Judges 3:12-14 – Eglon, King of Moab
Though God had delivered Israel by means of Othniel, the Israelites did not remain faithful to Him. This time, when they did evil in the LORD’s sight, He strengthened Eglon, the King of Moab, to be His instrument of chastisement for His people. As Eglon’s strength grew, he became the head of a coalition of Moabites, Ammonites, and Amalekites.
Israel had a long and oft-troubled history with these three nations. The Moabites and Ammonites were descendants of Lot, Abraham’s nephew. Rather than aiding their kinsmen, the Israelites, during their years in the wilderness, these nations had opposed Israel (Deuteronomy 23:3-4). Likewise, the Amalekites were related to the Israelites, being descended from Jacob’s brother Esau (Genesis 36:12). They had attacked Israel in the wilderness (Exodus 17:8-16). Now they banded together to make war on Israel, capturing the city of the palms (the well-watered area around the ruins of Jericho). They forced Israel to serve Eglon for eighteen years.
God is Sovereign. The nations are under His command. The LORD did not implant the sinful desires of Eglon and the Moabites, Ammonites, and Amalekites to invade and oppress Israel in their hearts, but He sinlessly used their sin for His own ends. When we are oppressed, persecuted or mistreated, God uses even the sinful motives of our enemies for His own ends, for His glory and our good.
Questions
- How were the Moabites and Ammonites related to Israel?
- How were the Amalekites related to Israel?
- How did God use these nations?
Prayer Points
- Praise God that He sovereignly uses even the sinful motives of men for His glory and our good.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.