Judges 3:1-11. Caleb’s younger brother Othniel is the
little-known first judge of Israel. God left a number of powerful and advanced
civilisations around Israel because of their rebellion. Giving them a chance to
convert and be rewarded with victory. Instead the Israelites capitulated and
mingled first sexually and then spiritually with the more showy civilizations
around them. Never forget that the Philistines and the Hittites, and probably
the others, were really advanced and the Hebrews were really primitive. They
had things the Hebrews wanted, and they looked good. But they oppressed the
poor to fund this, and they oppressed the land too, Israel was not always a
desert. God’s ways are better in the long run but how often are we won over by
the charms of Satan’s quick fixes? Do we aspire for our children that they
might know God, or that they might be attractive, successful and respected? How
often I aspire for the latter for myself. God wants us to have all this, and He
will give it to us in eternity, but at this time God wishes to build character
in us.
I should also add that this story illustrates how sexual
impurity leads to spiritual apostasy.
God is worth being devoted to. I have experienced the change
in my life that God brought when I allowed Him to. How I became humble and got
my priorities right. This is worth sharing, because if God can do it for me He
can do it for you.
I want to serve God like Othniel not fame and fortune. How
about you?
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