Othniel's Revival

Introduction

Today - now that our vacation is over, we continue our series in the book of Judges. This is message #4, but before we do, let’s do a quick review of what preceded this passage:

The first message that we preached in this series was the first 18 verses of Chapter 1 and was titled ‘Transition’.

We looked at the previous 70+ years of history for the COI, From Egypt, through the Wilderness & the Conquering of Canaan’s Land

When Joshua died (v1) God was still with the COI. Even though things were changing.

And we note that in our lives, even though circumstances may change, God is still able to fulfill His Word as He always has!

The second message dealt with the remainder of Ch.1 and was titled ‘Trouble’ - because from v19 on, we see the COI beginning to struggle because of:

A lack of FAITH

Judah took their eyes off of God and cast them upon the chariots of iron.

A lack of OBEDIENCE

God had instructed the COI prior to this (Read De. 7:1-8), but we see that instead of obeying God, they made league with the inhabitants & put them to tribute.

They THOUGHT that they could disobey God and get away with it.

They THOUGHT that because they were God’s people they could do what they wanted

They THOUGHT they had a better solution than God

This of course, led them to trouble.

The third message was taken from Ch. 2 and was titled ‘Consequence’ and dealt with just that.

At the beginning of the chapter, the Angel of the Lord come down & pronounced Judgment upon the COI for their unbelief and sin.

One thing that we must continually remind ourselves in this society is that consequences are real. The Bible tells us that our God is a Just God!

Ps. 89:14 “Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: Mercy and truth shall go before thy face.”

Ps. 9:8 “And he shall judge the world in righteousness, He shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.”

Pr. 16:11 “A just weight and balance are the Lord’s: All the weights of the bag are his work.”

There are consequences to our actions

This brings us to chapter 3 and our first Judge by the name of Othniel.

Now if you recall, this is not the first time we have seen this man. The story of how Caleb offered his daughter to wife to the man who took Debir is told in both Joshua 15:14-17 & Jg. 1:11-13.

Unlike Ehud & Samson and others, not much is said as to HOW Othniel liberated the COI from Chushan-rishathaim, (the mechanics thereof). But there is great lessons that we must learn from this great deliverance.

The message today is going to be used to examine revival on a national level - of which our country is in dire need of. That being said, the points here made are most certainly applicable on a personal level as well.

National Revival. In order to understand the America of today, we must go back and examine the America of our Founding.

On May 12, 1779, the Chiefs of the Delaware Indian tribe brought 3 youths to be trained in the American schools. George Washington said to them: “Congress will look upon them as their own Children… You do well to wish to learn our arts and ways of life, and above all, the religion of Jesus Christ. These will make you a greater and happier people than you are. Congress will do everything they can to assist you in this wise intention.”

In 1754, Benjamin Franklin wrote a pamphlet called ‘Information to Those Who Would Remove to America’ to those interested in immigrating - he described America like this: “Bad examples to youth are more rare in America, which must be a comfortable consideration to parents. To this may be truly added, that serious religion, under its various denominations, is not only tolerated, but respected and practised. Atheism is unknown there. Infidelity rare and secret; so that persons may live to a great age in that country without having their piety shocked by meeting with either an Atheist or an Infidel.”

James Madison acknowledged that Isa. 33:22 was the inspiration for the three branches of government that form American Federal Government: Isa. 33:22 “For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, The Lord is our king; he will save us.”

Harvard University: Founded in 1636 the first college in America established 16 years after the landing of the Pilgrims.

The declared purpose of the college: was ‘To Train a Literate Clergy’

In the ‘Rules & Precepts’ observed at Harvard of Sept. 26, 1642 stated: Let every Student be plainly instructed, and earnestly pressed to consider well, the maine end of his life and studies is, to know God and Jesus Christ which is eternal life, Joh. 17:3 and therefore to lay Christ in the bottom, as the only foundation of all sound knowledge and Learning. And seeing the Lord only giveth wisdom, let every one seriously set himself by prayer in secret to seek it of Him (Pro. 2,3)

This is as you know a far cry from the Harvard we know today - who’s chief chaplain is an atheist.

After all the delegates signed the Declaration of Independence, Samuel Adams stated: “We have this day restored the Sovereign to Whom all men out to be obedient. He reigns in Heaven and from the rising to the setting of the sun, let His Kingdom Come.”

This is the way America was. Let’s examine for a moment, what America has become:

The federal mandate allowing abortion has (thank God) been lifted, yet the lawful killing of babies is still legal in the majority of the US.

Sodomy is not only accepted, but encouraged.

