In this chapter, the Lord raised up three judges to rescue the people of Israel from its enemies. The chapter begins, “The Lord left certain nations in the land to test those Iaraelites who had not participated in the wars of Canaan. He did this to teach warfare to generations of Israelites who had no experience in battle. These were the nations: the Philistines (those living under the five Philistine rulers), all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites living in the hill country of Lebanon from Mount Baal-hemon to Lebon-hamath. These people were left to test the Israelites -- to see whether they would obey the commands the Lord had given to their ancestors through Moses.
So Israel lived among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, and they intermarried with them. Israelite sons married their daughters, and Israelite daughters were given in marriage to their sons. And the Israelites worshiped their gods.” (Judges 3:1-6)
As a result, the Lord burned with anger against Israel, and He allowed King Cushan-rishathaim of Aram-naharaem to rule over them for eight years. “But when Israel cried out to the Lord for help, the Lord raised up a man to rescue them. His name was Othniel, the 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 Cushan-rishathaim of Aram, and the Lord gave Othniel victory over him. So there was peace in the land for forty years. Then Othniel son of Kenaz died.” (Judges 3:9-11)
Again, the Israelites did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, so the Lord allowed King Eglon of Moab to control the Israelites for eighteen years. “But when Israel cried out to the Lord for help, the Lord raised up a man to rescue them. His name was Ehud son of Gera, of the tribe of Benjamin, who was left-handed. The Israelites sent Ehud to deliver their tax money to King Eglon of Moab. So Ehud made himself a double-edged dagger that was eighteen inches long, and he strapped it to his right thigh, keeping it hidden under his clothing. He brought the tax money to Eglon, who was very fat.” (Judges 3:15-17)
After delivering the payment...he said, “I have a secret message for you.” So the king commanded his servants to be silent and sent them all out of the room. Ehud walked over to Eglon as he was sitting alone in a cool upstairs room and said, “I have a message for you from God!” As King Eglon rose from his seat, Ehud reached with his left hand, pulled out the dagger strapped to his right thigh, and plunged it into the king’s belly. The dagger went so deep that the handle disappeared beneath the king’s fat. So Ehud left the dagger in, and the king’s bowels emptied. Then Ehud closed and locked the doors and climbed down the latrine and escaped through the sewage access.” (Judges 3:19-23)
Ehud eventually gathered his troops and told his men that the Lord has given them victory over Moab. They attacked and conquered the Moabites, and the land was at peace for eighty years.
The chapter ends with Shamgar son of Anath becoming judge after Ehud.
Lord, thank you for your Word today! Thank you for continually loving and rescuing us even when we don’t deserve it. I recall one time in my life when I really needed you. I was at my lowest point, and I cried out to you. Your spirit fell on me and shook me, as if someone was standing next to me with their hands on my arm. In that very moment, a peace beyond all understanding came over me and you rescued me. Lord, thank you for revealing yourself to me! We love you!
May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.
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