_The nations which the Lord left, to prove Israel by them._ THE TRIAL AND CHASTISEMENT OF AN UNFAITHFUL PEOPLE I. It was God’s own thought to put them to the proof. 1. Far otherwise were the thoughts of the nations. (1) When Israel was strong their thoughts were of alliances. (2) When Israel be... [ Continue Reading ]
_Served their Gods _. .. _ forgat the Lord, and served Baalim and the groves._ THE DOWNWARD COURSE OF SIN I. The form of their sin. One of omission (Judges 2:2). 1. No sin of omission is ever small. (1) It slights God’s authority. (2) It implies alienation of heart from God. (3) There is no fe... [ Continue Reading ]
_Sold them into the hand of Chushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia._ ISRAEL IN SERVITUDE 1. This was the first servitude of the Israelites ever since they came out of their house of bondage in Egypt; for now such detestable apostasy was found in Israel as heaven and earth had caused to be ashamed o... [ Continue Reading ]
_Othniel the son of Kenaz _. .. _ and the Spirit of the Lord came upon him._ THE CONTROLLING MAN It is the personal soul that is the basis of all action. Your machinery is soulless, and the true driver, after all, is the man with his hand on the throttle. You invent, and you multiply motions, and a... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel._ SIN--SUFFERING; PENITENCE AND DELIVERANCE REPEATED I. New sin added: “Again” 1. A painful surprise. 2. Deeper guilt. It showed more deliberation in the act of rebellion, more stubborness of will, and greater defiance of the Divine au... [ Continue Reading ]
_Shamgar the son of Anath._ SHAMGAR This is one of the most singular and astonishing battles in the history of the world. If Shamgar had been stationed in some Thermopylae, where the foe could only come one or two at a time it would not have been so wonderful; but he was in the open field, literall... [ Continue Reading ]