JUDGES 3
Read Judges 3:1-6
The text begins by reminding us that the Israelites failed to obey the Lord’s command to drive out the enemy from the Promised Land (Dt 7:1-2). The consequence of their disobedience is that the Lord will use these enemies to test the obedience of the Israelites in the future. Paul (Romans 1:24-28) tells us that often God’s judgement on our sin is to let us continue in that sin and to suffer the consequences. We also read in v6 that the Israelites lived among the other peoples and inter-married with them, again contrary to the specific instruction the Lord gave them (Dt 7:3).
Read Judges 3:7-31
Now we meet the first three of the Judges: Othniel, Ehud and Shamgar. We don’t get to learn much about them as individuals, but we do see the circumstances in which they are called to serve the Lord. We now see in action the cycle of events that Chapter 2 outlined for us. The Israelites do evil in the eyes of the Lord by worshipping other gods; the Lord in his anger empowers the enemy to oppress the Israelites. Then the Israelites remember the Lord and cry out on distress. The Lord raises up a deliverer, called a Judge, who brings peace and stability. That is a summary of the situation in which we see Othniel and Ehud serving the Lord. Shamgar is not much more than a footnote but he too saved Israel we are told in v31.
We read that Othniel was raised up by the Lord and that the Spirit of the Lord came upon him. Othniel is a divinely appointed vehicle of deliverance. This is the Lord at work again saving his people, enabling and empowering. Ehud, too, delivered the Israelites in this rather gruesome story of him killing the king of Moab.
These stories are positive in that we see the oppressors overcome and peace coming upon God’s people. But Othniel and Ehud are inadequate as saviours. If we take a quick look at the beginning of Chapter 4, we read that after Ehud died, the Israelites turned again to sin. Their hearts had not really been turned away from evil, they were not released from the bondage of sin and they returned to their wicked ways as soon as they could.
These Judges were unable to bring a lasting freedom to the people of God. But we can thank the Lord that he has given us a saviour who can give us eternal freedom from the effects of sin. Othniel and Ehud (and possibly Shamgar) could bring only temporary relief from oppression in this life. Jesus can bring relief from the burden of sin, not only for this life, but for all eternity.