Daily Devotions
Filled with the Holy Spirit
"The Spirit of the LORD came upon him..."
Text: Judges 3:10
THE PERIOD OF THE JUDGES
Historically, this took place after the demise of Joshua. The land of Canaan had more or less been conquered. There were pockets of resistance and these should have been dealt with summarily.
However, the next generation of leaders felt that the remaining occupants of Canaan were better off subjugated. They could be their slaves and Israel the master. This was a tragic mistake.
There was no clear leadership during this period of time. The tribes were caught up with establishing their tribal concerns and interests. They did not do much nation building during this time. This was another fundamental error.
A SOMBRE SUMMARY
The following text may serve as a summary statement of the state of affairs in the period of the Judges.
“When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers,
another generation arose after them who did not know the LORD
nor the work which He had done for Israel.
Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD,
and served the Baals; and they forsook the LORD God of their fathers,
who had brought them out of the land of Egypt; and they followed other
gods from among the gods of the people who were all around them,
and they bowed down to them; and they provoked the LORD to anger.”
Judges 2:10-12
THE MERCY OF THE LORD
Before too long, Israel was overwhelmed by the very people they had subjugated. They arose and oppressed Israel instead. In their great sorrow they cried to the Lord for mercy and deliverance.
“When the children of Israel cried out to the LORD,
the LORD raised up a deliverer for the children of Israel,
who delivered them: Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother.
The Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel.
He went out to war, and the LORD delivered
Cushan-Rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand;
and his hand prevailed over Cushan-Rishathaim.
So the land had rest for forty years. Then Othniel the son of Kenaz died.”
Judges 3:9-11
1. “When the children of Israel cried out to the LORD”
a) Out of sheer desperation these prayers were made.
b) Out of grace and mercy these prayers were heard and answered.
2. “The LORD raised up a deliverer”
This was going to become a pattern during the period of the Judges. Othniel, the younger brother of Caleb was the first of the judges God would raise up to deliver Israel out of its woes and predicaments!
3. “The Spirit of the LORD”
He would need both to anoint and to empower the judge that the Lord raised up to deliver Israel. The power of the Spirit of God would then ensure significant victory over mighty enemies!