Judges Othniel and Ehud

Judges Chapter 3

The Lord left certain nations in the land to test the Israelites who had not participated in the wars. He did this to teach warfare to generations of Israelites who had no experience in battle. The nations of Philistines, Canaanites, Sidonians and Hivites were left to test the Israelites. So Israel lived among these nations and intermarried with them and gradually worshiped their gods. Thus began a cycle of sinning, worshipping idols, being punished, crying out for help, and being rescued by God, obeying him for awhile, then falling back into idolotry.

The Isrealites did what was evil in God's eyes. And the Lord burned with anger against them and handed the people over to King Cushan-rishathaim of Aram-naharaim for eight years. Then when they cried out, the Lord raised up a man to rescue them. He was Othniel, son of Caleb's younger brother, Kenaz. The Spirit of the Lord came upon him and he became Israel's judge. He went to war against king Chush-rishathaim of Aram and the Lord gave him victory. So there was peace for forty years, until Othniel died.

Once again the Israelites did what was evil in the Lord's sight, so he gave King Eglon of Moab control over the people. Together with the Ammonites and Amalekites, Eglon attacked Israel, took Jericho and the Israelites were subject to Egalon for 18 years. But when they cried out for help, the lord raised up a man to rescue them. His name was Ehud, son of Gera, tribe of Benjamin, who was left handed (considered a weakness in those days).

The Israelites sent Ehud to deliver their tax money to King Eglon, so Ehud made a double edged dagger and hid it under his clothing. Ehud told the king he had a secret message for him and the servants were sent away from the room. Then Ehud stabbed the king with his special double edged dagger, locked the doors and climbed down the latrine and escaped. The kings sevants found the doors locked and so they waited, but after a long delay, they got a key and opened the door. Meanwhile Ehud had escaped to the hill country of Ephraim and told the Israelites to follow him to a victory over Moab. They took control of the shallows of the Jordan River, preventing anyone from crossing. They attacked the Moabites and killed thousands. So Moab was conquered that day by Israel and land was at peace for eighty years.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: God used Ehud's being left-handedness to bring
victory. Ehud's murder of King Eglon is shocking and graphic (see vereses 21-23). Ehud had strengths and accomplishments such as: he was the second judge of Israel.He was a man of direct action, a frontline leader. He used a perceived weakness (left handedness) to do a great work for God. He lead the revolt against Moab and gave Israel 80 years of peace. Lessons from his life: some conditions call for radical action. God responds to the cry of repentance. God is always ready to use our unique qualities to accomplish his work.

How does this chapter relate to us today? God left nations and enemies for the Israelites to conquer. Has he left obstacles in your life, hostile people, baffling problems? These were put there in order to allow you to handle them. God is testing your faith. And now we know that like the Israelites, our relationships can affect our faith. The Israelites intermarried with the pagans and gradually they began to accept the immoral practices associated with the pagans. A similar danger can affect us. We want to befriend those who don't know God. But through helping, we can often become entangled in unhealthy practices. Being friends is one thing, but we must not compromise or adopt patterns of their behavior.

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH: Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents, Logan and the newly born Stella who is taking mother’s milk now and Lori (who suffered a terrible accident)and her family. Update on Stella: Her parents have been called to conference with doctors because her lungs continue to be a serious problem. Pray for her, please and her parents too.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, those who need jobs, those who are about to lose or have lost their homes. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.