January 21, 2024

In Judges 3, we have the account of the first three judges. It had been quite a while since Israel had trouble, and because few of them had seen war, they became complacent. Many married into the Canaanite families that they hadn’t driven out as God had commanded, and they began worshipping their idols.  

Othniel: The king of Mesopotamia oppressed Israel for eight years, and they cried to God for help. “And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgat the LORD their God, and served Baalim and the groves. Judges 3:7.” The spirit of the Lord came upon Othniel, Caleb’s son-in-law; he judged Israel and went to war, he overcame that king, and they had peace for forty years, then he died. 

Ehud: For 18 years, Elgon, king of Moab, oppressed the Israelites, so they cried to the Lord for help, and he raised up Ehud to deliver them. Ehud made a double-edged dagger, hid it on his thigh, and went and met with the Moabite king. His attendants left the room, and Ehud thrust the dagger into the king’s belly. He was so fat that the dagger disappeared in it, and Ehud was able to get away before they even knew he was dead. The Ehud led Israel to war against Moab, and they killed 10000. None escaped. They had no more trouble for 80 years. This story has much more; read it if you have time. “And Ehud put forth his left hand, and took the dagger from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly: And the haft also went in after the blade; and the fat closed upon the blade so that he could not draw the dagger out of his belly; and the dirt came out. Judges 3:21-22”

Shamgar: After him was Shamgar the son of Anath, who killed 600 of the Philistines with an oxgoad, and he also saved Israel. Judges 3:31

The point of today’s message is not to become complacent. God will use whatever means necessary to draw your attention back to Him, even if that means oppression or war. Keep your eyes on Jesus at all times.