7The children of Israel did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight, and forgot Yahweh their God, and served the Baals and the Asheroth. 8Therefore Yahweh’s anger burned against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Cushan Rishathaim king of Mesopotamia; and the children of Israel served Cushan Rishathaim eight years. 9When the children of Israel cried to Yahweh, Yahweh raised up a savior to the children of Israel, who saved them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother. 10Yahweh’s Spirit came on him, and he judged Israel; and he went out to war, and Yahweh delivered Cushan Rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand. His hand prevailed against Cushan Rishathaim. 11The land had rest forty years, then Othniel the son of Kenaz died.
The book of Judges tells the history of the Children of Israel after the death of Joshua. There is no longer one leader like Moses and Joshua, instead now God raises up leaders in times of crisis to rescue and guide the people back to him. Throughout this time in Israelite history there are 12 judges, they are all listed in the book of Judges, but it concentrates on 6 main characters. For the next 6 days we too will concentrate on these 6 judges.
The Children of Israel stop fighting battles and winning territory and instead they merge into the cultures around them. They do all the things that God asked them not to do.
And so, it happened just as God had said it would, the King of Aram-naharaim conquered the Israelites and they served under his reign of terror for eight years. Eventually the Israelites began to cry out to God for mercy and rescue. God hears the cries of his people and despite their disobedience he has mercy on them and raises up a man called Othniel. Othniel is the first judge to bring deliverance to the people. The Spirit of the Lord is with Othniel and God gives him victory over the enemy king and so the people are again set free. He takes on this position of Judge and under Othniel’s leading the people have 40 years of peace.
There are times, sometimes through poor choices and sometimes not, we get in situations where it feels like the enemy is winning and sin is holding us captive. Isn’t it good to know that God wants to bring rescue and mercy. He is stronger than our situation and his love is greater than our sin. Like the Children of Israel, we need to cry out to him.