Over 7% of the total population identify as LGBTQ

Over 20% of Gen Z

If the trend continues, as Bill Mahr said ‘In 50 years we’ll all be gay’

Tranny’s are reading books and doing drag shows to pre-k children

This fall more people will bow down at the altar of the TV to watch the NFL than they will the one at church

Crime - ranging from robbery to murder are all going through the roof

Homeless tent encampments are lining the sidewalks of major cites

The drug epidemic is out of control - fueled not by crack houses or border crisis - but by Drug Cartels known by names such as Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca & Johnson & Johnson

We have both political corruption & political persecution running rampant in the highest places of government - and who the perpetrators & victims are vary depending on which news station you listen to.

And the public at large is more concerned about what is taking place on Facebook than what God says in the Good Book - and are therefore either ignoring or excusing the state of our country.

America is in a mess.

But church I want you to know that a country founded by God has been in messes before and God has brought them out. It can still happen for our country.

Today’s message gives us some insight on how the COI experienced revival - and how we can as well.

The first thing to look at is ‘The National Climate’ - what was going on in Israel in that day

I. The National Climate

They were Surrounded by the Heathen (v3;5)

Unlike as we read Ben Franklin’s description of early America, the COI were surrounded by people that didn’t know the God of Heaven.

Statistically speaking, protestants and the ‘Unaffiliated’ both comprise around 30% each in America. When you consider that many who identify as Christians yet are not in actuality Christians the numbers will drastically change.

In many ways, we are like the COI then - we have a large portion of society around us that doesn’t know God.

They were Surrounded by the Heathen

They would not stay Separate from the Heathen (v6)

One of the great reasons that we have a large segment of the population that doesn’t know God today, is because of the very same reason. Christians in our country began yoking up to the lost.

The Bible admonishes Christians in 2Cor. 6:14-17 “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,”

The COI wouldn’t stay separate from the Heathen

They Succumbed unto the Heathen’s Ways (v7)

Notice a few things:

Taking heathen spouses didn’t convert them to the God of the Jews - it turned God’s people against Him and toward false gods and false religions.

Baalim - false god - idol worship

We have many falling down on the altars of idols today - and the idols are numerous.

Get this: Anything that comes between you and God is an idol unto you

The Groves - false religion

The groves is just what it sounds like - a grove of trees. In Biblical times you had people that worshipped ‘mother earth’. These are the ‘O.G. Tree huggers’! And guess what - nothing has changed! The only thing that has changed is the name. They don’t call it worshipping ‘The Groves’ anymore, they call it worshipping at the altar of ‘Climate Change’

Make no mistake about it - that’s a religion! Those that worship at the altar of climate change, they have a belief in it, regardless of how irrational it is!

Church, we have more people BY FAR worshipping Baalim & the Groves in America today than we do Jesus Christ!

They Succumbed to the Heathen’s Ways

They were Sold into the Hand of their Oppressor (v8a)

Notice the wording there: the LORD sold them… as like a possession

Instead of being servants unto God, they became slaves unto sin.

Instead of answering unto God, they had to answer unto Cushan-rishathaim

For some reason men have this idea that they are free - their own man - but I have news for you: You are free to choose, but either Christ or sin will be your Master!

They were Sold into the Hand of their Oppressor

They Suffered for Years (v8b)

Eight years. Eight years - (Sounds like a Presidential cycle).

Eight years they lived in that bondage. Eight years they allowed sin to have dominion over them.

Now I want to take this down on the personal level for a moment. Because there’s a lot of people who have:

Surrounded themselves with the Heathen

Refused to Separate from them

They’ve Succumbed to their Evil Ways

They’ve been Sold into the Hand of the Oppressor

AND THEY’VE STAYED THERE FOR YEARS! YEAR AFTER YEAR THEY CONTINUE IN THAT STATE!

Let me ask you this, those who have let sin have dominion over you… How long? How long will you stay in that state?

They Suffered for Years

Now that we see the National Climate, let’s Look at the Catalyst for Revival.

II. The Catalyst for Revival

You see, I’m not up here saying that there’s no hope for America - there IS HOPE! But we have to understand where our Hope lies.

The Bible tells us: 2Ch. 7:14 “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

I believe this to be true! And this is in essence what the COI did in the days of Othniel’s Revival!

The People Sorrowed for their Situation (v9)

This was the catalyst. This is what caused the next events to take place.

After eight years, the people had finally had enough!

They were tired of the oppression.

They were tired of the ungodliness in, around and above them politically.

They were tired of not enjoying the blessings of God

They were tired of things being like they were!

They were tired of it!

Church, aren’t you tired of the oppression of the ungodly?

Aren’t you tired of the ungodliness in, around and permeating through our political system?

