Judges are military leaders that God uses to save Israel from their enemies, but they aren’t necessarily paragons of virtue! Mesopotamia was in the north, and they oppressed Israel for 8 years because of their sin and idolatry. Then they cried out to God for deliverance, and He raised up Othniel from Judah to set them free. As a result, the land was at rest for 40 years.
Next came Moab, who they served for 18 years. But when Israel cried out for help, God raised up Ehud, from the tribe of Benjamin. He assassinated the king, made his escape, and rallied the tribe of Ephraim to defeat their enemies. Then the land was at rest for 80 years.
We know very little about Shamgar, other than he killed 600 Philistines with an ox goad (a wooden stick that is approximately 8 feet long with an iron spike at one end). Josephus reports this episode lasted less than a year.
Thought for the day: Thankfully God is just as faithful to help us when we call out to Him.
1 John 1:9 (WEB) “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
