Judges Series #3 Life Cycles
“Othniel: Spirit-powered Servant”
Review
Last week we identified the life cycle that repeats seven times in the book.
Sin-Slavery-Supplication-Salvation-Service
Everyone runs this cycle many times throughout his or her life. In chapter one, the tribe of Judah “inquired of the Lord” what they should do and experienced victory over the enemy.
In the last chapter, the writer records, “everyone did what was right in their OWN eyes” and they succumbed to idolatry, immorality and anarchy. Judges illustrates the course and consequences of rebellion against God, compromise and doing one’s own thing so that we might take heed and continually embrace God’s ways. Judges illumines the path to deliverance that we too might repent and cry out to God for deliverance. Judges also powerfully illustrates how God uses ordinary, even reluctant and unlikely people to facilitate extraordinary deliverance in response to our cries for help.
Basic Overview in Outline form
I. Life Cycle Identified 1-2
II. Life Cycle Illustrated (Seven examples) 3-16
III. Sin Illustrated 17-21
Historical Background
Two problems plagued this developing nation as they settled in their promised homeland.
This was a land promised by God to Abraham and acquired through the leadership of Moses and Joshua. Judges tracks a new generation of Israelites unfamiliar with God or a personal encounter with God’s loving protection and deliverance experienced by their ancestors. They felt no obligation to follow His way of doing things and every man what seemed right to them.
They served neither God nor God-ordained leaders. Another problem revolved around moral and national compromise. They not only allowed the polluted nations God destined for destruction to remain in their land, they actually became friends and intermarried. Such alliances with the enemy brought devastating moral and spiritual compromise. They tried to serve both God and the gods of the surrounding people. Jesus clarified the point that NONE can serve two masters. You can’t serve God and money. God clearly demands and expects exclusive devotion.
Since the Israelites failed to eradicate the evil, God used the evil to train the people.
He used their presence to train the people to be alert and fight evil.
He used their presence among them to test their allegiance to Him.
I. Life Cycle Identified
A. Incomplete obedience brings divine discipline 1:1-2:5
1. Judah’s Victories 1:1-20
2. The other tribe’s failures 1:21-2:5
B. A flashback to Joshua’s death 2:6-10
C. Life cycle identified 2:11-23
1. SIN 2:11-13
2. SLAVERY 2:14-15
3. SUPPLICATION
4. SALVATION 2:16-17
5. SERVICE 2:18
II. Life Cycle Illustrated 3-16
Observations regarding the illustrations
They cycle does not always play out in every cycle.
The writer chose only events from this point in history to illustrate his point.
The writer presents the events without regard to true chronology.
The writer chose events from various tribes and locations.
The writer purposely chose his material to make a graphic point regarding the consequences of violating God’s way and turning from God to self.
Each cycle progressively gets worse.
Each cycle a suitable deliverer becomes more and more difficult to find.
He started with Othniel a faithful proven servant of Yahweh and ends with Samson the poter child for all that was wrong in Israel.
A. Othniel – God-empowered faithful servant
The first cycle turns out to be a bare bones illustration that leaves a ton of unanswered questions regarding the action. The author reinforces the deplorable compromise between Israel and the perverted nations that they allowed to stay in the land against God’s orders. He listed some of the remaining nations and then repeated their relationship to Israel. and they took their daughters for themselves as wives, and gave their own daughters to their sons, and served their gods. Judges 3:6
Because of the intermarriage, the people fell prey to their evil demonic practices. This is exactly what Moses warned them not to do two generations before.
and when the LORD your God delivers them before you and you defeat them, then you shall utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them and show no favor to them. "Furthermore, you shall not intermarry with them; you shall not give your daughters to their sons, nor shall you take their daughters for your sons. "For they will turn your sons away from following Me to serve other gods; then the anger of the LORD will be kindled against you and He will quickly destroy you. Deuteronomy 7:2-4
1. SIN
The sons of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgot the LORD their God and served the Baals and the Asheroth. Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, so that He sold them into the hands of Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia; and the sons of Israel served Cushan-rishathaim eight years. Jud 3:7-8
So many words for sin in these two short verses.
They did what was evil in the Lord’s sight.
They forgot their eternal God there Almighty warrior.
The verb generally denotes not a physical inevitability among humans, but rather a willful choice to ignore something that a person knows he is to do.
They served (render personal bodily service) the deplorable demonic powers of the Baal and Asheroth.