Aren’t you tired of not enjoying the blessings of God upon our Land?

Aren’t you tired of things being this way?

Jeremiah felt the same way: Lam. 1:3 “Judah is gone into captivity because of affliction, and because of great servitude: She dwelleth among the heathen, she findeth no rest: All her persecutors overtook her between the straits.” Lam. 1:8-9 “Jerusalem hath grievously sinned; therefore she is removed: All that honoured her despise her, because they have seen her nakedness: Yea, she sigheth, and turneth backward. Her filthiness is in her skirts; she remembereth not her last end; Therefore she came down wonderfully: she had no comforter. O Lord, behold my affliction: for the enemy hath magnified himself.” Lam. 1:16 “For these things I weep; mine eye, mine eye runneth down with water, Because the comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me: My children are desolate, because the enemy prevailed.”

He says: Lam. 1:12 “Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? behold, and see If there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, Wherewith the Lord hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger.”

The COI Sorrowed for their situation.

It’s not enough to simply shake our heads at the madness - it must break our hearts to the point that we are moved to action!

They Sorrowed for their Situation - which caused them to Shout unto the LORD

They Shouted unto the LORD (v9)

Question: Do you know why they Cried unto the LORD?

Answer: Twofold: Because they knew that He was their only Hope & Because they had Faith that He COULD.

We have a God that answers prayer, the only problem is that prayer is hindered by the sin of the people!

Is. 59:1-2 “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; Neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, And your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”

If we desire that God would hear our prayer, we must make sure that we have no sin hindering our prayers.

The fact is, it’s easy to look at others and detest their sin - but we need to get to the place of conviction where we’ll detest OUR OWN SIN and cry out unto the LORD for cleansing!

1Jo. 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

They Shouted unto the LORD

The Spirit of God Moved (v10a)

“…Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother. And the SDpirit of the LORD came upon him...”

Now the Spirit of God is engaged!

Church this is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation: Without God we can do nothing, but with God we can do anything!

We need the Spirit of God to move! But there must be a Willing Soul

There was a Willing Soul (v10b)

Othniel was willing to go out to war

He was willing to put his life on the line for the LORD

He was willing to trust in the safety of the LORD his God

He was willing to be used

Church, let me ask you: Are you willing to be used of God?

If God were to call you to deliver a nation, would you do it?

If God were to call you to lead an army, would you do it?

If God were to call you to liberate a soul, would you do it?

The answer for many of you in times past is emphatically ‘NO’ because God has called all of us to preach & teach Jesus, yet so few are willing to do so!

But that was before church, what about now? Are you willing now?

Are you willing to go out and war against Satan & the wickedness engulfing our nation?

Are you willing to trust in His safety & providence?

Are you willing to be used of God?

Make no mistake church - Othniel led the charge, but he didn’t fight Cushan-rishathaim alone! God needs not only A willing soul, but MANY!

There was a Willing Soul

A Salvation was Wrought (v10c)

BECAUSE:

They Sorrowed, they Shouted

BECAUSE:

They Shouted, the Spirit Moved

BECAUSE:

The Spirit Moved and a Soul was Willing

BECAUSE:

Souls were Willing, Salvation was Wrought!

Church, Salvation can come to our country. It’s not too late - IF Christians get the vision for how Revival will happen!

BECAUSE: Salvation was Wrought, Serenity Encompassed the Land

Serenity Encompassed the Land (v11;2;4)

Two things I want you to notice here:

They had Peace (v11)

Boy wouldn’t it be nice if we didn’t have to deal with the wickedness of what’s happening today!

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a Government run by Servants instead of Self-serving Bureaucrats!

I’m looking forward to peace in the land one day. I pray that we’ll see a Revival in America and we can have peace here - but if not, I’m thankful that I know that when I do leave here, I will enter a land of peace where the Prince of Peace Rules Supreme!

They were Prepared (v2;4)

God was going to use this for their good and His glory! He was going to use it to Teach them & to Prove them.

The Bible tells me: Rom. 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

No matter what it is that you’re going through, God can use it for your benefit! God can use these times for the benefit of our country if we’ll just get back to Him!

Conclusion

Now is the time for decisions.

It’s time that some of you say ‘America is headed in the wrong direction - and I know the answer! The answer is found in Christ, and I know Him! I am determined that if America suffers the Judgment of God, it’s not because of the decision I make today, it will be in spite of it!

For others it might be a more personal decision

Maybe you have gotten caught up in the sin of this world and you’ve been there for a long time. Maybe it’s time that you say ‘It is ENOUGH’ and cry out to God for deliverance!

Whatever decision you need to make today, it’s time to make it.