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.

Early on, we find out that Israel has forgotten God and are worshipping Baal and the Ostroth,

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 we're talking about here are more like military commanders and

civil leaders than someone who sits in a courtroom with a gavel. The first judge is Othneill,

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 Eglon of Moab. He gathers some allies and they attack

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

Ehud, the second judge, to rescue them.

If you're left-handed, you probably loved this story, even though it was gross,

because left-handed people often get a bad rap in ancient text.

But here, one of your people is the hero.

One interesting thing about this is that Ehood was from the tribe of Benjamin, which means son of the right hand.

I bet Ehood was probably teased about his

left-handedness for his entire life, kind of like if you're a vegan whose last name is Hunter.

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