Listening to the Audio Bible: Book of Judges Chapter 3 – NKJV Version

Are you looking for a unique and practical way to deepen your understanding of the Bible? Have you considered listening to the Audio Bible? In this post, we’ll delve into the Book of Judges Chapter 3 from the New King James Version and explore the benefits of listening to the Bible rather than reading it. So, sit back, relax, and let’s dive into this fascinating chapter of the Bible together.

Listening to the Audio Bible: Book of Judges Chapter 3 – NKJV Version

Introduction

The Book of Judges is an essential scripture of the Christian Bible, covering the period right after the death of Joshua until the anointing of the first king of Israel, Saul. This book is among the most challenging yet influential and gripping sections of the Bible, entertaining and educating readers with a plethora of stories about men and women who abandoned God or rose to leadership by following His ways. Chapter 3 of the Book of Judges, as narrated in the New King James Version (NKJV) of the Audio Bible, is a prime example of a story in which Israel’s disobedience to God leads to their oppression by foreign nations.

The Lord left certain nations to test Israel

As the opening verse of Judges Chapter 3 tells us, the Lord deliberately left five nations in the land of Canaan after the Israelites had defeated and taken over them. God intended to use these nations to test the fidelity and faithfulness of Israel. The nations left behind were the Philistines, the Hivites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, and the Hittites.

Israel was supposed to learn war, but some forgot the Lord and served other gods

Israel’s relationship with God was based on their obedience to Him. And as long as they remained obedient to the Lord, they would be victorious in battle. The Book of Deuteronomy affirms that the Lord was the one who trained Israel to be an army to fight their enemies. However, some Israelites neglected their duty to serve the Lord and, instead, served other gods. This was a complete betrayal of their God, and they faced severe repercussions as a result.

The Lord sold Israel into the hand of King Kushan Rishathayam for eight years before raising a deliverer

Because of Israel’s disobedience, the Lord allowed them to fall into the hands of King Kushan Rishathayam of Mesopotamia. Israel served Kushan Rishathayam for eight years. But the Lord, in His mercy, wasn’t oblivious to the plight of His people. He raised a deliverer, Othniel, the son of Kinas, as a judge to lead Israel to victory against Kushan Rishathayam.

Othniel, the son of Kinas, was raised up by the Lord to defeat Kushan Rishatham and deliver Israel

Othniel was a man of courage and obedience. He led the Israelites into battle against Kushan Rishathayam, and the Lord delivered the enemy into their hands. Israel was free from the oppression of their enemies for the forty years that Othniel judged them.

Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord again, and Eglon, king of Moab, was strengthened against them

After the death of Othniel, the Israelites fell back to their old ways of disobedience to God. And their disobedience led to a new oppression. This time, Eglon, the king of Moab, was strengthened against them. Eventually, the people of Israel cried out to the Lord for help, and He raised up Ehud, the son of Gira, to deliver them from the hands of Eglon.

Ehud, the son of Gira, was raised up by the Lord to deliver Israel from Eglon

Ehud was chosen by God for a specific purpose – to infiltrate the throne room of Eglon and to assassinate him, thereby freeing the Israelites from his oppression. Through his cunning and bravery, Ehud accomplished this task – killing the king and then escaping.

Ehud assassinated Eglon with a dagger and escaped

Ehud’s daring feat signaled the beginning of a military campaign. The Israelites, having now been inspired by Ehud’s victory over the Moabites, rallied and fought against the Moabites, killing about 10,000 of them. As a result, they were able to force the Moabites into submission and deliver their land from their oppression.

The children of Israel killed about 10,000 men of Moab and subdued them

In conclusion, the Book of Judges, Chapter 3, is replete with stories of Israel’s struggles in their pursuit of obeying God. It’s a perfect reminder of the consequences of disobedience and apostasy. The Audio Bible’s NKJV narration captures the essence of the struggle the Israelites engaged in – a struggle that we, as Christians, can learn from even in this modern-day world. Ultimately, the message is clear: by following the Lord, Israel overcame their enemies. And so shall we, if we continue to trust and serve Him.

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