Judges 3
I frequently hear questions pertaining to bad things happening to good people. I often respond with a return question about why people are good. The conversation to follow is always fascinating. Truthfully, people want to know why bad things happen to them.
Specifically, why does God allow struggles, tension, trials, hardship, stresses, and etc.? Additionally, people want to know why the same patterns happen over and over.
I think Judges 3 gives three reasons (vv.1-6) for us to consider.
The Lord had left a handful of nations inside the boundaries given to Israel. Throughout Judges, we discover these relationships were not healthy. There were struggles, tension, trials, stressful seasons and so on. God tells us exactly why they were left.
To test Israel. A test not only reveals what we have learned, but it also brings into the light what we need to learn better. Tests reveal whether we are teachable. God will bring tests into our life to recall what we have learned and to check our teachability for the future. Some tests are easy. Some tests are difficult. Embrace each test because God has your best interest in mind.
To teach Israel. An entire generation is gone because of the fiasco with the twelve spies. This younger generation needed to learn how to fight for what God had called them into. God has given each of us a mission that we need to learn how to fight for its completion. We’re not good at fighting for God’s mission. We need to be taught how to continue in his path.
To reveal the character of Israel. Would Israel obey or not? Would they continue following the commandments of the Lord? Would they do what they knew was right? We don’t have to reach far to find the application in this reason.
We need to reach far to implement the application. Further than many are willing to reach, which is why the book of Judges tells the story it does.
Chapter 3 covers two Judges, Othniel and Ehud. Othniel is the brother of Caleb and a powerful leader inside the tribe of Judah. Judges 1:2 says the tribe of Judah will conquer first and Othniel as the first judge is not by coincidence. Ehud is from the tribe of Benjamin, the smallest tribe of Israel. He is also left-handed, signifying weakness by many standards until recent history.
The point is that God uses all types of people to accomplish his mission. If you’re pursuing God’s mission, you’re on the right path. If not, you’re walking the path of Israel. They did evil in the sight of Lord and needed deliverance.
Please consider three paths deliverance takes in each of our lives.
Deliverance comes after judgment. Americans want to arrive at deliverance without talking about judgment. You cannot have one without the other. When I do evil, as defined by God, I sin. When I sin, judgment must follow. Scripture is clear about the steps. Only after I am judged, even for a season, can deliverance appear in my life.
Deliverance removes the source of my judgment. As the judge brings deliverance to Israel, the physical source of the judgment is removed from the picture. If this were not the case, deliverance is a false hope. Othniel prevailed, meaning he overpowered to gain victory. Ehud subdued, meaning he brought under control. We treat sin that way. There are times when we allow the deliverance to gain victory. There are other times our appetite wants the deliverance to bring our sin and judgment under control but gain victory.
Deliverance brings rest. We like rest and peace. I appreciate the stillness of the morning before my family wakes up for many reasons. Deliverance restores the brokenness in our life and brings rest to our surface. We need the path deliverance brings more than we realize.
I want to encourage you to evaluate your life and look for the tests God has allowed – don’t confuse them with temptations. Are you teachable? Are you living God’s mission in that area?
Do you need to experience deliverance in your life today? I hope you’ll spend a few minutes talking to God today about how you can experience more of His rest today.