Verses 8–11
The first judge was Othniel: even in Joshua's time Othniel began to be famous. Soon after
Israel's settlement in Canaan their purity began to be corrupted, and their peace disturbed. But
affliction makes those cry to God who before would scarcely speak to him. God returned in mercy
to them for their deliverance. 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 judged
Israel, reproved and reformed them, and then went to war. Let sin at home be conquered, that worst
of enemies, then enemies abroad will be more easily dealt with. Thus let Christ be our Judge and
Lawgiver, then he will save us.
Verses 12–30
When Israel sins again, God raises up a new oppressor. The Israelites did ill, and the Moabites
did worse; yet because God punishes the sins of his own people in this world, Israel is weakened,
and Moab strengthened against them. If lesser troubles do not do the work, God will send greater.
When Israel prays again, God raises up Ehud. As a judge, or minister of Divine justice, Ehud put
to death Eglon, the king of Moab, and thus executed the judgments of God upon him as an enemy
to God and Israel. But the law of being subject to principalities and powers in all things lawful, is
the rule of our conduct. No such commissions are now given; to pretend to them is to blaspheme
God. Notice Ehud's address to Eglon. What message from God but a message of vengeance can a
proud rebel expect? Such a message is contained in the word of God; his ministers are boldly to
declare it, without fearing the frown, or respecting the persons of sinners. But, blessed be God, they
have to deliver a message of mercy and of free salvation; the message of vengeance belongs only
to those who neglect the offers of grace. The consequence of this victory was, that the land had rest
eighty years. It was a great while for the land to rest; yet what is that to the saints' everlasting rest
in the heavenly Canaan.
Verse 31
The side of the country which lay south-west, was infested by the Philistines. God raised up
Shamgar to deliver them; having neither sword nor spear, he took an ox-goad, the instrument next
at hand. God can make those serviceable to his glory and to his church's good, whose birth, education,
and employment, are mean and obscure. It is no matter what the weapon is, if God directs and
strengthens the arm. Often he works by unlikely means, that the excellency of the power may appear
to be of God.
Chapter 4
Chapter Outline