Unit 1 LESSON 5

October 5, 2025

Study Text: Judges 2:10-23; 3:7-30

                     Central Truth: Christians must hold firmly to faith in Jesus.

KEY VERSE--Hebrews 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart

of unbelief, in departing from the living God (KJV). 

Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God (NLT).

LET'S GET STARTED

In a speech he delivered to Congress in 1879, Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce' said, "I have heard talk and talk, but nothing is done. Good words do not last unless they amount to something. . . . . I am tired of talk that comes to nothing. It makes my heart sick when I remember all the good words and all the broken promises." As we'll see in this week's lesson and throughout our study of the Book of Judges, it didn't take long for the people of Israel to break the solemn promises they had made to God at the end of the Book of Joshua. Instead of remaining faithful to the covenant, they spiraled further and further from God. If Joshua is a book of victory, then Judges is a book of failure. Amid Israel's ongoing pattern of idolatry and sin, God continued raising up judges--twelve in all--who would lead the people back to Him.

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PART 1- Cycle of Sin and Repentance

Israel Rebels             Judges 2:10-15

The first chapter of Judges records many victories, but it also describes how Israel failed to drive out all the pagan people and remove all the idols from Canaan (verses 19, 21, 25--36). Over time, the Israelites began adopting pagan worship practices. This led to a pattern of sin and oppression that caused the Israelites to seek God, who then raised up Judges to save the people. As Judges 2 opens, God's people are rebuked by the angel of the Lord for their willingness to make treaties with the Canaanites instead of driving them from the land. The people responded with tearful repentance. However, when this repentant generation passed, the next generation fell back into evil, worshipping Baal and Ashtoreth. Isarel's actions angered God. As a result, His protection was removed. The Canaanites oppressed and enslaved them. Paul had to remind believers in Corinth to "flee from the worship of idols." John concluded his first letter with an admonition to "keep away from anything that might take God's place in your hearts" (1 John 5:21). Still today, we must remain faithful to Jesus each day, refusing to allow anything else to take His place in our lives.

DISCUSS?  Why do you think Israel chose to worship Canaanite idols instead of God?

Israel Repents                     Judges 2:16-23

Judges 2:16-23 introduces us to the sinful cycle that characterized Israel during these years. Sadly, the Israelites were not faithful to God. But despite their rebellion, He was merciful and compassionate. He raised up judges to call them back to Him and save them from their oppressors. After the people were rescued and enjoyed a season of peace, the judge eventually died and "the people returned to their corrupt ways, behaving worse than those who had lived before them." Idolatry is the common thread of sin that runs through the Book of Judges. God's people stubbornly chose to look elsewhere for the blessings God had already promised to give them. In many ways this is how sin still works today. We may be tempted to look somewhere else for comfort or answers instead of looking to God.

 Discuss?  If a fellow believer asked your advice about breaking a cycle of sin he or she seemed to be trapped in, how would you respond?

Part 2-- The Spirit Anoints Othniel

                         Idolatry Brings Judgment            Judges 3:7-8                    

In the account of Israel's first judge, Othniel, we begin to see the cycle of apostasy at work. The first three phases--involving sin and judgment--happen in Judges 3:7-8. First, Israel sinned by worshipping idols, provoking God to remove His blessing. Then the Lords turned them over to a king from the area of Mesopotamia. The Israelites served this for eight years. These first three phases tell us a lot about the nature and progression of temptation and sin, much like we see in James 1:15. We must be careful to not follow the same subtle progression of sin. The world relies on worldly things for peace and assurance God's people must rely on Him.

DISCUSS? What does it mean to say that God is our Source? How does that point of view affect our responsibilities and aspirations?

Deliverance through Othniel                   Judges 3:9-11

The last three phases in this cycle of apostasy are found in Judges 3:9-11. For eight years, the Israelites had lived under enemy oppression. Finally, they moved on to the fourth phase-of the cycle: "The people of Israel cried out to the LORD for help." They turned their hearts back to the Lord and away from the idols of Canaan. In His great mercy "the LORD raised up a rescuer to save them, "marking the fifth phase of this cycle. Othniel, Israel's first judge, was the nephew of the faithful spy Caleb and possessed a great deal of military expertise (Joshua 15:13-19). Most importantly, God had empowered him with the Holy Spirit, enabling him to conquer the Canaanite king and deliver Israel from oppression. Othniel was the ideal judge--honorable, faithful to God, and operating in the power of the Spirit. But moving forward in the book, we find judges with increasingly serious flaws.

Discuss? Othniel had a profound spiritual influence on Israel, leading them to serve God for forty years. How can you have this kind of spiritual impact on the people in your circle of influence?

      Part 3- Ehud Leads Israel

        Sin Brings Oppression      Judges 3:12-14

Judges 3:11 records Othniel's death, signaling that the sinful cycle was about to begin again. Sure enough, Israel turned back to idolatry. This caused the Lord to allow king Eglon of Moab to conquer Israel. Eglon formed an alliance with the Ammonites and Amalekites. From his strategic position in Jericho, he was able to hold Israel captive for eighteen years. As we move through the Book of Judges, we must remember why Israel's Judges were needed in the first place and recognize the constant tension between the pull of sin and the mercy of God, Just as God called His people to live differently in Canaan, He calls us to live differently. We have been rescued by Jesus once and for all. Let us resist the pull of rebellion and idolatry and choose instead to faithfully follow Him.

Discuss?  How has Jesus rescued you?

Deliverance through Ehud                 Joshua 3:15-30

This account of deliverance begins with the Israelites choosing Ehud to deliver the king's tribute (Judges 3:15). Ehud and his companions delivered the tribute and headed home. But along the way, Ehud and his companions delivered the tribute and headed home. But along the way, Ehud turned back toward Jericho by himself. He approached King Eglon alone, claiming to have a secret message for him. Ehud approached the kin, supposedly to deliver his message and plunged his knife into the king's stomach. Ehud locked the king's body in the room and escaped from the palace. The assassination of Eglon broke Moab's hold over Israel. Verses 28-30 record how the Israelites trapped the Moab's hold over Israel. Verses 28-30 record how the Israelites trapped the Moabite army on the west side of the Jordan and destroyed them. In one astounding day. God used Ehud to deliver Israel and usher in eighty years of peace.

DISCUSS? Although being left-handed was considered a weakness in ancient times, it was an important factor in Ehud's deliverance of Israel. What characteristics that might be viewed as weaknesses in our culture could use to carry out God's work today?

WHAT IS GOD SAYING TO US? 

God empowered Othniel and Ehud for their roles in delivering Israel from their oppressors. Even during the years when Israel was caught in idolatry and sin, God was actively preparing judges for the moment the people turned to Him for help. God also prepares us for the roles He has called us to fill. As we seek Him, turn from temptation, and follow His direction, we can advance His kingdom and bring the freedom and victory of Jesus to people who are oppressed by sin.

LIVING IT OUT

Think of a friend, family member, or coworker who is oppressed by sin and lovingly remind them of the freedom Jesus offers.

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               DAILY BIBLE READING

                   Monday: Consequences of Sin. Daniel 9:1-11

                             Tuesday: Fasting and Deliverance. Isaih 58:6-12

                                            Wednesday: Repent and Receive God's Gift. Acts 2:37-41

                       Thursday: Repent and Live. Ezekiel 18:30-32

                        Friday. God's Fulfills His Promises. Acts 3:17-26

                             Saturday. Citizens of Heaven. Philippians 3:17-21

Gospel Publishing House. 1445 N. Boonville Ave. Springfield, Missouri 65802 Volume 107 Number 1. Sep. Oct. Nov 2025