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Judges 3:7-9,12-15, The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord; they forgot the Lord their God and served the Baals and the Asherahs. The anger of the Lord burned against Israel so that he sold them into the hands of Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram Naharaim,  to whom the Israelites were subject for eight years.  But when they cried out to the Lord, he raised up for them a deliverer, Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, who saved them...Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and because they did this evil the Lord gave Eglon king of Moab power over Israel. Getting the Ammonites and Amalekites to join him, Eglon came and attacked Israel, and they took possession of the City of Palms.  The Israelites were subject to Eglon king of Moab for eighteen years. Again the Israelites cried out to the Lord, and he gave them a deliverer—Ehud, a left-handed man, the son of Gera the Benjamite. The Israelites sent him with tribute to Eglon king of Moab.

In Judges 3, we begin to see the cycle that we spoke of yesterday start to establish itself.  The people do evil in the eyes of God by worshiping Baal and other gods.  As a result, God is angered and he allows his people to be overtaken by a pagan people group.  The Israelites cry out to God so God sends a judge.  The first judge sent is Othniel, Caleb's younger brother.  Othniel goes to war on behalf of God's people and they have a solid victory against the enemy.  The Israelites then have peace for forty years until Othniel dies.

After Othniel's death, the cycle begins again.  The Israelites do evil in the eyes of God.  As a result, God is angered and allows the Moabites to overtake them.  The people cry out in desperation and God hears their cry.  He sends another judge, Ehud, who kills the king of Moab and leads the Israelites to victory over the Moab nation.  They then have peace for eighty years. 

The next judge was Shamgar, who struck down hundreds of Philistines.  And the cycle begins again...

Let's pray...God of the Ages, Almighty Father, How patient you have been with your people.  Over and over again, we have messed up.  We have sinned.  Just like the ancient Israelites before us, we still sin.  How grateful we are to live on the other side of the cross, to know with certainty that you have forgiven us and made a way for us to be reconciled to you.  Thank you, Jesus.  You made a way where there seemed to be no way.  Help us do better, God.  In Your Name, Amen.