Setting – Israel was in captivity, because of their disobedience to the Lord, and then delivered when they cried out to Him.
Content – God left some nations to teach (v. 2 NLT), “warfare to generations of Israelites who had no experience in battle”. Israel intermarried with the other nations and worshipped their idols. Because of this (v. 8 NLT), “Then the LORD burned with anger against Israel, and he handed them over to King Cushan-rishathaim” and were held under captivity of him for eight-years. Israel cried out for help, the Lord raised up Othniel, Caleb's younger brother, to be victories over the king. After this Israel lived in peace for 40 years. Once Othniel died, Israel returned to their evil and the Lord gave them over to King Eglon of Moab. They were subjected to Eglon for eight years.
The Lord rose up Ehud to kill the king and be victories (v. 29 NLT), “They attacked the Moabites and killed about ten thousand of their strongest and bravest warriors. Not one of them escaped.” Israel lived in peace for eight years. Then (v. 31 NLT), “After Ehud, Shamgar son of Anath rescued Israel. He killed six hundred Philistines with an ox goad.”
Application – If we don’t fully remove those things sins that hinder our blessing, then they will be a continual testing of our faith. If Israel had dispossessed the other nations, as God commanded them, then they would not have been tempted to worship their gods. Once Israel realized their consequences of their sin, which is being healed in captivity, they asked God for help. God once again helped Israel out of their sin.
Content – God left some nations to teach (v. 2 NLT), “warfare to generations of Israelites who had no experience in battle”. Israel intermarried with the other nations and worshipped their idols. Because of this (v. 8 NLT), “Then the LORD burned with anger against Israel, and he handed them over to King Cushan-rishathaim” and were held under captivity of him for eight-years. Israel cried out for help, the Lord raised up Othniel, Caleb's younger brother, to be victories over the king. After this Israel lived in peace for 40 years. Once Othniel died, Israel returned to their evil and the Lord gave them over to King Eglon of Moab. They were subjected to Eglon for eight years.
The Lord rose up Ehud to kill the king and be victories (v. 29 NLT), “They attacked the Moabites and killed about ten thousand of their strongest and bravest warriors. Not one of them escaped.” Israel lived in peace for eight years. Then (v. 31 NLT), “After Ehud, Shamgar son of Anath rescued Israel. He killed six hundred Philistines with an ox goad.”
Application – If we don’t fully remove those things sins that hinder our blessing, then they will be a continual testing of our faith. If Israel had dispossessed the other nations, as God commanded them, then they would not have been tempted to worship their gods. Once Israel realized their consequences of their sin, which is being healed in captivity, they asked God for help. God once again helped Israel out of their sin.
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