What role did God play in Israel's oppression by Eglon, according to Judges 3:13? Context That Frames the Question • Judges 3 records Israel’s first three major judges. • After deliverance under Othniel, “Once again the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD” (Judges 3:12). • God’s response sets up the oppression by Eglon. God’s Direct Involvement • Judges 3:12–13 plainly states: “Once again the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD, and the LORD strengthened Eglon king of Moab against Israel… He recruited the Ammonites and Amalekites, went and defeated Israel, and took possession of the City of Palms.” • Key phrase: “the LORD strengthened Eglon.” • The verb shows intentional divine action—God actively empowered Eglon to become Israel’s oppressor. Purpose Behind God’s Action • Discipline for covenant unfaithfulness (Deuteronomy 28:25, 47-48). • A wake-up call to repentance, fitting the “sin-servitude-supplication-salvation” pattern described in Judges 2:14-18. • Hebrews 12:6 reminds us, “For the Lord disciplines the one He loves.” Consistency with Wider Scripture • Similar scenes: – Judges 4:2: “the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan.” – 2 Kings 17:18-20: Assyria as a rod of judgment. • God remains sovereign even when using pagan nations (Isaiah 10:5-7). What This Teaches Us About God • His sovereignty extends over nations; He can raise up or pull down rulers (Daniel 2:21). • Holiness demands that sin be confronted; judgment is never random. • Mercy is embedded in discipline—oppression lasts only until repentance (Judges 3:15). Applying the Lesson • Sin has consequences; God may permit hardship to steer His people back to Himself. • Suffering is never outside His control or purpose (Romans 8:28). • The same God who empowered Eglon later empowered Ehud for deliverance (Judges 3:28-30), showing that judgment and salvation proceed from the same sovereign hand. |
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