Ehud's Ironic Salvation

Judges 3:12-30

Sermon Notes:

1) The Introduction of an Ironic Savior | 12-15a

2) The Presentation of a Mysterious Gift | 15-18

3) The Preparation of the True Sacrifice | 19-26

4) The Liberation of the Lord’s People | 26-29

5) The Question of the Lord’s Presence | 30, 15-27

Reflection Questions:

1) Is it ok to laugh at this story? Why or why not?

2) Why does the story tell us that Eglon was fat? Is that usually a positive quality in the Bible? What does Psalm 73:1-7 say about fatness and pride? What does Psalm 73 teach us about jealousy?

3) Was Ehud a perfect savior? What kind of savior did Israel deserve? (See vv.12- 15) Should they (and we) appreciate the salvation that does provide?

Othniel, the Paradigm of God's Salvation

Judges 3:7-11

Sermon Notes:

Judges outline from Ralph Davis:

  • 1:1-3:6 – The Failure of the Second Generation

  • 3:7-16:31 – The Salvation of a Long-suffering God

  • 3:7-11 – The Paradigm of Yahweh’s salvation (Othniel) (Today’s passage)

  • 3:12-5:31 – The Excitement of Yahweh’s salvation (Ehud and Deborah)

  • 6:1-8:32 – The Weakness of Yahweh’s salvation (Gideon)

  • 8:33-9:57 – The Antithesis of Yahweh’s salvation (Abimelech)

  • 10:1 – 16:31 – The Strangeness of Yahweh’s salvation (Jephthah and Samson)

  • 17:1-21:25 – The Confusion of a Depraved People

Today’s outline:

1) Israel did evil in the eyes of the Lord, 7-8a

2) The Lord sold Israel into the oppressor’s hands, 8b

3) Israel served the oppressor for eight years, 8c

4) Israel cried out to the Lord, 9a

5) The Lord raised up a deliverer, 9b

6) The Spirit of the Lord was with the deliverer, 10a

7) The oppressor was subdued, 10b

8) The land had rest for 40 years, 11

Reflection questions:

1. Why is “crying out” by itself not true repentance? See Judges 2:18-19 and 3:9; 2 Cor 7:8-11.

2. What does it mean to enter God’s rest? See Hebrews 3:7-4:11.

3. Consider the following two quotes: “Yahweh’s [The Lord’s] wrath is the heat of his jealousy by which he refuses to let go of his people. He refuses to allow his people to remain comfortable in sin.” (Ralph Davis) “God never lets Christians sin successfully.” (Ed Hart)