Judges 3:1-11 A NATION THAT DID NOT LEARN There seems to be an attitude in a nation as generations pass that the next generation is smarter, brighter, better and totally capable of making whatever changes they want without any input from the older generation, or even from the lessons of history. In fact, "revisionist history" is quite popular because it makes people think that the events of the past have very little, if any, bearing on the present and the future. The history of the nation of Israel is full of lessons for us that we can apply to situations in our day. They failed to completely drive out their enemies in the promised land as the Lord had commanded. Instead, they accommodated themselves to suit the lifestyle of those who were idolaters. Intermarriage began to blend the Israelites with those of different cultures and beliefs. But instead of the others wanting to be like the Israelites, the Israelites became like them.
When the downward cycle began, there was sin that was indulged in, and was soon accepted as normal. The various cultural groups that were left in the land were used by God to test the children of Israel to the extent that they became servants to the enemies of God. There will always be obstacles to righteous living and holiness. This kind of life is not attractive to unbelievers until they find themselves in some serious situation, and then they call on God. True, separation from the world system, its ways, its values and its motivation are not popular. They think we have a "holier than thou" attitude, and are not relevant to life in the world today. The next generation is taught in schools to be tolerant of everybody else and to not hurt their feelings. "We want everyone to "feel comfortable."
Obstacles are a test of faith that God allows to come into our lives. Obstacles will keep us looking to Him for guidance and the needed wisdom to overcome the obstacles. There are different situations that arise to test us as to where we have placed out trust. Problems that come to us in many areas of our lives are allowed to remind us of the principle of faith and how we are to apply faith to a matter to which we need a solution. God knows the reason for anything that comes our way. Sometimes people who oppose are used by God on our behalf to focus our attention on Him and strengthen our faith in Him. The early disciples in an incident recorded in the book of Acts said plainly to those who opposed them, "We ought to obey God rather than man."
The relationships we form in our lives affect our faith. They can be positive when we are built up in our faith by what we share with other people. Or they can be negative and bring us down and away from God if the Lord is not the objective behind the relationship. Any believer can tell when they are getting weaker in the faith even though they may try to hide it. A Christian loses the deep inner joy that is characteristic of one who is in fellowship with God. In its place there is a light-weight, shallow giggle that is supposed to mean, "I am happy." Many unbelievers around us are very nice people and we are attracted to them. There is nothing wrong with sharing interests with others, helping them and showing interest in their well-being. But when that connection is in danger of becoming a yoke, we must back away.
Some of God's people, in spite of the scriptural and spiritual advice of brothers and sisters in Christ, deliberately go into unequal yokes with their eyes wide open. Usually it is not very long before they find there are fundamental differences that will hinder or stop their walk with the Lord. Business, religion, marriage, culture - all of these can bring a child of God into servitude from which they cannot escape. The Israelites added idol worship to their worship of God to avoid being persecuted by those over whom they should have claimed authority. Religions want to blend together today "to make Christianity more acceptable" to those around us who are not Christians. Nothing good comes from compromising the truth to make the worship of God more appealing to the natural man. Such an entanglement with unbelievers by compromising and imitating their lifestyle or even religious ways is a danger to our fellowship with God and His people. We can connect with unbelievers in friendship with the objective of letting them know who we are and what we believe. Never lose sight of the fact that we represent Christ.
The Israelites seemed to think that Baal, their god of agriculture, weather and nature - that their enemies worshipped; and Ashtaroth, the female goddess of fertility, had some beneficial features that appealed to them. We know better than to attribute any benefit to such idols, but, whether we like to admit it or not, there are things that claim our time and allegiance if we are not careful. Whatever my thoughts and attention are on most of the time may be my downfall. It has the potential of stumbling others and controlling me. The pursuit of materialistic gain, fame and self-interest can be an idol that claims us
Into this time of departure God raised up Othniel, The Ideal judge. (1:10 - 15; 3:9-11). He was the first one of the Period of the Judges: (3:7 - 16:31). During the times of the judges, Kirjath-sepher (city of the brook) became Hebron (place of fellowship). He and his wife, who also was one of God's people, were together in the work. He had learned by the example of Caleb. He was available for God to use so the Spirit of the Lord came upon him for the work set before him. He dealt with the Lord's people first and then went to war against the enemies. The Lord worked through him and a generation was blessed because of him. He had a strong family background (1/2 brother or nephew of Caleb) and he had seen the principles of trust and obedience in Caleb. Othniel was a man of proven ability who had won victories, was skilled and was proven in battle. He demonstrated courage when he took Cushan, Kirjath-sepher was a stronghold of giants. His personal faith (3:10) led him to be directed by the Lord. "The Spirit of the Lord came upon him." He was the man for his generation. The Spirit of God gave him the power to do extraordinary things in order to bring God's people back in repentance where He could show them mercy. As a result, the nation had forty years of rest.
Some lessons for us to learn from Othniel and this passage of scripture are that we need to spend time in Hebron. We need the fellowship of the Lord and His people. We need to reassess our love for the Lord and get to know the Book (the Bible) better. When we do, we may tremble before it as the Word of the Living God but the power of its instruction, we should be filled with the Spirit, cast out worldliness from our hearts, knowing that what we do will affect our families and associates. God gives physical, mental and spiritual strength in life so we can face the challenges will face with confidence in God.