EHUD A Man of Faith and Courage

MANY years had passed since the Israelites first set foot in the Promised Land. Moses and his successor,  Joshua, had long been dead.  In the absence of such men of faith, appreciation for pure worship plummeted.  The Israelites had even begun to serve the Baals and the sacred poles.  As a result, Jehovah gave his people into the hands of the Syrians for eight years.  Then the Israelites cried out to God for help.  Mercifully, he listened.  Jehovah raised up a judge, Othniel, to deliver His people. -Judges 3:7-11.

These events should have taught the Israelites a basis truth-obedience to Jehovah brings blessing, whereas disobedience results in maledictions.  (Deuteronomy 11:26-28)  However,, the people of Israel failed to learn this lesson.  After a 40-year period of peace, they again abandoned pure worship.-Judges 3:12.

Next time: Overtaken by Moab

The Watchtower, 1997