3. INIQUITY COMBATTED (Judges 3:7 to 16:31)

The major portion of Judges records seven rebellious abandonments of God and His commandments. The repeated refrain of Judges:

Judges 17:6, 21:25 "In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes." (KJV)

Sin was followed by servitude to one of the surrounding nations which produced in Israel, sorrow. God acted in mercy, and again and again brought salvation through a deliverer. In this way iniquity was combated. There is much to learn from the men God used.

Israel came under oppression of CUSHAN-RISHATHAIM, king of Mesopotamia (Judges 3:8 ). God's anger was against them because:

Judges 3:7 "So the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD. They forgot the LORD their God, and served the Baals and Asherahs." (NKJV)

Their wicked idolatry included worship of Baal, a Canaanite god of fertility, and Ashtaroth, the fertility and war goddess. The consequence was enslavement by Cushan-Rishathaim, whose name means "doubly-wicked Cushan", for eight years. Idolatry is worship of the created rather than the Creator.

Romans 1:23 "And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things." (KJV)

Idolatry is not limited to worshipping material idols manufactured by man: "covetousness, which is idolatry" (Colossians 3:5 KJV). Any thing or person claiming our primary loyalty becomes 'Another god'. Covetousness - the insatiable desire to possess brings possession by that thing, which becomes an idol.

Repentance brought grace, redemption and restoration:

Judges 3:9 "And when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD..." (KJV)

Judges 3:9 "... the LORD raised up a deliverer ..." (KJV)

He was around and had experience in victory (Joshua 15:13-19 ), but for eight years remained inactive because he could not act without the Lord's call and appointment.

Judges 3:10 "And the spirit of the LORD came upon him ..." (KJV)

With the appointing came the anointing - God empowered Othniel as judge, and saved His people. Talent and experience are not enough, a leader must be "endued with power from on high." (Luke 24:49 KJV).

Judges 3:10-11 "and his hand prevailed against Chushanrishathaim. 11 And the land had rest forty years ..." (KJV)

He continued to live in victory for 40 years. Died in triumphant faith. God intends us to live in triumphant, victorious faith as his people.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Can you define what idolatry means, and why it is evil in God's sight? (Judges 3;7; Romans 1:23; Colossians 3:5 ).
2. Why, in your opinion, did Othniel wait eighty years before he became Israel's judge and deliverer Israel? (Judges 3: 9 ).
3. While a leader may be talented and experienced, what in addition, do you know the leader must have? (Judges 3:10; Luke 24:49 ).