“And the people of Israel cried out to the Lord, and the Lord raised up for them a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, the Benjaminite, a left-handed man. The people of Israel sent tribute by him to Eglon the king of Moab.”
Judges 3:15
Summary
Judges chapter 3 recounts the cycle of Israel's disobedience and oppression, followed by divine deliverance. The Israelites, having settled in the Promised Land, forget the Lord and intermarry with surrounding nations, leading to their oppression by foreign rulers. God raises up judges to deliver the people, marking the beginning of this cycle of sin, suffering, supplication, and salvation. The chapter specifically mentions Othniel, who delivers Israel from oppression by Cushan-Rishathaim, and Ehud, who cleverly assassinates the Moabite king Eglon and leads Israel to a decisive victory. This chapter emphasizes God's faithfulness in raising leaders despite Israel's failures, illustrating a key theme of God's persistent grace toward His people even in their rebellion.