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, Caleb’s younger brother. 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 forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died. Judges 3:9-11
God raised up a judge to release the sons of Israel from eight years of slavery. Othniel’s obedience to God resulted in 40 years of rest and being right with God. How subtle sin is as it lures us in. The Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites all seduced Israel into intermarrying and accepting their gods. It all happened within one generation after Joshua’s death. Amazing. But, God in His love and foreknowledge prepared a judge to deliver them.
How often does God need to judge my life and deliver me? Is there any area where I am compromising my values and ‘intermarrying’ with ideas and values of foreign gods?
Lord, I want You and Your Word to be my guide for life. Prompt me by Your Holy Spirit if there is anything in my thinking that is foreign to You. I will gladly trade 8 years of bondage to the world for 40 years of rest with You.
