And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord. So the Lord strengthened Eglon king of Moab against Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the Lord. 13 Then he gathered to himself the people of Ammon and Amalek, went and defeated Israel, and took possession of the City of Palms. 14 So the children of Israel served Eglon king of Moab eighteen years. But when the children of Israel cried out to the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer for them: Ehud the son of Gera, the Benjamite, a left-handed man. By him the children of Israel sent tribute to Eglon king of Moab. 16 Now Ehud made himself a dagger (it was double-edged and a cubit in length) and fastened it under his clothes on his right thigh. 17 So he brought the tribute to Eglon king of Moab. (Now Eglon was a very fat man.) 18 And when he had finished presenting the tribute, he sent away the people who had carried the tribute. 19 But he himself turned back from the stone images that were at Gilgal, and said, “I have a secret message for you, O king.” Judges 3:12-19 NKJV
“30 So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. And the land had rest for eighty years.31 After Ehud came Shamgar son of Anath, who struck down six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad. He too saved Israel.” Judges 3:30-31 NKJV
God who keeps his promises,
18 years the Israelites served the King of Moab before they turned to ask You, Lord for help again. Servitude. It is a great story about Ehud if read from beginning to end. Judges 3:12-29. Amusing too if it was not for the murder and many deaths. A man so fat the dagger was hidden in the belly folds. No wonder Ehud played to the King of Moab’s greed. Then 80 years rest for the land. This shows that You grant time for Your children to have children and turn back to You. But no, there was need for the third judge. The almost unknown, Shamgar son of Anath. He was renowned because he struck down 600 Philistines which is impressive. Not with a machine gun but with an oxgoad! This is the first time the Philistines appear so perhaps Shamgar caught them exploring the land and stopped an invasion as well, helping keep the peace for those 80 years.
Shamgar son of Anath, Anath is a female name, his mother? Reminds me of another mother whose Son was a Saviour and was sent by You to save not a nation, but all mankind. He took the full punishment of the enemy upon Himself too. Judges is bloodthirsty and a different time in history but it foreshadows the greatest battle to come. Which thank goodness was won at the cross and does not need another Saviour ever, Jesus did it all. So we can battle on through Judges Lord and in our time and give thanks for our wonderful Saviour.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Saturday 14th March 2026
You’re The Lion Of Judah, the Lamb who was slain
You ascended to heaven and evermore will reign;
At the end of the age when the earth You reclaim,
You will gather the nations before You
And the eyes of all men will be fixed on the Lamb who was crucified,
For with wisdom and mercy and justice He reigns at the Father’s side.
And the angels will cry, “Hail the Lamb
who was slain for the world, rule in power!”
And the earth will reply, “You shall reign
as the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords.”
There’s a shield in our hand and a sword at our side;
There’s a fire in our spirit that cannot be denied;
As the Father has told us: for these You have died,
For the nations that gather before You.
And the ears of all men need to hear of the Lamb who was crucified,
Who descended to hell yet was raised up to reign at the Father’s side.
Chorus
Lyrics: Robin Mark