Day 104 – Othniel, Ehud & Shamgar

• Let’s start looking at Israel’s judges! The bible references twelve different people (eleven men and one woman) who do this role, and we’ll meet several of them this week. Today it’s the turn of three of the lesser-known ones, Othniel, Ehud and Shamgar.
• The passages start by explaining that it’s part of God’s plan (even though it was the sin of the people that made it so) that foreigners would still be in the land. God used their sin to test the people to see if they would remain faithful to him. Don’t forget, these are not the same people who were rescued out of Egypt, certainly by the time we get to the story of Ehud, it’s likely most wouldn’t remember the time in the wilderness either.
• As you read about the judges, remember that God remained repeatedly faithful to the Israelite people (by giving them judges to help defeat their enemies), even when the Israelites forget about God time after time.
• Who was the first judge, Othniel, related to? Do you think it made a difference that he had this relation?
• How long did the Israelites suffer before this judge was given to them? When Othniel had defeated the people in Cushan-rishathaim how long did they have peace in the land? Keep an eye on these dates, because time starts to pass very quickly as the verses go on!
• The story of Ehud, when I was a slightly more mischievous youngster, was one of my absolute favourite stories in the bible. Maybe you liked it too. I loved the idea of the super-fat king Eglon being stabbed on the toilet whilst his embarrassed attendants waited outside. But this humorous tale happens amidst more suffering for the people. How long did they suffer before Ehud came, and how much peace did they have after?
• Did you notice where Eglon came from? Where have you heard the name of this city so far in your readings?
• The story of Shamgar is very short. Why might you think this is?
• Why do you think God waited as long as He did each time before sending judges?
• Which is your favourite story of those today? How will you remember them in a few months’ time?
• The verse in Psalms says that if we call out to God, and He helps us, we should give glory to God for that. That seems fair! Can you ever think of a time when God gave you something and you never thanked Him for His goodness? Perhaps now is a good time to pray about that and to thank Him for all the good things you have, and all the times God has delivered you through tough times.

Apostasy is another word for a pattern of sin and repentance. Try and spot the cycle in each of the stories. You can’t see it in the text about Shamgar, but make sure you see the pattern of behaviour shown by the people in the stories of Othniel and Ehud and see how they come to God, turn away from Him, cry out to Him and then receive blessing, over and over again.

And of course there is a greater challenge still – to spot the same behaviour in our own lives!