1April 18, 2010

Downward spiral of the Israelites.

Othniel was the firstfirst of the Judges God raised up to deliver Israel from their backsliding.

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Caleb's nephew, he was of the Tribe of Judah,

But this family was not naturallynaturally of Jewish descent.

Caleb's daddy was a KeneziteKenezite, a Canaanite Tribe

in Abraham's day.

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11 And the land had rest forty yearsforty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz dieddied. 12 And the children of Israel did evil did evil againagain in the sight of the Lord: and the Lord the Lord strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israelstrengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the Lord. 13

And he (Eglon) gathered unto him the children of Ammon and Amalek, and went and smote Israel, and possessed the city of palm trees (Jericho).

The Moabites and Ammonites were kinkin to each other andand kin to Israel through Lotthrough Lot and his daughters.

MoabitesMoabites through oldest daughter

Ammonites through youngestyoungest.

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Jericho

14 So the children of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen yearseighteen years.

Different generation

Farther removed

15 But when the children of Israel cried unto the cried unto the LordLord, the Lord raised them up a deliverer, …

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Left-handed

Took tribute to Eglon, King of Moab

Had a secret present as well

Strapped to his right thigh

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Eglon was a very fat man

Ehud sent away the people with him,

"I have a secret errand."

King Eglon sent his people away,

and went into a summer parlor that he had.

20b And Ehud said, I have a message from God unto thee. And he arose out of his seat. 21 And Ehud put forth his left hand, and took the dagger from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly: 22 And the haft also went in after the blade; and the fat closed upon the blade, so that he could not draw the dagger out of his belly; and the dirt came out.

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23 Then Ehud went forth through the porch, and shut the doors of the parlor upon him, and locked them. 24 When he was gone out, his servants came; and when they saw that, behold, the doors of the parlor were locked, they said, Surely he covereth his feet in his summer chamber.

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25 And they tarried till they were ashamed: and, behold, he opened not the doors of the parlor; therefore they took a key, and opened them: and, behold, their lord was fallen down dead on the earth.

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Ehud escaped and ran to a mountain in Ephraim.

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Summoned Israelites

They followed him, and

TookTook and controlledcontrolled the fords across Jordan at

Jericho.

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29 And they slew of Moab at that time about ten ten thousand menthousand men, all lusty, and all men of valor; and there escaped not a man. 30 So Moab was subdued that daythat day under the hand of Israel. And the land had the land had rest fourscore yearsrest fourscore years.

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See what can happenhappen when we truly repent and follow Godfollow God.

The people lived and walked with God for eighty years,

At least two generations.

31 And after him was ShamgarShamgar the son of Anath, which slew of the Philistines six hundred men with an ox goad: and he also delivered Israel.

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Use the toolstools or weapons that God has given you, in the placeplace where God has set you.

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It's not great talent that God is looking for.

Nor great wisdom or strength.

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

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Sincere prayer and worship keeps uskeeps us in God's Presence.

A good understanding of and obedience to His WordHis Word,

Keeps us in His WillHis Will.

If we do find that there is a distancedistance in our relationship with God,

KnowKnow that it is createdcreated by our sin.

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Sincere repentance is how we draw nigh to God.

When wewe draw nigh to God,

He willHe will draw nigh to us.