Bible Study - God Can Use You Too

ADRIAN S TAYLOR

Faith in the Fire: Standing Strong in Difficult Days • Sermon • Submitted a month ago • Presented 2 months ago

Judges 3:1–11

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Judges 3:1–11 KJV 1900

1 Now these are the nations which the Lord left, to prove Israel by them, even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan; 2 Only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at the least such as before knew nothing thereof; 3 Namely, five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites that dwelt in mount Lebanon, from mount Baal-hermon unto the entering in of Hamath. 4 And they were to prove Israel by them, to know whether they would hearken unto the commandments of the Lord, which he commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses. 5 And the children of Israel dwelt among the Canaanites, Hittites, and Amorites, and Perizzites, and Hivites, and Jebusites: 6 And they took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their daughters to their sons, and served their gods. 7 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and forgat the Lord their God, and served Baalim and the groves. 8 Therefore the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Chushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the children of Israel served Chushan-rishathaim eight years. 9 And when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother. 10 And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the Lord delivered Chushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushan-rishathaim. 11 And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died.

Series: Faith in the Fire: Standing Strong in Difficult Days Text: Judges 3:1–11 Lesson Title: God Can Use You Too Main Point: God sometimes leaves hard places in our path to prove us and prepare us. When His people cry out, He raises up servants for His purposes and gives them His Spirit to do what they could never do alone. Through Othniel, God shows that He can use ordinary people to bring extraordinary rest.

Introduction: God Can Use You Too (Judges 3:1–11) Judges 3 opens with honest realism. God left certain nations in Canaan to “prove Israel,” to train their hands for battle, and to test their hearts for loyalty. Hard places became holy classrooms. Israel’s drift was slow. They lived among the enemy, then loved the enemy, then lived like the enemy (Judges 3:5–7; compare Psalm 1:1–3). Sin brought bondage. Bondage brought groaning.

At last, the people cried unto the Lord. The text says, “the LORD raised up a deliverer” and “the Spirit of the LORD came upon him” (Judges 3:9–10, KJV). God initiated the rescue. He selected an ordinary man named Othniel, empowered him by His Spirit, and secured forty years of rest for the land. The hero is God. The instrument is a willing servant.

This pattern still stands. God hears the cry of needy people, raises up available servants, gives strength for the assignment, and brings peace where there was pressure. Othniel’s story tells every believer at Springhill that availability matters. God can use you too.

I. God Selects Whom He Will Use (Judges 3:9)

1) God’s initiative in selection “And when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer” (Judges 3:9). Israel did not elect a savior. God raised him up. His choosing flows from covenant mercy, not human merit. Scripture reminds us, “God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise” so “no flesh should glory in his presence” (1 Corinthians 1:27–29, KJV). Calling is God’s idea before it is our plan.

2) God hears and answers desperate prayer Their idols failed them. Their fear humbled them. Their cry reached heaven. “The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles” (Psalm 34:17, KJV). “Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee” (Psalm 50:15, KJV). The turning of a people began with the praying of a people.

3) God often uses ordinary people in familiar places Othniel steps from the background to the battlefield. He is “the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother” (Judges 1:13, KJV). Nothing flashy, only faithful. God orders the steps of such people for His purposes (Psalm 37:23, KJV). Availability opens doors that ability cannot.

Synopsis

God chose Othniel in response to Israel’s cry. The Lord raises, not man. He delights to use ordinary servants so He alone gets the glory (Judges 3:9; 1 Corinthians 1:27–29; Psalm 34:17; Psalm 50:15, KJV). When God calls, He is already working ahead of us and around us.

Five Actions to Apply

Call out daily for God’s help in your family and church (Psalm 50:15, KJV).

Psalm 50:15 “15 And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.”

Stop disqualifying yourself and offer God a simple yes today (Isaiah 6:8, KJV).

Isaiah 6:8 “8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.”

Submit your plans to God’s ordering and take the next obedient step (Proverbs 16:9; Psalm 37:23, KJV).

Proverbs 16:9 “9 A man’s heart deviseth his way: But the Lord directeth his steps.”

Serve where you stand in ordinary places God has planted you (Colossians 3:23, KJV).

