GOD SENT JUDGES TO DELIVER HIS PEOPLE

Proclamation

“And when the children of Israel cried unto The Lord, The Lord raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother.”  Judges 3:9 (KJV)

 

Explanation

These are the words of God which were written by the prophet Samuel under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  After the death of Joshua and his generation of elders, the next generation did evil in the sight of The Lord and worshiped the idol gods of the nations around them and this angered The Lord. (Judges 2:10-13)  God let them lose in battle and be plundered by their enemies.  The Israelites were soon in great distress and God raised up judges to save them. (Judges 2:14-16)  When The Lord raised up a judge He was with the judge and saved them from their enemies as long as the judge was alive.  However, when the judge died the children of Israel returned to their corrupt ways worshiping other gods. (Judges 2:18-19)  After the Israelites were subjected to the king of Mesopotamia for eight years, The Lord raised up Othniel, son of Kenaz who was Caleb’s younger brother, to be their judge and deliverer. (Judges 3:7-10)  Othniel judged Israel for forty years.  When he died the Israelites again did evil in the sight of The Lord and He let Eglon king of Moab over power them.  They were subjected to Eglon for eighteen years before God sent Ehud to judge and deliver them. (Judges 3:11-15)

 

Application

Unfortunately, most of us only do that which is right for a little while after we repent from our wrongdoings, then we return to our sinful ways.  And, just like the children of Israel, we repeat this pattern over and over again.  Thankfully, we serve a very forgiving God who takes us back time and time again after we mess up and confess.  We do not deserve His goodness, mercy, and grace which appear to be limitless.  If we do not change, at some point I am sure that our sincerity will be called into question.  Hopefully, on that fateful day, we will not hear Him say, “… I know you not … depart from Me, all ye workers of iniquity.” (Luke 13:27)  Since we are His people, and we are called by His name, let us humble ourselves and pray, and seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways while He still hears us. (2 Chronicles 7:14)  Let us sincerely pray for His help to change, and not just use vain repetitions of words we have heard prayed. (Matthew 6:7)  We also need to sincerely pray for one another for we all need help and the sincere prayer of the righteous is effective. (James 5:16)