To kick off a new season of MOMS, our Minister for Women, Pam Larson unpacks this year's theme verse:

But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”

—Lamentations 3:21–24

Three Keys for Reading Judges:

1—Remember, you have a King!

2—Remember, Judges depicts Israel’s downward spiral into moral collapse.

3—Remember, there is always reason to hope:

• Unity between the Tribes
• God-appointed Judge ruling in Israel
• Israel cries out to the Lord
• Israel gives God glory for their salvation
• Israel seeks God’s guidance before acting
• God pities his people
• The undercurrent of kingship

Dr. David Howard helps us get an overarching sense of the book of Judges as we head into our study this Fall. He begins with the theme of the book—the downward spiral of Israel’s national and spiritual life into chaos and apostasy, showing the need for a godly king to lead it—and helps us to see how it was written in order to show the consequences of religious apostasy and to point the way to a king, who, if he were righteous, would lead the people to God.

Dr. Howard teaches Old Testament and Hebrew courses in the M.Div. and M.A. programs at Bethlehem College and Seminary. Previously, he taught for 28 years at Bethel Seminary, where he is now Professor of Old Testament Emeritus.