Colossians 3:23 “23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;”

Give God the glory when doors open and prayers are answered (Psalm 115:1, KJV).

Psalm 115:1 “1 Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, But unto thy name give glory, For thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake.”

II. God Strengthens His Servants (Judges 3:10)

1) The necessity of the Spirit “And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him” (Judges 3:10). Othniel’s task was civil and military, yet deeply spiritual. God’s work requires God’s power. “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6, KJV).

2) Old Covenant coming upon and New Covenant indwelling In the Old Testament the Spirit came upon selected servants for appointed tasks. In the New Testament the Spirit indwells every believer for life and ministry. “Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you” (Acts 1:8, KJV). We are commanded, “be filled with the Spirit” for daily obedience and service (Ephesians 5:18, KJV).

3) Strength that sustains and gives victory Othniel judged with wisdom and went out to war with courage, “and the LORD delivered” the oppressor into his hand (Judges 3:10, KJV). The text keeps the credit with God. “Without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5, KJV). “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:24, KJV).

God never assigns without supplying. The Spirit of the Lord empowered Othniel, and the Lord delivered the enemy. New Covenant believers have the Spirit’s indwelling and power for witness, wisdom, and work (Judges 3:10; Zechariah 4:6; Acts 1:8; John 15:5; 1 Thessalonians 5:24, KJV).

Ask daily for the Spirit’s filling and guidance for each assignment (Ephesians 5:18; Luke 11:13, KJV).

Ephesians 5:18 “18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;”

Start every task with prayer, acknowledging dependence on God’s strength (Proverbs 3:5–6, KJV).

Proverbs 3:5–6 “5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths.”

Walk in the Spirit to resist the flesh and to serve with love and courage (Galatians 5:16, KJV).

Galatians 5:16 “16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”

Speak for Christ with confidence, trusting the Spirit to empower your witness (Acts 1:8, KJV).

Acts 1:8 “8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

Give God the credit in every victory and seek His help in every battle (Psalm 60:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:24, KJV).

Psalm 60:12 “12 Through God we shall do valiantly: For he it is that shall tread down our enemies.”

III. God Secures His People (Judges 3:11)

1) Rest as God’s gracious gift “And the land had rest forty years” (Judges 3:11, KJV). Peace is more than the end of conflict. It is the presence of God’s order. “He maketh wars to cease” and establishes quietness (Psalm 46:9; Isaiah 32:17, KJV).

2) Rest with purpose Rest gave space to rebuild families, renew worship, and retrain hearts. God gives peace so His people can grow in righteousness. “When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him” (Proverbs 16:7, KJV). Israel’s calm was God’s classroom for discipleship.

3) Rest that points beyond itself Othniel’s peace was provisional and temporal. It points to Jesus who gives rest to weary souls now and promises a final sabbath for His people. “Come unto me… and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28, KJV). “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God” (Hebrews 4:9, KJV).

God secured forty years of rest for His people. True peace is God’s gift, grounded in His order and aimed at His glory. This rest fuels worship, growth, and mission, and it anticipates the fuller rest found in Christ (Judges 3:11; Psalm 46:9; Isaiah 32:17; Proverbs 16:7; Matthew 11:28; Hebrews 4:9, KJV).

Five Actions to Apply

Use seasons of peace to deepen devotion through Scripture and prayer (Psalm 119:15–16, KJV).

Psalm 119:15–16 “15 I will meditate in thy precepts, And have respect unto thy ways. 16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.”

Guard peace with obedience, since righteousness preserves rest (Isaiah 32:17; John 14:15, KJV).

Isaiah 32:17 “17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; And the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.”

Invest in the next generation during calm seasons through testimony and teaching (Psalm 145:4, KJV).

Psalm 145:4 “4 One generation shall praise thy works to another, And shall declare thy mighty acts.”

Practice reconciliation to preserve unity and peace in relationships (Romans 12:18; Ephesians 4:3, KJV).

Romans 12:18 “18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”

Anchor hope in Christ’s greater rest when pressures rise again (Matthew 11:28–29; Hebrews 4:9–11, KJV).

Matthew 11:28–29 “28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”