A. WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM?
1. “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (21:25).
a. No spiritual leadership to give godly direction.
b. No one preached God’s standard. “In his own eyes.”
c. When left to themselves, they turned to sin … self … satan’s way.
2. What is cycle in Judges?
1. Israel sinned
5. Israel had peace
2. Defeated by enemies
4. Delivered by Judge
3. Israel cried to the Lord
3. Othniel two generations from battle of Jericho.
a. Caleb the older brother – 85 years.
b. His father Kenaz was the younger brother of Caleb.
c. Othniel, 40+ years delivered.
4. Why is Othniel weak and unlikely?
a. Nepotism, from the family of leaders.
b. Youngest in family.
c. Hen-pecked by domineering wife.
5. Othniel was courageous and a good warrior. “Caleb said, ‘Whoever attacks Kirjath Sepher and takes it, to him I will give my daughter Achsah as wife’” (1:12-13).
6. Achsah told Othniel what to do. “When she (Achsah) came to him, that she moved him to ask her father for a field” (1:14).
7. Achsah took over. “When she lighted off her donkey . . . she said, ‘You have given me desert land, give me also springs of water’” (1:14-15).
a. She was unhappy with what her father gave – no water.
b. She demanded “springs of water.”
c. She was greedy. “Give me also” in addition to first gift.
8. She got more than what she asked. Caleb gave her the upper springs and the lower springs (1:15).
a. Source of water.
b. Pools of water.
Many men have lost their leadership ability because they wouldn’t be the spiritual leader in the home. The problem is not the wife, but the lack of spirituality of the husband.
B. WHAT ISRAEL DID WRONG, JUDGES 3:5-8
1. Incomplete obedience. “The children of Israel dwelt among the Canaanites” (3:5).
2. Identified with world. “Took their daughters to be their wives” (3:6).
3. Compromised their children. “Gave their daughters to their sons” (3:6).
4. Complete backsliding. “Forgot the Lord their God” (3:7).
5. Denied their faith. “Served Baals and Asherahs” (3:7).
6. King Cushan-Rishathaim means “the evil one” and “dirty double crosser.” Apparently he made a deal with Israel, but went back on his word.
7. King Cush punished Israel, maybe in retaliation for Joshua’s victory over the Canaanites.
8. King Cush from Mesopotamia (land between the rivers, i.e., Euphrates and Tigris). Israel has always had trouble with Iraq.
C. OTHNIEL THE DELIVERER, JUDGES 3:8-11
1. Everyone was surprised. “The Lord raised up a deliverer . . . even Othniel” (3:9).
2. Something happens to a man when he surrenders to God. “The Spirit of the Lord came upon him” (3:10).
3. Othniel judged Israel first. “He judged Israel and went out to war” (3:10).
a. Dealt with sin first.
b. Dealt with God’s law first.
c. Made righteous decisions first.
d. Communicated God’s vision first.
e. Telling King Cush “no.”
f. Convinced people they could win.
4. There were outposts of soldiers in Israel who collected taxes, enforced slavery, etc.
a. Othniel wiped out these smaller outposts.
b. Defeated larger army and King Cush when he came (3:10).
c. Details of battle unknown, only results.
5. Israel had peace 40 years (3:11) meaning Iraq didn’t come back to tax or fight Israel.
You don’t have the power to obey
until you make a choice to obey
6. Othniel was transformed. He led Israel 40 years. Wife is not mentioned.
7. Advice to young men getting married. Don’t propose to a girl you can’t pray with. If she’s God’s woman, she will want you to take the spiritual leadership in the family.
8. We win spiritual battles two ways:
a. We must fight. “Othniel went out to war . . . and he prevailed” (3:10).
b. God works when we fight. “The Spirit of the Lord came on him . . . and the Lord delivered Cush” (3:10).
9. How to get the Spirit of the Lord on your life.
a. You must be fed up with sin (3:9).
b. You must want God’s peace in your life.
c. You quit compromising and backsliding.
d. You beg God for His presence in your life.
e. You yield to His leadership.
f. You must be willing to attack sin in your life.
g. God wins when He gives you victory.
h. “Don’t be drunk with wine, but be filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18, ELT).
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.
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