Judges 3: Navigating Temptation and Deliverance Through Faith

Executive Summary ✨

Judges 3 unveils the cyclical pattern of Israel’s disobedience, oppression, repentance, and deliverance through divinely appointed judges. The chapter introduces us to Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar, each chosen by God to liberate Israel from foreign rule after they turned away from Him. This chapter emphasizes that the struggles within the human heart against temptation are real and persistent, just as the external battles faced by Israel were. It also reminds us that God’s grace is always available to those who truly repent and turn back to Him. The stories of these judges highlight different aspects of faith and courage, offering timeless lessons for overcoming personal and societal challenges. The **deliverance through faith** is not a one-time event, but a continuous journey of repentance, reliance on God, and obedience to His commandments.

Judges 3 sets the stage for the recurring narrative of the Book of Judges: Israel’s unfaithfulness leads to oppression, which then drives them to cry out to God, prompting Him to raise up a deliverer. The chapter serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of unwavering faith and obedience in the face of temptation and adversity. It also shows that God uses ordinary people, empowered by His Spirit, to accomplish extraordinary things. We can learn much from these first judges, Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar, about how to trust in God’s provision and strength, even when the odds seem insurmountable.

Commentary on Judges 3 📖

Judges 3:1-4: The Test of Disobedience

“Now these are the nations which the Lord left, that He might test Israel by them, that is, all who had not known any of the wars of Canaan (only that the generations of the children of Israel might be taught to know war, at least those who had not known it previously): namely, five lords of the Philistines, all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites who dwelt in Mount Lebanon, from Mount Baal Hermon to the entrance of Hamath. And they were left, that He might test Israel by them, to know whether they would obey the commandments of the Lord, which He had commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses. So the children of Israel dwelt among the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. And they took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their daughters to their sons; and they served their gods.” (Judges 3:1-6, NKJV)

Here we see God’s sovereign purpose even in the presence of disobedience. The nations were left to test Israel’s faithfulness. It was not God’s intention that Israel should intermingle with these nations, but rather maintain their separation and purity, reflecting His own holiness. This mingling led directly to idolatry and a departure from the covenant. This passage echoes a sentiment expressed by St. Athanasius: “Οὐκοῦν οὕτως ὁ Θεὸς παιδαγωγεῖ τὸ ἀνθρώπινον γένος, ἵνα διὰ τῶν αἰσθητῶν εἰς τὰ νοητὰ ἀναγάγῃ.” (“Therefore, God educates the human race in this way, so that through the sensible things He may lead them to the intelligible ones.” – *Contra Gentes*, 46).

• Spiritual Application: We must be vigilant against the influences of the world that can lead us away from Christ. Maintaining our spiritual boundaries is crucial for preserving our faith and obedience. Temptation is ever-present.

Judges 3:7-11: Othniel – Deliverance Through Faith 💡

“So the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord. They forgot the Lord their God, and served the Baals and Asherahs. Therefore the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and He sold them into the hand of Cushan-Rishathaim king of Mesopotamia; and the children of Israel served Cushan-Rishathaim eight years. When the children of Israel cried out to the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer for the children of Israel, who delivered them: Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother. The Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he judged Israel. He went out to war, and the Lord delivered Cushan-Rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Cushan-Rishathaim. Then the land had rest for forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died.” (Judges 3:7-11, NKJV)

Othniel is presented as a deliverer raised by God after Israel’s repentance. His story highlights the importance of acknowledging our sin and turning back to God. The fact that “the Spirit of the Lord came upon him” emphasizes that Othniel’s victory was not due to his own strength or skill, but to the power of God working through him. Mesopotamia, from which Cushan-Rishathaim came, represented a powerful and oppressive empire. Othniel’s victory demonstrated God’s ability to overcome even the mightiest adversaries. Just as Israel sought **deliverance through faith**, we, too, can find freedom from the bondage of sin and temptation by turning to God in repentance.

• Spiritual Application: Repentance is the key to experiencing God’s deliverance. We must be willing to confess our sins and turn away from them in order to receive His forgiveness and grace.
• Connection to Church Teaching: The sacrament of confession (Penance) in the Coptic Orthodox Church embodies this principle, offering us a path to reconciliation with God and restoration of our spiritual health.

Judges 3:12-30: Ehud – A Left-Handed Savior ⚔️

“And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord. So the Lord strengthened Eglon king of Moab against Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the Lord. Then he gathered to himself the people of Ammon and Amalek, went and defeated Israel, and took possession of the City of Palm Trees. So the children of Israel served Eglon king of Moab eighteen years. But when the children of Israel cried out to the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer for them: Ehud the son of Gera, the Benjamite, a left-handed man. By him the children of Israel sent tribute to Eglon king of Moab. Ehud made himself a dagger (it was double-edged and a cubit in length) and fastened it under his clothes on his right thigh. So he brought the tribute to Eglon king of Moab. Now Eglon was a very fat man. And when he had finished presenting the tribute, he sent away the people who had carried the tribute. But he himself turned back from the stone images that were at Gilgal, and said, “I have a secret message for you, O king.” Then the king said, “Keep silence.” And all who attended him went out. So Ehud came to him; and he was sitting alone in his upper room. Then Ehud said, “I have a message from God for you.” So he arose from his seat. Then Ehud reached with his left hand, took the dagger from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly. The handle also went in after the blade, and the fat closed over the blade, for he did not draw the dagger out of his belly. Then Ehud went out through the porch and shut the doors of the upper room behind him and locked them. When he had gone out, Eglon’s servants came to look, and to their surprise, the doors of the upper room were locked. So they said, “He is probably attending to his needs in the cool chamber.” So they waited till they were embarrassed; but when he did not open the doors of the upper room, they took the key and opened them. And there was their master, fallen dead on the floor. Ehud escaped while they delayed, and passed beyond the stone images and escaped to Seirah. And it happened, when he arrived, that he blew the trumpet in the mountains of Ephraim, and the children of Israel went down with him from the mountains; and he led them. Then he said to them, “Follow me, for the Lord has delivered your enemies, the Moabites, into your hand.” So they went down after him, and killed the Moabites; about ten thousand men. Not a man escaped. So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. And the land had rest for eighty years.” (Judges 3:12-30, NKJV)

