Israel was on a downward spiral throughout the time of the Judges. Repentance always brought deliverance, but backsliding brought trouble and bondage. The first deliverer was Othniel.

1. May 18, 2010 We can so easily slide into that same trap of Satan. Israel forgot the True and Living God and served the false gods of their neighbors.

2. Judges 3 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; To prove Israel by them: Would they hear and obey God's Word? (v4) To teach them war: War with God fighting for you, versus War in your own strength.

3. 3 Namely , five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites that dwelt in mount Lebanon, from mount Baalhermon 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. The Israelites kept them in the land to work as slaves and to collect tribute from them. God turned it around on them!

5. Put all your trust in the True and Living God . Live your life His Way , and no other way. Marry only a church-going , dedicated Christian . If it happened to them , it will happen to us . Come out from among the world, and be separate . Choose your close friends with care.

6. Backsliding does not usually occur in one big step. It is usually several small steps into sin and trouble over a long period of time . It begins in the mind . Anyone who is changed, for good or ill, Must first change his mind . Romans 12:1-2

7. First he begins to find fault with God's people; Then it's just a small step to finding fault with God. He becomes critical and angry . He looks for what's wrong, and not what's right. Going to church becomes more of a chore, than a joy and privilege.

8. Finding fault with God takes place through looking for fault with God's Word : He doesn't love to study for himself. He will not hear when it's preached or taught. Finding fault with God also consists of criticizing worship . First he doesn't like his church. Then he doesn't like other churches either. Discontented Mind

9. After he draws away in his mind , the backsliding person begins to draw away in body . Then he finds every opportunity not to be in the house of God. Soon, he is going his own way . He takes less and less part in the worship. He comes to church, but his body language says, "I don't want to be here."

10. Then it's just a small step to being with wrong people , in a wrong place , doing a wrong thing . It all started with a backsliding mind . "I don't want to do what God wants me to do." "I'm going to do what I want to do."

11. After a time, his life begins to go wrong. Turn back to God with his whole heart; God will deliver him. Bondage

12. 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 . God sent a king from a great distance to invade Israel and enslave them. They wanted slaves , but God made slaves of them for their rebelliousness .

14. 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 . The Lord will use somebody to show you the path to deliverance. But first, you must humble yourself , Admit that you are in trouble, And cry out to God for help.

15. 10 And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him ( Othniel) , 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. Did they wait eight years to cry out to God, Or did God let them suffer a while to learn? It could be either one , but for certain, the longer we wait to humble ourselves, admit we are wrong, and cry out for help, The longer help will be in coming.

16. 11 And the land had rest forty years . And Othniel the son of Kenaz died . 12 And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the Lord: And the cycle begins again! What enabled Othniel to deliver God's people? The Spirit of the Lord came upon him. We can do nothing good in our own strength, ability, wisdom, or intelligence. It's all God or it's nothing at all.

17. 6 Points to remember: Backsliding begins in the mind , a series of small steps leading to big trouble . Just as God tested Israel , He will test us to reveal : Will we hear and obey His Word? Israel had three steps to downfall : 1 They dwelt among the heathen. 2 They intermarried with them. 3 They served their gods.

18. 6 Points to remember: He will often use a man to lead us out of trouble. When God gives us a leader , we must follow him. When God's people humble ourselves, admit that we are in trouble, confess our sin, and repent God will hear our cry and deliver us! The Spirit of the Lord came upon Othniel. To live for God , we must submit ourselves meekly unto the Holy Spirit and God's Word.