Disobedience Equals Defeat Part 2

 

    No one likes the feelings that come with defeat: failure, loss, anguish, exhaustion, and others.  However, God will use defeat to teach us important life lessons.  When we become over confident in our abilities or give ourselves self-importance, then God will remind us that He is the source of it all.  He can use our , health, vigor, money, or anything He choses to speak to us.

    For the Israelites God used war to teach and prepared His people.  They were being tested on obedience.  The big defeat came when they chose to intermarry with the pagan nations.  When a person allows another person of other beliefs into an intimate relationship, then that person will always have influence on how you think, act, and your faith.  Racial issues have nothing to do with intermarriage laws with God.  It is about marrying a person that will pull you away from God instead of strengthening the relationship.

    The First Judge was Othniel.  The Israelites had been serving under another king for eight years crying out to God.  He sent Othniel, Caleb's younger brother.  The Holy Spirit lived in him and gave him the ability to bring peace again for 40 years.  

    Ehud was the second judge.  The people turned to disobedience again and became subjects to Moab for 18 years crying out to God.  Ehud killed the king and the tables were turned.  Moab became their subjects.  They lived in peace for 80 years.

    Shamgar was the third judge.  He struck down 600 Philistines when an ox goad.  He used a privative tool, even in their time, to save his people.  God obviously gave him strength and wit to be able to save Israel that way.

    There is no use in crying out to God unless you are willing to change and become obedient.  We have to get to the point where we see that God's way is better than our own.  Once we align our attitude to His, then He will listen to our prayers.  If the prayers are selfish, then don't expect them to be answered.

Judges 3