“Joshua fit de battle of Jericho!” Why isn’t there a song about Ehud fighting there as well?
With Othniel having driven out the Mesopotamians, and with his wise judging of Israel from his southern stronghold at Kirjath-Sepher, we read, “the land had rest for forty years” (Jdg 3:11). Eight years were certainly too long for the Israelites to be enslaved, but notice the proportion: 8/40. That means the land had rest five times longer than they had trouble. It’s good to notice this all through the book lest we exaggerate the tragedies of the book. Here was the issue. Good leadership always led to rest in the land. How vital for us to pray for, encourage, and seek to develop good leadership among God’s people. But after the forty years, “Othniel the son of Kenaz died” (v 11). And without a break in the story, here’s the next thing we read: “And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord” (v 12). Here we go again! To chasten them, this time the Lord used Eglon, king of Moab, who also consorted with “the people of Ammon and Amalek” (v 13). Together, they reclaimed “the City of Palms” which, we are told in Deuteronomy 34:3, is the city of Jericho. The city had been rebuilt on the other side of the oasis, since the original spot had been cursed by Joshua. Has this ever happened to you? Territory—some habit or sin—hard-won, has been regained by the enemy. What must we do? It may not be as exciting as the first time, with trumpets blaring, but in quiet trust and obedience we must regain the field just the same. Now, after not 8 but 18 years of oppression, “the children of Israel cried out to the Lord,” and again “the Lord raised up a deliverer for them.” This time it was “Ehud the son of Gera, the Benjamite, a left-handed man” (v 15). How would he single-handedly regain Jericho? There’s more to come!