The emotion of anger is a natural response to evil, actual or perceived that serves to motivate us to action. Israel’s deliberate wickedness stirred anger in the heart of God that motivated Him to act. The Spirit inspired the word “kindled” which meant to start a fire or a burning. The evil acts of Israel started a burning fire in God’s emotions that led to action.
2. Slavery
Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, so that He sold them into the hands of Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia; and the sons of Israel served Cushan-rishathaim eight years. Judges 3:8
Their evil stirred anger and prompted God to “sell” His people into slavery. That means God allowed a foreign power to enclave His chosen people. In this case it was a king from Mesopotamia/Babylon. All that we know about this king of Mesopotamia is what is recorded here. His name, Chushan-rishathaim, is probably only a title that the Israelites gave Him mean “doubly wicked” from Cush. He was not just a strong tribal leader but a powerful leader whose influence extended all the way from somewhere east of the Euphrates River down as far south as Judah and held the territory for eight years. He appears to be the most powerful leader mentioned matched up with the godliest judge. Everything else deteriorates from there.
It is historically impossible to link this ruler with any known ruler of the time but whoever this guy was, God allowed him to make life miserable in Israel.
3. Supplication
When the sons of Israel cried to the LORD,
This cry out to God is not necessarily a cry of repentance for sin but the anguish of a person in a distressing situation in desperate need of deliverance. In 10:4 God tells them to cry to the god’s they committed to worship. However, out of His great mercy, God considers their pain and formulates a plan for deliverance using one of their own.
4. Salvation
But when the people of Israel cried out to the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer for the people of Israel, who saved them, Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother. Judges 3:9
Such a simple statement. The people cried, the Lord raised up a deliverer, the deliverer became the agent of deliverance. Othniel, whose name means “God is my strength” had proven courageous and faithful in previous encounters with the enemy. In fact his defeat of Debir won him the hand of his dad’s brother Caleb’s daughter. He came from a brave clan.
Yet that was not the secret of his ability to deliver Israel from a powerful king just as it is not the secret of our power against the enemy. He delivered Israel because Yahweh called (raised up) and empowered him.
The Spirit of the LORD was upon him, and he judged Israel. He went out to war, and the LORD gave Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand. And his hand prevailed over Cushan-rishathaim. Judges 3:10
Two fold victory here. The sovereign God empowered Othniel and unplugged Cushan. Just as God had given Israel into Cushan’s hand, He now gives Cushan into Othniel’s hand.
5. Service
And his hand prevailed over Cushan-rishathaim. So the land had rest forty years. Then Othniel the son of Kenaz died. Judges 3:11
We serve an empowering God. The work of the Holy Spirit runs all through the Old Testament.
He did not appear on earth at Pentecost. He cooperated in the affairs of earth from the day he hovered over the face of the waters at creation. The tracing of the Holy Spirit’s activity throughout history is a rich study. We have done more extensive teaching on this subject in times past. I will make a more extended presentation of the subject available to those who wish.
Today I want to summarize the person and work of the spirit and apply it to us today in relation of the divine power promised to ordinary followers of Jesus.
WHO IS HE?
He is the third member of the trinity separate but equal and one with the Father and Son.
He, like the other members of Trinity, is revealed by many names. Spirit of the Lord, Spirit of Christ, Spirit of life, holiness, wisdom, truth, glory, counsel, grace. The New Testament focuses on the name “Encourager” on who comes near to empower and direct.
He is invisible but personal (He is NOT and it or a force or merely and energy)
He is a person.
He bears ALL the attributes associated with the Son and Father.
His recorded ministry during the Old Testament times.
• Ability to create and give life.
• Source of life.
• Stirs hearts to work.
• Instills skills to individuals to work.
• Stirs individuals to teach others
• Stirs hearts to give.
• Enables to draw others to God
• Skills leaders to bear burdens
• Communicates the truth
• Provides wisdom for good decisions
• Imparts strategy for conducting warfare
• Provides ability to rally people
• Gives supernatural physical strength
• Enables prophetic proclamations
• Generates a righteous response to evil
• Provides protection from attack
• Speaks words of encouragement
• Provides specific direction
• Confronts concerning sin.
• Gives vision for the future.
• Gives courage to confront sin.
• Calms fears by His presence
As you can see, the Holy Spirit didn’t start working at Pentecost. The Pentecost event did usher in one significant difference. Rather than coming upon certain individuals for a particular ministry, the Holy Spirit now regenerates (new birth) and permanently indwells EVERY genuine follower of Jesus. Now He is continually accessible to EVERY Christian rather than a select few.
This is a summary of specific ministries revealed in the New Testament today.
