Judges Chapter 3: God’s Gift of Salvation

Reflections from Judges Chapter 3:

Choosing God over Self

 

Scripture

Read Judges Chapter 3

Key Scripture:

 ^“But when they cried out to the Lord, he raised up for them a deliverer, Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, who saved them.” Judges 3:9

 

JUDGES CHAPTER 3: Observation

In Judges chapter 3, we are introduced to the first three Judges of Israel: Othniel, Ehud and Shamgar.

 

The Israelites did not drive out the Canaanites, so God left the pagan nations in the Promised Land to teach the new generations how to engage in warfare.

 

The Israelites cohabited with their neighboring nations and turned their backs to the Lord’s commands. They began to assimilate into their sinful idol-worshipping culture. Consequently, God allowed them to reap the fruit of their sins. In His anger, God sold them into captivity to a pagan king. After eight years of suffering, they cried out to Him for help. God chose Othniel as their first Judge, and he saved them from captivity.

 

Right after Othniel died, the Israelites returned to their evil ways. So again, God allowed them to be defeated by Eglon, king of Moab. After eighteen years, they returned to their senses and cried to God for mercy. This time, He chooses an unlikely Judge, Ehud, a left-handed man who uses a combination of trickery, bravery, and savviness to deliver them from bondage.

 

We are not told much about Shamgar except that he single-handedly killed six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad to deliver Israel from captivity.

 

JUDGES CHAPTER 3: Application

Just like God did not drive out the Canaanite nations for Israel, He allows us to go through situations that will test the genuineness of our faith. These experiences enable us to develop Christ-like character and obey Him irrespective of our circumstances.

 

^“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”  James 1:2-4

 

Because of their sin, God sold the Israelites into the hands of their enemies. Still, He used multiple Judges to save them from captivity when they turned to Him for help. The salvation the Judges brought the Israelites was a dim reflection of the awesome gift of salvation we have through Jesus Christ.

 

God does not ignore our sins or pretend they don’t exist. There are consequences for sin. When the people of Israel continued in their sins, God justly judged them. Romans 6:23 states, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Eternal death is the consequence for our sins.

 

We were all born into this world guilty of sin, enslaved by sin, and separated from God (Romans  3:23; Romans 5:12; Isaiah 59:2). Because of sin, we were all held in captivity to Satan, and spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1-4). But thanks be to God who provided His gift of salvation through Jesus Christ (John 3:16).

 

God does not want anyone to perish in their sins. He would rather everyone repent and turn to Him for forgiveness (2 Peter 3:9).  He is so merciful and willing to forgive everyone who comes to Him in repentance.

 

Those who repent of their sins and turn to Jesus Christ, believing and confessing Him as Savior and Lord, are assured of God’s promise that their sins are forgiven (Romans 10:9-10; Acts 3:19). God gives us a place of honor in His Kingdom and blesses us with eternal life instead of the death we all deserve (John 20:31).

 

Salvation is not based on our conduct or good works (we will never qualify), but on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. But after we are saved, God expects us to obey Him out of the faith we have in Christ (Ephesians 2:8-10).

 

Our lives should reflect the character of Jesus Christ as we consistently yield to the Word of God and obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit. We are to live holy lives out of reverence for God (2 Corinthians 7:1).  In his letter to believers, Peter wrote,

 

^“Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.” 1 Peter 1:17

 

If we continue to live a lifestyle of sin and refuse to repent, we can expect that God, as an impartial Judge, will judge our actions (Hebrews 10:29-31; Galatians 6:7-8).

 

Questions for Reflection

• How do you respond when circumstances test your faith?
• Do you know God as an impartial Judge?
• Have you received God’s gift of salvation?
• If so, are you living a lifestyle of holiness and obedience to God’s Word?

 

Prayer

Lord, I am truly grateful for Your gift of salvation. I commit to be consistent in my relationship and devotion to You as I live a lifestyle of holiness and obedience to Your Word. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

 

 

 

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Except where indicated, Scriptures are taken from the NIV.

© 2021. Reflections from Judges Chapter 3. Chizobam Idahosa @Beautiful in Jesus.