Ehud’s story is filled with intrigue and demonstrates that God can use unconventional individuals and methods to accomplish His purposes. Ehud, being left-handed, used this “disadvantage” to his advantage, concealing the dagger on his right thigh. The fact that Eglon was “a very fat man” adds a touch of dark humor, but also emphasizes the completeness of Ehud’s victory. Ehud’s actions, while violent, were a means of liberating Israel from oppressive rule. This passage demonstrates the lengths to which God goes to protect His people. We also see the importance of obedience and acting upon God’s instruction. The message from God, delivered by Ehud, literally brought about a major change in the life of the people of Israel. The story of Ehud echoes the words of St. Cyril of Alexandria: “Ὅτι οὐ δύναται θεὸς πειρασθῆναι κακοῖς.” (“That God cannot be tempted by evil.” – *Commentary on John*, Book 1, Ch. 3)

• Spiritual Application: God can use our weaknesses for His glory. What we perceive as a disadvantage may be precisely what God uses to achieve His purposes. We must be willing to step out in faith, trusting that God will equip us for the task He has called us to.
• Environmental Context: The “City of Palm Trees” (likely Jericho) was a strategically important location, controlling access to the Jordan River. Its capture by Moab demonstrated the extent of their dominance over Israel.

Judges 3:31: Shamgar – A One-Man Army 🌾

“After him was Shamgar the son of Anath, who killed six hundred men of the Philistines with an ox goad; and he also delivered Israel.” (Judges 3:31, NKJV)

Shamgar’s story, though brief, is powerful. He is an example of someone who used what he had at hand – an ox goad – to defend his people. He killed 600 Philistines. The ox goad, a simple agricultural tool, became a weapon of deliverance in his hands. Shamgar’s act shows that God can use anyone, regardless of their background or resources, to achieve His purposes. This story also illustrates the importance of being ready to defend our faith and our communities, even when we feel ill-equipped. Just as Shamgar took up his ox goad, we must be willing to use the gifts and talents God has given us to serve Him and others.

• Spiritual Application: We do not need to be “super-Christians” to make a difference. God can use our ordinary skills and resources to accomplish extraordinary things. We must be willing to step up and serve Him with what we have.
• Historical Context: The Philistines were a constant threat to Israel during the period of the Judges. Shamgar’s victory provided a temporary reprieve from their aggression.
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Subtopic: The Cycle of Sin and Deliverance 🔄

The stories in Judges 3 illustrate a recurring pattern: Israel sins, God punishes them, they repent, and God delivers them. This cycle highlights the consequences of disobedience and the importance of repentance and faith.

• Disobedience: Israel repeatedly turned away from God and served other gods.
• Oppression: As a result of their disobedience, God allowed them to be oppressed by foreign nations.
• Repentance: In their distress, they cried out to God for help.
• Deliverance: God raised up judges to deliver them from their oppressors.
• Rest: After deliverance, the land had rest for a period of time, until the cycle began again.

FAQ ❓

Q: Why did God allow Israel to be oppressed?

A: God allowed Israel to be oppressed as a consequence of their disobedience and idolatry. This was not a sign of His abandonment, but rather a form of discipline intended to lead them back to Him. He wanted them to learn from their mistakes and return to a faithful relationship with Him.

Q: What does it mean that the Spirit of the Lord came upon Othniel?

A: The phrase “the Spirit of the Lord came upon” indicates that God empowered Othniel with His divine presence and strength, enabling him to accomplish what he could not have done on his own. It signifies that he was acting under God’s direct guidance and authority.

Q: Are the violent acts of Ehud and Shamgar justified?

A: The actions of Ehud and Shamgar are complex and must be understood within their historical and cultural context. While the Bible does not explicitly endorse violence, it portrays their actions as acts of liberation that were necessary to protect Israel from oppression. Ultimately, God used their actions to bring about His purposes.

Q: How can we apply the lessons of Judges 3 to our lives today?

A: We can learn from Judges 3 the importance of remaining faithful to God in the face of temptation, the need for repentance when we sin, and the assurance that God will always be there to deliver us when we call upon Him. We can also learn to use our God-given talents and abilities to serve Him and others, just as Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar did.

Conclusion 🕊️

Judges 3 offers a powerful lesson in the enduring nature of human weakness and the boundless grace of God. The **deliverance through faith** experienced by Israel through Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar serves as a testament to God’s unwavering commitment to His people, even in their darkest moments. The cyclical pattern of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance reminds us that our spiritual journey is not always a straight path, but a process of constant turning back to God. Just as God raised up these unlikely heroes to liberate Israel, He continues to work through ordinary people today, empowering them with His Spirit to overcome challenges and bring hope to a world in need. Let us strive to remain vigilant against temptation, quick to repent of our sins, and confident in God’s unfailing love and deliverance.

Tags

Judges, Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar, Israel, Deliverance, Faith, Repentance, Obedience, Temptation

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Explore Judges 3 verse by verse. Discover the spiritual lessons of Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar and how their faith delivered Israel. Find **deliverance through faith** today!