One thing to add about the judges, we are not to think of them being consecutive or in order ruling over all of Israel. Each judge judged portions of Israel, some at overlapping times.
This opening paragraph is quite odd. God is stating that He purposely left the nations before the Israelites to training them for war to defend the nation against intruders and to test the loyalty of the people. The ending paragraph states they failed the first command against syncretism. They intermarried those in the land resulting in false worship. Paul would later ask what part does the Holy Spirit have with Baal [actually Christ and Belial] (2 Corinthians 6.14-15)?
Othniel is found in Judges 1 and Joshua 15 (and is mentioned in 1 and 2 Chronicles). He is the one who married his uncle Caleb’s daughter. Looking at these verses in light of the pattern we see:
- Relapse: Israelites forgot God and served the Baals and Asherahs
- Retribution: Oppression by the King of Aram (Cushan-Rishathaim)
- Repentance: The people cried to God to deliver them
- Rescue: The Holy Spirit came upon Othniel who delivered them
- Rest: 40 years of peace
In watching this pattern unfold, each time, watch who is doing all the action other than the sinning. It is always God allowing, giving, raising, etc. He is the sovereign in control of all things; He is not the author, but He is in control.
Ehud is mentioned again in the Scripture in a list of descendants.
- Relapse: They did evil in the eyes of God
- Retribution: The King of Moab ruled Israel with the Ammonites and Amalekites
- Repentance: The people cried to God to deliver them
- Rescue: Ehud killed Eglon (king of Moab) with deceptive tactics (being left-handed was different and he used the way God created him to accomplish God’s purposes, no one else could have done what he did)
- Rest: 80 years of peace
Shamgar is only mentioned here and in the song that Deborah sings in Judges 6.
Nothing is stated about the Israelite’s relapse, retribution, repentance, or rest. It merely states that God rescued the Israelites from the Philistines.
Our next look at the book of Judges will take a close look at a woman judge, Deborah.