Episode 3:  Wisdom in the Test

This is a rich chapter, with a plethora of spiritual depth. All of the verses point us to the fact that God is very specific. We deep dive into the instructions God left the Israelites, by way of Moses, that instruct them not to settle and not to get too comfortable in the land their God was giving them. The Lord made it clear that there was to be no intermarrying with people from other nations, because he didn’t want them picking up the same abominable practices these foreigners were known for. However, they did the exact opposite and as a result what they were meant to destroy ultimately wound up destroying them. This serves as a great reminder that the things we don’t destroy will eventually destroy us.

Notes:

Brittany  3:5 The Israelites settled or dwelt in the land, and because they did this what they were supposed to destroy ultimately wound up destroying them. Before the people entered into the land Moses had told them, “Don’t settle, don’t intermarry with the people of the land. Destroy them or they will lead your hearts away from the Lord. God is very specific. What you don’t destroy will ultimately end up destroying you.” Deuteronomy 7:1-6.  Don’t settle in sin, destroy it!

Vicki  3:12 There’s a cycle with the Israelites and with God. Here in this chapter, and throughout the entire book, you see the Israelites continually doing evil in the Lord’s sight, at which point God causes enemies to conquer his people until they cry out to him for mercy, and then he raises up Judges to rescue them because at this point, he’s no longer doing it himself anymore. Othniel 8 years of disaster to 40 years of peace, Ehud 18 years of captivity and 80 years of freedom.

Jeanny  3:16 God is showing you strategies of warfare. Made a double-edged dagger that was about a foot long and strapped it to his right thigh, keeping it hidden under his clothes.  Ehud three strategies He made something sharp and purposefulHe strapped it to himself for an opportune time He hid it from plain sight. Question: What purposes has God awakened in you? Preacher, healer, mother, wife, husband. When God awakens you to your calling the next step is strategy. You need to be called and affirmed. How have you sharpened and what have you made with your purpose. Ehud found something and sharpened. He sharpened his purpose i.e. blade. We need to learn that whatever purposes God has called you to do sharpen those skills. Where and how have you placed your purpose for an opportune time? It takes time for you to sharpen your skill and whatever fruit is going to come out of you to come forth. To those who feel like they’ve been waiting for a long time. It’s supposed to be this long. There’s no early release, there’s an opportune time. God is  not just going to release you without strategy because he’s releasing you among wolves. There are some things that must be pondered in your heart. You can’t be blabby blabby blabby. You have to trust God to deliver the message or the strategy to where it’s supposed to go and where. Ehud never would have gotten to the king if everyone knew about the dagger he had. Find a secret place. There’s power in privacy.   

Melissa 3:28 The Lord is strategic in battle. People usually gain their strategy, direction and boldness from those that are positioned in leadership. 

Without leadership the people are scattered. As the sheep are scattered without the Shepard, so the people are scattered without leadership. Ehud was the least unlikely person, in the natural, that would be able to deliver the Israelites. God is looking for faith. He qualifies the called, he doesn’t call the qualified. Faith is what initiates God’s plan and puts it into action (i.e. David and Goliath). God is strategic and undefeated.