Judges Chapter Three: The Three Judges Raised by God

The first judge, Othniel (Judges 3:1-11), was a judge filled with the Spirit of God.

1. And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD. They forgot the LORD their God and served the Baals and the Asheroth. Therefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia. And the people of Israel served Cushan-rishathaim eight years. (Judges 3:7-8).

• Forgetting God was the fatal wound of the Israelites in their faith. They often did what was evil in God’s eyes because they often forgot God. When people forget God, they drift away from God, and even sever their relationship with God. As a result, they gradually draw closer to sin and even worship idols.

• Do we often forget God too? Does God still have a place in our hearts? Are we drifting away from God?

2. But when the people of Israel cried out to the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer for the people of Israel, who saved them. (Judges 3:9)

• This savior was Othniel (v9), and The Spirit of the LORD was upon him, and he judged Israel. He went out to war, and the LORD gave Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand. And his hand prevailed over Cushan-rishathaim. So the land had rest forty years. Then Othniel the son of Kenaz died. (Judges 3:10-11).

• Othniel was able to save the Israelites from the enemy’s hands because the Spirit of God descended on him. The Spirit of God being upon Othniel is similar to when the Lord said to the apostles: But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. (Acts 1:8)*Therefore, we must be filled with the Spirit of God like Othniel, and only then can we have the power to preach the gospel to save those who believe and have the strength to overcome all enemies. Just as God said to Zerubbabel, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit”.

The second judge, Ehud (Judges 3:12-30), was a judge who used a two-edged sword.

1. And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, and the LORD strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done what was evil in the sight of the LORD. (Judges 3:12). And the people of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years. (Judges 3:14).

• Forty years after the land had rest (Judges 3:11), the Israelites did what was evil in the eyes of the Lord and were oppressed by the enemy for another 18 years.

• It can be seen that times of peace are often a breeding ground for people to commit sin, just as it is said: “Lechery springs from warmth and nourishment.” 

• Therefore, one must remain watchful and self-controlled in the grace of God. If we fall from grace by indulging in the lusts of our flesh, we are only looking for trouble because when pleasure and enjoyment is taken to extremes, it will only end in sorrow.

2. Then the people of Israel cried out to the LORD, and the LORD raised up for them a deliverer, Ehud, the son of Gera, the Benjaminite, a left-handed man. The people of Israel sent tribute by him to Eglon the king of Moab. And Ehud made for himself a sword with two edges, a cubit in length, and he bound it on his right thigh under his clothes. (Judges 3:15-16). Ehud used this two-edged sword to stab the King of Moab to death (Judges 3:17-23).

• In addition to making good use of a two-edged sword, Ehud’s success was also due to his wisdom and courage. He bravely killed the King of Moab alone, and he was also very quick-witted, using a secret message as an excuse to make the king send everyone out from him, so that he had a chance to strike.

• Today, when we deal with the enemy, we must also make good use of the two-edged sword, which is the Word of God, as Heb 4:12 says: For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

• We also need to be both wise and courageous, just as the Lord said to his disciples: “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” (Matt 10:16)

The third judge, Shamgar (Judges 3:31), was a judge who used an ox goad.

1. 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).

• There is only a short record of Shamgar’s deeds. It is so short that no one will notice him and what he did, but God took note of it and valued what he had done. Therefore, God’s Spirit moved the author to record this heroic incident of Shamgar who killed six hundred men of the Philistines with an oxgoad. 

2. So the Bible encourages us:

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Cor 15:58)

For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. (Heb 6:10)

• If even one who took care of livestock was used by God to save God’s people from the hands of powerful enemies, then let us not say we are useless, instead ask ourselves – do we want to be used by God?
• An ox goad could kill six hundred enemies, so don’t underestimate yourself just because you only have an inconspicuous ox goad in your hand, and not a sword or spear. David said: “The LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD’s.” (1 Sam 17:47) 

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