First Three Judges Series

Text: Judges 3, Theme: First Three Judges

Othniel (Judges 3:8-11):

The First Judge (Judges 1:13). Othniel was the first judge mentioned in this book – here and in the section known as the cycles of the Judges. And he got married to Achsah. He was famous even during Joshua's time. He was used by God to lead the Israelites into battle against the Mesopotamians and to defeat them. Israel is at peace for forty 40 years, for a full generation, and until Othniel died (Judges 3:7–11). The Spirit of the Lord came upon Othniel. The Spirit of wisdom and courage to qualify him for the service, and the Spirit of power to excite him to it. He first reproved Israel and reformed them, and then went to war. Othniel first attained influence among the people through his righteous life and consistent character.

Ehud (Judges 3:12-30):

He was a Benjaminite. The tribe of Benjamin is a "wolf." The tribe of Benjamin was eventually known for their mighty left-handed warriors. Ehud is also said to be a left-handed man. Ehud leads a delegation sent to present a tribute to Eglon, king of Moab, at his palace in Jericho. Ehud makes a special dagger and secures it to his thigh, under his clothes. After presenting the tribute, Ehud killed Eglon (Judges 3:16–22). Ehud’s victory over the Moabites took place in the lower Jordan Valley, right near the northern end of the Dead Sea, on the far eastern side of Israelite territory.

Shamgar (Judges 3:31):

Scholars note this name might imply a Canaanite or Egyptian, rather than an Israelite. The verse does not explicitly say that Shamgar knowingly fought on behalf of Israel. Shamgar is the first minor judge. He’s the son of Anath. Anath could be his father’s name (Judges 5:6a). Shamgar is an unknown judge. It is like he comes out of nowhere, does what he does, and disappears almost without a trace. Shamgar is a man of mystery.

The background of the Philistines will help us to understand the dynamism of the enemies and the effect of the Judges. Philistines came by sea from the west, they came from Crete and the surrounding areas in the Aegean Sea. They arrived in Canaan after an unsuccessful attempt to enter Egypt. They settled in the coastal area of southern Canaan and established a federation of five major city-states: Ashdod, Ashkelon, Ekron, Gath, and Gaza.

Shamgar killed 600 Philistines with a pretty unusual instrument of an ox goad. Shamgar did not kill Moabites like Ehud or Mesopotamians like Othniel but he killed the Philistines. He probably lived around the coast of the Mediterranean Sea where the Philistines lived. The tribes around there were Judah, Simeon, Dan, Ephraim, and Benjamin. So, it’s likely that he was from one of those tribes.

This brief one-verse history of Shamgar should make us thankful that no one is too obscure or too tainted for God to use. Shamgar helped the 80-year rest that Ehud had won for Israel from being disrupted by a Philistine incursion against the Israelites. He might have been a peasant farmer because of his weapon the ox goad. God's requirement for usefulness in His kingdom work is not ABILITY but AVAILABILITY.

Conclusion:

First conquer yourself, then you will conquer everything, even that of the worst enemies.

Discussion:

What are the similarities and differences we can learn from these three Judges?

(Ref: Enduring Word Commentary; Matthew Henry; Explaining to the Books: Judges; Joebeard; Austin Precept)