Current Work related to Conversion
1. Baptism 1 Cor 12:13
2. Regeneration (Inner Core Change) John 3:3-8 Titus 3:5-7
3. Indwelling
4. Sealing 2 Cor. 1:22 Eph 1:13
Current Work related to spiritual growth and development
1. Filling and empowering for life and service
2. He Teaches truth
3. He Bears Witness to Truth
4. He anoints with Power to Proclaim the Truth
5. He enables Prayer Eph 2:18
6. He provides Specific Direction when necessary
7. He Continually Transforms the soul
He is the source of New Life -- Romans 8:2,6,11 Galatians 5:25 Galatians 6:8
He produces eternal Fruit -- Gal 22-23
He inspires genuine Love Romans 5:5 Col. 1:8
He gives Joy and Peace Romans 14:17
8. He inspires eternal Hope Romans 15:13
9. He enables genuine Fellowship 2 Cor. 13:14 Ephes. 4:3 Phil 2:1
10. He furnishes Inner Strength & Power Ephes. 3:16-Col. 1:9-12
11. He supplies Power over the flesh Rom 8:12-14 Gal 5:16-25
12. He stimulates genuine Worship John 4:23-24 Philip. 3:3
13. He encourages Perseverance in tribulation Gal 5:5 1 Pet 4:14
14. He mysteriously physically transports people Acts 8:38-40
15. He gives truth and direction through Prophetic Visions
The Holy Spirit specifically ministers with the Church as a whole.
1. He places or installs (baptism of the Spirit) individual members into the body of Christ
2. He is the source of growth Acts 9:31 Eph 2:22
3. He is in charge of leadership appointments and gifting Acts 13:2-4 Eph 4:11-13
4. He distributes Spiritual gifts according to HIS will
Let us return to the context of our current text and apply it to today.
Due to rebellion, Israel suffered bondage to a ruthless enemy that kept them enslaved. They cried out to God for deliverance from their bondage. God called and empowered a deliverer who impeded the enemy. Two stages in deliverance the empowering of a deliverer and the impeding of the enemy. The one into whose hands God sold His people, God now sell into the hands of His people. Reverse bondage.
Followers of Jesus, for one reason or another, suffer the ravages of bondage. Bondage describes the inability to choose what I know is right. Bondage describes the inability to serve God as I know I should. For all the press regarding our personal rights and freedoms, in reality, we are a nation spiritual, morally, physically, mentally enslaved to so many things. Much of it has to do with the pursuit of meaning in life apart from God. God allows the bondage in order to draw us to Himself and cry out for deliverance. That deliverance comes through God using Spirit-empowered people in our life. In order to see the Holy Spirit’s power work in our life and in our church we need to stop quenching Him by our lack of surrender and grieving Him by our sinful choices. The New Testament is full of illustrations of this most amazing delivering power of the Holy Spirit.
When the Israelites longed to return to Jerusalem after 70 years of bondage, God said this.
Then the angel said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel saying, 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD of hosts. Zechariah 4:6
Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you.
Luke 10:19
but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you Acts 1:8
Even after the day of Pentecost and original Empowering of the Holy Spirit there were on going movements. After a time of devastating persecution, the church gathered to cry out to God.
"And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus." And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness. Acts 4:29-31
Though we live in a physical, we do not war by means of a physical body, for the weapons of our warfare are not physical, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete. 2 Corinthians 10:3-6
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:10-12
Be aware, be empowered, be armed, be aggressive.
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21
God want to empower us to bring about things that are beyond all we could ask or think.
He wants to display His glory through the church.
Be filled with the Holy Spirit. Eph 5:18
The word means to permeate, fill, captivate, control. The concept is the result of yielding to His direction and receiving His power. Yet the church today is weak. The church today has reverted to trying accomplishing through natural means what could only be accomplished through the power of the Spirit. What can we point to that would not have happen without the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit?
strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously Colossians 1:11
Paul prayed that they would Know and experience the power of His resurrection.
Paul preached by the power of the Spirit not with powerful words.
We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me. Colossians 1:28-29
Where is the power of the Spirit in the church and its members today?
The power to destroy stronghold and promote the truth of Christ
The power to proclaim the gospel in hostile territory
The power to break addictions
The power to resist the enemy’s attacks for ourselves and others
The power to escape the snare of the devil having been held captive to do his will rather than God’s
What binds you today? Let us as a church cry out to him! We look to Him to empower us and impede, immobilize and imprison the enemy that binds us. Paul declared that God would crush Satan under OUR feet. The one who once bound us, will himself be subject to and judged by us.
