When the Israelites came to the border of the Promised Land, they were expected to go in and drive out the unbelieving inhabitants. But the Israelites didn't live up to the Lord's expectations of them. They complained that they were too strong with their iron chariots of war. The Lord then left those tribes in the Promised Land to teach obedience to the Lord's word and to teach the Israelites warfare. So, many of the tribes ended up sharing the land with the Israelites. They intermarried with them and took their gods as their own. The Israelites' compromised with the Lord's enemies. They paid a price for that.

The Lord became angry with Israel for their disobedience and their turning away from him toward other gods. So, he sent Cushan-Rishathaim, king of Aram Naharaim against them. The Israelites were defeated and suffered under them for eight years. But when they cried out to the Lord, he sent Othniel to them in the Spirit of the Lord. He defeated Aram Naharaim and the land had peace until Othniel died. When they turned to the Lord, he sent them a deliverer.


Application: Father, may you grant us the Spirit of the Lord by which we may fight against the true enemy-the sin of the world. Thank you for your mercy on repentant sinners.
One Word: By the Spirit of the Lord, drive out the enemy