Judges 3:7-31
Dear RTB’ers,
The geography might be a bit confusing. When we left Joshua, Israel had possession of the Promised Land plus the Trans-Jordan land where Reuben, Gad and one-half of Manasseh lived. We also learned two days ago that Israel did not drive out all the inhabitants of the land, but that in fact the Israelites intermarried with them and served their Baals and Ashtaroth. Now as we read Judges, it is confusing (at least to me) whether the judges become deliverers for all of Israel (including the Trans-Jordan people) or if they are regional deliverers. We will not see that confusion today, however, with the first two judges in today’s reading.
Othniel is the first of the major judges. (NOTE: The STS introduction to Judges mentioned twelve judges, six of whom who “received extended mention” (the “major” judges) and six other judges whom they referred to as the “minor judges”.) We met Othniel earlier in Judges 1:12-15. He was Caleb’s nephew who conquered Kiriath-Sepher and was given Caleb’s daughter as his wife. Now he becomes Israel’s deliverer from their servitude to the king of Mesopotamia (the land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers). Because Mesopotamia is many miles removed from the Promised Land, we have to assume that God’s deliverance through Othniel applies to all of Israel.
The same can be said of His deliverance through Ehud. Initially we read that Israel is defeated by a neighboring nation, Moab, in league with two other “peoples”, the Ammonites and the Amalekites. God raises up Ehud, our second major judge. He assassinates Moab’s king and then leads Israel into battle. We read of 10,000 Moabites dead, so it is clear to me that we have a national war – all of Israel up against these three neighboring nations.
Finally, we meet Shamgar, our first minor judge, who does battle with the Philistines. So I’m wondering if this is a regional deliverance, although the author does say that Shamgar “also saved Israel” (v. 3:31).
Three judges down, nine to go!
Blessings!