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Judges 3 · Grade 5

Crying Out to God

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Read and Think

The nations left in Canaan served as a test of whether Israel would obey the commandments God gave through Moses. Israel failed the test: they intermarried with the Canaanites and served the Baals and the Asheroth. Yahweh's anger burned, and He sold them to Cushan Rishathaim, king of Mesopotamia.

The first judge shows the pattern clearly. Israel cried out, Yahweh raised up a savior, His Spirit came on Othniel, and Othniel prevailed. The land had rest forty years. But when Israel did evil again, God strengthened Eglon king of Moab against them, and he took the city of palm trees.

Ehud, a left-handed Benjamite, carried Israel's tribute to Eglon with a hidden sword. Alone with the king, he said he had a message from God and struck him. Ehud escaped, blew the trumpet in Ephraim, and Israel held the fords of the Jordan and defeated Moab. The land had rest eighty years. Shamgar also saved Israel, striking six hundred Philistines with an ox goad.

Show What You Know

  1. What did the remaining nations test?

  2. What four steps does Othniel's story show?

  3. Who strengthened Eglon against Israel?

  4. What did Ehud do after he escaped?

  5. How long did the land rest after Ehud?

Crossword

34152

Across

  1. He used an ox goad
  2. God raised one up when Israel cried

Down

  1. A left-handed judge
  2. King of Moab
  3. The land had this for eighty years

Think About It

  1. Israel cried out only after years of trouble. Why do people often wait so long to turn to God?

  2. God's Spirit came on Othniel. How does God give His people strength for the work He gives them?

Memory Verse

“When the children of Israel cried to Yahweh, Yahweh raised up a savior to the children of Israel, who saved them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother.”

Judges 3:9 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for raising up helpers for Your people. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

  • How is crying out to God different from just feeling sorry?
  • Who has God used to help you when you needed it?
  • What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.