Scripture: Judges 3:1-5

C.I.: The Spirit of the Lord Came upon Him

Last week… - We noted how the battles they fought physically are ones we fight spiritually (“Sin-Cycle”)!
Today we are going to note the first of the judges – and see how his life is truly a paradigm - for all to follow.

I. “Not by Strength nor by Power, but by My Spirit”

A. The Consequences of Sin (Judges 3:6-9)

1. The problems people have to deal with – are often those they have brought upon themselves.
a. God had commanded the people – even before they entered the Promised Land – not to intermarry
1) (Deut. 7:2-4), “When the Lord your God shall deliver the nations before you, and you shall 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.”
2) Sadly, the people chose to do what they wanted – instead of what God commanded.
3) (Jgs. 3:5-8a), “And the sons of Israel lived among the Canaanites… - and they took their daughters for themselves as wives, - and gave their own daughters to their sons, and served their gods. – And the sons of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and forgot the Lord their God, and served the Baals & Ashteroth.”

b. We have all done it & hoped we could get away with it – but God loves us too much to allow our sin to go unchecked – (yet its better to be disciplined now & repent – than be punished in eternity).
1) Discipline comes in many forms: emotional guilt, physical pain, civil penalties, etc.
2) (Heb. 12:5-6, 11), “My son, do not lightly regard the discipline of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by Him, for those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He chastens every son He receives … All discipline for the moment seems not joyful but sorrowful…!”

2. God often uses the natural consequences of the poor choice(s) we make – to discipline us!
a. Israel gave its worship to a foreign god – so Jehovah gave them into the hands of a foreign tyrant!
1) (Jgs. 3:8b), “Then the anger of the Lord was kindled - so God sold Israel into the hands of Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia; and the sons of Israel served Cushan-rishathaim eight years.”
2) “Cushan” = his name; “Rishathaim” = his title, it means, “Doubly-wicked” (to evoke fear!)
3) Sin is a terrible master! – It promises much and delivers little – except in the end (Rom. 6:23)!

B. God Raises Up a Deliverer (Judges 3:9-11)

1. After 8 years the people cry out in their oppression - (Jgs. 3:9), “When the sons of Israel cried to the Lord, - the Lord raised up a deliverer for the sons of Israel to deliver them, - Othniel the son of Kenaz
a. Two things are important to note about Othniel
1) He did not “biologically” belong to Israel (Kenizzite = Moses father-in-law) – yet God chose him on the basis of his faith – not his family! – Who is here today – serving God in spite of the fact that you may come from a non- Xn heritage? – It is such a blessing to be raised in a Christian home. – Yet God uses those who come to Him by faith - not family (Heb. 11:1, 6).
2) He had already proven himself faithful – (Jgs. 1:11-13), “…they went against the inhabitants of Debir (formerly Kiriath-sepher). – And Caleb said, ‘The one who attacks Kiriath-sepher and captures it, I will give to him my daughter Achsah for a wife.’ – And Othniel the son of Kenaz, captured it; so he gave him Achsah for a wife.”

2. When God raises someone up – He empowers them so they can successfully accomplish God’s task!
a. (Jgs. 3:10-11), “And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he judged Israel. – When he went out to war, - the Lord gave Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand, so that he prevailed over Cushan-rishathaim. – Then the land had rest for 40 years. – And Othniel the son..”
1) Cushan is mentioned twice in v. 10 – yet this “doubly-wicked” – doubly-mentioned person - is no match for the Spirit of God!

b. God empowers every believer today – so that we might have victory over every adversary!!
1) God has raised up every believer – (Eph. 2:6; Col. 3:1), “God has raised… - If you have….”
2) (Eph. 3:16, 20), “…that He would grant you to be strengthened with POWER…Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the….!”
3) (Zech. 4:6-7), “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. – What are you, O great mountain? – Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain.”

c. Sadly, Christians will often today try to “go it alone” – and will fail miserably!
1) (Eph. 4:30-31), “Do not grieve the H.S. by whom … let all bitterness, wrath, anger…”
2) (I Thess. 5:19- 20), “Do not quench the Spirit; - do not despise God’s teachings.”

d. Now when we live in obedience to the Spirit – He empowers us to walk successfully in His will.
1) (Rom. 8:5, 14; Gal. 5:24-25), “…those who are according to the Spirit set their minds … - For all who are being led by the S., these are sons of God … Now those who belong to C….”
2) Then, even if we are threatened by our own “Rishathaim” (doubly-wicked) thing (whatever that is in our lives) – God will give us the victory – (Matt. 4:1, 11a), “Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil … and the devil left Him!” (VICTORY)

CONCLUSIONS:

1. God in His love uses the consequences of our choices – to help us to mature spiritually.

2. Those who are led by the Spirit – will be victorious in all areas.

3. The Spirit of God is the believer’s power-source for victory, (Matt. 3:16-17; Gal. 3:26-27).