In Psalm 103, David reminded himself in song: bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name and not to forget all His benefits like the forgiveness of all our sins, healing of all our diseases, redemption from destruction, crowning with lovingkindness and tender mercies, and spiritual renewal through good things (Ps 103:2-5). But how often do we find ourselves forgetting - ignoring - God’s deeds and yearning for something new, fresh, different, and more!

I. God Blesses (Judg 3:11-12). A man controlled by the Spirit of God can lead his generation in peace as Othniel did, but that’s no promise for how the next generation will live. The Book of Judges clearly shows Israel’s continual fall into sin and that sin always leads to being conquered and enslaved; Judges also reveals a God of grace who is faithful to deliver His beloved people from sin.
God gave Israel a godly heritage in Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Joshua, and Caleb; the covenants of promise (Eph 2:2); the sacrifices for sins; the Scriptures; the priesthood; and the tabernacle; yet these were all unimportant to them. They were living in a modern world and with Othniel dead, the nation turned to serving (worshiping) false gods because everyone did that which was right in his own eyes.
Forgetfulness of the spiritual blessings God bestowed to the Church by grace in Christ Jesus (Eph 1:3) always leads to spiritual decline and sin (2 Pet 1:9-14). Israel’s history in the Book of Judges is one of too easily forgetting God and His benefits (Ps 103).



II. God Strengthens (Judg 3:12-15). John Calvin wrote in his commentary on Micah, When we no longer want to be governed by God, why shouldn’t God send tyrants to torment and harass us? Thus God strengthened the pagan king Eglon so that he enslaved Israel (Judg 3:12-14). Eglon’s alliance was a family affair. Moab and Ammon were incestuous descendants of Lot (Abraham’s nephew) and his two daughters (Gen 19:30-38); the Amalekites were from Esau’s grandson (Gen 36:11-12). Israel’s enemies were relatives (Mk 3:21; 6:1-6; Jn 1:11; 7:3-5)! We must never forget that God reveals humanity exactly as we are in the Bible. He never hides sin, but also shows how He forgives it and uses those whom He forgives for His glory.

III. God Reveals (Judg 3:15-30). Israel’s false gods were made were powerless to bring deliverance (Deut 32:16-17; Is 44:6-20 1 Cor 8:4; 10:20); but a loving, gracious, covenant-keeping God chose and empowered an unlikely man to be Israel’s deliverer (Judg 3:15). Ironically, Ehud was a Benjamite (which means son of my right hand) and crippled in his right hand.
In one of the most humorous stories in Scripture, Ehud claimed to have a secret message for the king which delighted Eglon (Judg 3:19). Beware of those today who claim to have secrets from God. God has revealed Himself and His will openly in the Bible. “Secrets” are concocted by untaught, unstable men twisting the Bible (1 Tim 4:1-7; Heb 1:1-2; 2 Pet 3:16).
Ehud’s “secret” was that God was judging Eglon. With a double-edged 18-inch dagger strapped inside his right thigh where guards wouldn’t look for a weapon, Ehud used his perceived weakness to kill the very fat king (Judg 3:17-22) and then his army (Judg 3:29). In the ancient world, being fat was the evidence of material prosperity (Job 36:16; Ps 36:8; Is 17:4; Jer 31:14).
God uses evil men like Eglon (and even demons and Satan) to accomplish His purpose, but these operate only within His set boundaries, and they will be judged for their actions against God’s people. God isn’t matched in a contest with Satan for control; He is sovereign, even over the ungodly. And if He can move the heart of king where He wills, He can do it to anyone (Prov 21:1; Deut 13:1-3; 1 Kings 22:19-23; Job 1:6-12; 2:1-7, 10; Hab 1:1-11; Rev 17:12-18). Once more, the gracious covenant-keeping God, gave His earthly people rest from their enemies.