The end of Judges 2 reveals the cyclical nature of the Book.

Sin
Oppression
Repentance
Deliverance
Peace

Reflection Question #1: Is there an area of your life where you have not fully obeyed God? What do you need to do to get into complete obedience with His plan and direction for your life?

Reflection Question #2: What are you doing to help the next generation develop a personal relationship with Jesus and understand His miracle working power?

Reflection Question #3: Have you ever considered that what God has called you to do is an expression and manifestation of His mercy for others?

Reflection Question #4: Are there areas in your life where you are currently contained because you are not doing as God instructed you to?

Reflection Question #5: Is your life a continual cycle of things you do not like? Are you in a pattern that you cannot seem to break? Is there a specific sin or poor decision that is causing you to go through this cycle?

Reflection Question #6 : Are there areas where you have been praying for victory or expansion in that you are not mature enough to enter into? Have you limited your potential harvest as a result of your level of maturity? What is an area in your life that you keep hitting a brick wall in that you know is already promised to you? What is the area of character God has been telling you to develop that you have been avoiding or making excuses for?

Reflection Question #7: Does your level of consistency match the level of promotion your are seeking? What area of your life do you need to become more consistent in?

- The Philistines, even referred to as Sea Peoples in ancient Egyptian texts, were a group of people who migrated by sea from the islands and areas of the Aegean Sea. They settled along the coasts and had five major cities ruled by lords that acted as council for the ruling of Philistia, or the land of the Philistines.

- The Canaanites, as we covered, were a diverse groups of series and areas.

- The Sidonians were the inhabitants of Sidon, a seaport on the Mediterranean Sea in modern Lebanon. They were Phoenicians. Sidon would become the birthplace of Queen Jezebel.

The Hivites lived in the northern section of Canaan below Mount Hermon. The Gibeonites who made a peace treaty with Joshua were Hivites. The main cities of the Hivites were Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kirjath-jearim. All of their cities were in the territory of Benjamin or near the border.

Why were these three specific groups of people left in the Promise Land?

This is different than the limitations of partial obedience and the consequences of disobedience.

Reasons They Were Left:

1. The Test

What was this test? To put it simply, it was the test of choice. What will you choose to do with the freedom and opportunity you have been given? Will you choose God's way or will you choose another way? It's similar to the Tree of Good and Evil in the Midst of the Garden of Eden. You will always have a choice in life. Make sure you choose wisely.

2. A Teaching Opportunity

This was a teaching opportunity for future generations of the children of Israel to learn how to use their faith to follow God into battle and expand their territory.

3. Israel was not big enough yet to fill the land

Hittites - The Hittites occupied the ancient region of Anatolia (also known as Asia Minor, modern-day Turkey) and expanded their territories into an empire which rivaled, and threatened, the established nation of Egypt. Many Hittites lived in Canaan from the time of the Patriarchs even to the times of the prophet Ezekiel and the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah.

Amorites - The Amorites lived in the eastern parts of Canaan. They were one of the most powerful remaining nations left in Canaan.

Perizzites - The Perizzites lived in the southern parts of Canaan and their name implies that they lived in the open country and dwelt in villages.

Hivites - Another note about the Hivities, Joshua had made a covenant with the Hivites of Gibeon.

Jebusites - The Jebusites inhabited the land around a heavily fortified city that would one day be known as the city of Jerusalem.

The problem was not different races. The problem was they served different gods. Israel began to worship and follow the wicked practices of these false gods.

Notice the language of the Scripture, they forgot God. They did evil in His sight and as a result, according to their covenant, they are invaded.

The area that is invaded and overrun is the southern area of Israel. Remember, the Book of Judges tells overlapping stories that affected different areas of the land.

Othniel is the nephew of Caleb. Othniel's name means lion of God or force of God.

Othniel is the hero of Israel who conquered the city of Kiriath-sepher.

Othniel is the first Judge mentioned in the Book of Judges.

These judges were not courtroom judges. They were regional political and military leaders. They were heroes.

There are 12 Judges in the Book of Judges. The exploits of six of these—Othniel, Ehud, Deborah, Gideon, Jephthah, and Samson—are described in more detail. They are usually called “major judges,” whereas the other six—Shamgar, Tola, Jair, Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon—who appear only in brief descriptions are designated as “minor judges.”

The Spirit of the Lord came upon him and as a result he was able to judge Israel and deliver them from their enemy. He did it because of the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

Remember, this is under the Old Covenant. Under the Old Covenant, the Holy Spirit did not rest on all those who were part of that covenant. In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit only rested upon prophets, priests, kings, and those with special assignments such as the judges. The majority of the Judges were not prophets.

Although the Holy Spirit empowered all the Judges, we see the phrase that He landed upon Othniel, Gideon, Jephthah, and Samson. This phase was repeated multiple times in the chapters describing Samson's life.

The Holy Spirit resting upon these individuals was not an endorsement of their choices nor their lifestyles. We see in studying the lives of a few of these individuals, we see horrific choices that led to horrible consequences. Why did the Holy Spirit rest upon them and raise them up to be a judge?

The Lord raised up Judges because of His compassion and mercy. The Holy Spirit operating with the Judge was a manifestation of God's mercy. He would work with the Judge as far as He could for the sake of His people.

How did these Old Testament Judges successfully operate with the Spirit of God under an Old Covenant?

These Judges partnered with the Holy Spirit through their faith. Although the Holy Spirit would land on them, they would still need to act.

As the Scriptures says, (one in the Old Testament and three times in the New Testament, the just shall live by faith.

As we shared in our introduction to this series, we should learn from the faith of the Judges. The Judges had faith that God had empowered them to fulfill their assignment. When the Holy Spirit landed upon them, He anointed them for their assignment.

Reflection Question #8: What has the Holy Spirit specifically anointed YOU to do?

Jesus operated by the Anointing. You have been anointed by God. By faith, you must partner with the Anointing on your life. Your anointing is connected to your call.

Grace has 21 different definitions, but one of them is the anointing of the Spirit.

Paul operated by the anointing as well. Notice he said he outworked all the other Apostles. He didn't outwork them alone, he outworked them in partnership with the anointing of God. What is one of the ways Paul partnered with the anointing? By faith.

Reflection Question #8: What actions are you regularly undertaking to operate under the Anointing that is upon your life?

Preparing is part of operating under the anointing. Remember, David was anointed to be king 13 years before he was crowned king. Preparation is never lost time. Do not step out until it is the season for you to step out.

If you are in the season where you are actively doing what God has called you to do, you need to make sure you are operating under the anointing.

How?
1. Daily Ask For His Guidance
2. Daily Ask For His Insight
3. Daily Ask For His Help
4. Acknowledge the Anointing On Your Life
5. Expect God results