Hey Bible readers, I'm Tara Lee Cobble, and I'm your host for the Bible recap.

Today we wrap up the introduction to the Book of Judges, and God tells us that he has left

a handful of Canaanite leaders in the land as a test for the Israelites.

Today we also get to meet the first four judges, all of whom are pretty good by comparison

to the others we'll read about.

Many on we find out that Israel has forgotten God and are worshiping Baal and the Austroath,

and God takes credit for selling them into slavery, just like he warned them he would do when

this happened.

After eight years they finally cry out to God and he raises up the first judge to save

them, and remember that the judges were talking about here are more like military commanders

and civil leaders than someone who sits in a courtroom with a gattle.

The first judge is Othneal, whom you may remember as Caleb's nephew slash son-in-law.

The text says God's spirit was upon him and he gave him victory.

Then they had peace for 40 years, but then the Israelites decide they prefer sin over

peace and they rebel again.

So God strengthens their enemy against them, King Eglond of Moab, he gathered some allies

and they attacked Israel and take back Jericho, which was Israel's first conquest in the

Promised Land.

They also take the Israelites as servants for 18 years, until they cry out to God for

rescue.

Then God appoints Ehood, the second judge, to rescue them.

If you're left-handed you probably love this story even though it was gross because

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