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7 And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. They forgot the Lord their God and served the Baals and the Asheroth. 8 Therefore the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia. And the people of Israel served Cushan-rishathaim eight years. 9 But when the people of Israel cried out to the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer for the people of Israel, who saved them, Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother. 10 The Spirit of the Lord was upon him, and he judged Israel. He went out to war, and the Lord gave Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand. And his hand prevailed over Cushan-rishathaim. 11 So the land had rest forty years. Then Othniel the son of Kenaz died.
Judges 3:7-11 ESV
I. Grace
A. The word abound means something continues to exist in large numbers. This is why it is understood when God’s grace is hard to understand/grasp.
B. Grace from anyone or anything is great! Yet, grace from God is greatest even if it is terrifying.
(Verses: Romans 5:20, Genesis 3:14-15)
II. Israel Spitting in the Face of God
A. The people did what was evil in God’s sight. It is in the direct disobedience of Deuteronomy that gets Israel where they are here.
B. Israel is so encapsulated with their own selfish sin that not only do they do what is wrong in the eyes of God they forget He exists.
III. Cry of the Self-Trapped Sheep
A. In righteous judgement God handed His sinning people over to the Double Evil one, to be held in captive by him to do His will.
B. God cares about a self-trapped sheep who does not cry in repentance. God cares about the useless creature who got themselves in the situation and just wants the pain gone.
(Verses: Psalm 78:34, 1 Timothy 1:20)
IV. The Raised Deliverer
A. As a lion of God, God sends Othniel and saves His people by overthrowing the Double Evil who captured Israel.
B. The rest from the war that Othniel brought was only temporary. This is good but, better is to come.
(Verse: Psalm 89:19-23)
V. Next Steps: Stronger One has Come
A. Jesus is the True Strong One. Their freedom was bound up with the life of the Judge, our freedom is bound up in the death and eternal resurrection of Christ.
(Verse: Luke 11:21, John 8:34-36)