Judges 3:1-11: a reflection

1Now these are the nations which the LORD left, to test Israel by them, even as many as had not known all the wars of Canaan; 2only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at least those who knew nothing of it before: 3the five lords of the Philistines, all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites who lived on Mount Lebanon, from Mount Baal Hermon to the entrance of Hamath. 4They were left to test Israel by them, to know whether they would listen to the LORD’s commandments, which he commanded their fathers by Moses. 5The children of Israel lived among the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 6They took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their own daughters to their sons and served their gods. 7The children of Israel did that which was evil in the LORD’s sight, and forgot the LORD their God, and served the Baals and the Asheroth. 8Therefore the LORD’s anger burned against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Cushan Rishathaim king of Mesopotamia; and the children of Israel served Cushan Rishathaim eight years. 9When the children of Israel cried to the LORD, the LORD raised up a savior to the children of Israel, who saved them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother. 10The LORD’s Spirit came on him, and he judged Israel; and he went out to war, and the LORD delivered Cushan Rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand. His hand prevailed against Cushan Rishathaim. 11The land had rest forty years, then Othniel the son of Kenaz died.

The book of Judges begins its recurring pattern, and here we see it for the first time. Israel forgets the LORD and serves other gods; God's anger is roused, and he allows them to fall under the oppression of a foreign king. But when the people cry out to the LORD in their distress, he raises up a deliverer, Othniel, who saves them, and the land has rest. Israel sins, suffers, cries out, and God sends help.

Notice God's response to his people's cry: he raised up a deliverer. Israel's trouble was of their own making; they had forgotten God and turned to idols, and their oppression was the consequence. God would have been just to leave them in it. But when they cried out to him, he did not turn away; he heard their cry and sent a deliverer to save them. His mercy answered their cry, even though their trouble was their own fault.

That is a comfort for when we find ourselves in trouble of our own making. We can bring difficulty on ourselves by our own sin and folly, and then feel we have no right to cry out to God, that we deserve to be left in it. But God heard Israel's cry and sent help, even though their trouble was their own fault; his mercy is greater than our deserving. When you are in trouble you have brought on yourself, do not despair, or conclude that God will not hear you because it is your own fault. Cry out to him; the God who heard Israel's cry and sent a deliverer hears the cry of his people still, even when their trouble is of their own making. Turn to him, cry out, and trust his mercy, which answers the cry even of those who have brought their trouble on themselves.

Lord, the book of Judges begins its pattern: Israel forgot you and served idols, fell under oppression as the consequence, and when they cried out to you, you raised up a deliverer and gave the land rest; you heard their cry even though their trouble was their own fault. Comfort me with that for when I am in trouble of my own making. I can bring difficulty on myself by my own sin and folly, and then feel I have no right to cry out to you, that I deserve to be left in it. But you heard Israel's cry and sent help, even though their trouble was their own fault; your mercy is greater than my deserving. When I am in trouble I have brought on myself, keep me from despairing, or concluding that you will not hear me because it is my own fault. Help me cry out to you; you who heard Israel's cry and sent a deliverer hear the cry of your people still, even when their trouble is of their own making. Help me turn to you, cry out, and trust your mercy, which answers the cry even of those who have brought their trouble on themselves.