Leadership Lessons From the First 3 Judges - Russ Roberts
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This sermon begins by reframing the period of the Judges — often imagined as a chaotic “Wild West” — as mostly a time of peace under God’s intentional design. God raised up judges not as random or reactionary leaders, but as part of His perfect plan to guide and discipline His people when needed. The problem was that Israel failed to fully drive out the pagan nations, allowing idolatry and spiritual compromise to take root.
In Judges 2, the Angel of the Lord — believed to be a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ — rebuked Israel for disobedience. God reminded them that the land, victories, and blessings they enjoyed were gifts from Him, not their own accomplishments. The book then outlines a recurring cycle: faithfulness → sin → oppression → crying out to God → deliverance through a judge → peace, followed by relapse. Though the spiral worsened over time, most years in this period were peaceful.
The first three judges illustrate God’s pattern:
Othniel (Judah) – Delivered Israel from Mesopotamian oppression after they forgot God and turned to idols. His leadership brought 40 years of peace.
Ehud (Benjamin) – Freed Israel from Moabite control after 18 years of oppression. His daring plan to kill King Eglon led to 80 years of peace.
Shamgar – Though only mentioned in one verse, he killed 600 Philistines with an ox goad, delivering Israel in his time.
From these accounts, the preacher draws three lessons:
Challenging trials expose true hearts – God deliberately left pagan nations to test Israel’s obedience and train them for spiritual warfare. Like Israel, we live in a world pressing us to compromise, and we must equip ourselves with God’s armor (Ephesians 6).
Hope inspires heroism – Hard times create opportunities for ordinary people to stand up for what’s right. God often uses the least likely individuals to accomplish His purposes.
True deliverance comes from heaven – Real rescue from sin, trouble, or oppression only comes when we cry out to God. Just as He responded to Israel’s cries in Egypt after 400 years, He is waiting for us to call on Him today.
The period of the Judges was not an accident or failure in God’s plan — it was a refining process, shaping Israel from a loose collection of tribes into a unified nation, and pointing forward to our ultimate Redeemer.
Looking for a Church of Christ in Jacksonville, FL that offers clear, Bible-based preaching and practical lessons for everyday life? At Cypress Grove Church of Christ, we believe God’s Word is living and relevant — and that includes the often-overlooked book of Judges.
In this sermon, we explore life lessons from the first three judges — Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar — and discover how God used them to guide His people during a time often misunderstood as chaotic. You’ll see how the period of Judges was actually part of God’s perfect plan, and how its lessons apply to Christians today.
If you’re searching for a Bible-focused church in Jacksonville where you can grow in faith and connect with believers committed to following Scripture, we invite you to visit us.
