The Deep End

The Grudge-Match of the Century: The Lion of God vs. Double-Wicked Cushan

In the land of Canaan, in the days of the Judges of Israel, God’s people often failed to act like God’s people. As their priests failed to instruct the people in the keeping of God’s law, and as a new generation of parents failed to hold their children accountable for their sins, the people of Israel began to intermarry with the pagan idol-worshippers around them. When this happened it wasn’t long before the Israelites began worshiping the false gods of their spouses, and began to “do evil in the sight of the Lord” (Judges 3:5-7), including sacrificing their own children.

Therefore, to chasten the people whom He loved, but whose sin He hated, the Lord God allowed the King of Mesopotamia to enslave them. This king’s name translates to the charming moniker, “Double-Wicked Cushan.”

God heard the cries of His people, however, and raised up Othniel to deliver them. It was the “Lion of God” versus “Ol’ Double-Evil.” How did Othniel win the victory and restore the freedom of God’s people for 40 years? Not by having the largest army or the sturdiest weapons. Rather, the key to Othniel’s success is found in Judges 3:10: “And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war…”

Othniel responded to the power of the Holy Spirit, and he had a willingness to fight for God. Most Christians today are not commanded to be in a military war, and we are forbidden from using carnal weapons. We are in a war, but it’s a spiritual war, and our main weapons are prayer, the Word of God, love, and, like Othniel, a willingness to serve. What a waste it would be to have the empowering gift of the Holy Spirit residing in the temple of your body, but to refuse to walk in His strength, and to be enslaved to the enemy’s strongholds.