Topic: Our Great Deliverer [Sunday July 16, 2017]
Text: Judges 3:12-31
Key Verse: “But when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a man lefthanded…” (Judges 3:15)
The death of Joshua brought about an entirely new situation in Jewish history and life. For the first time, the Jewish people were independent in their own homeland. Moses and Joshua were each the General, Prime Minister and Chief Rabbi, all rolled into one. After their death and the expiration of that generation, there arose another generation which knew not the Lord, nor yet the works which He had done for Israel.
The new generation of Israel forgot the God of their fathers and followed other gods and served Baal and Ashtaroth, the gods of the people that were round about them. God was angry with them and delivered them into the hands of spoilers and their enemies. They were greatly distressed. In spite of their backsliding, when they cried unto the Lord, He raised up judges who delivered them from their oppressors. Ehud was the second judge that God raised to deliver Israel.
He was left-handed and this gift aided his plot to kill Eglon, king of Moab, who was oppressing Israel at that time. The Lord delivered Moab into the hand of Israel and Moab was subdued. Israel had rest for 80 years thereafter. God always comes to the rescue of His children in times of distress. Whatever the depth of one’s backsliding or trouble, it is wise to call upon Him. He will surely answer. But know that sin will hinder one’s deliverance (Isaiah 59:2).
The solution to the sin problem is salvation in Christ Jesus (1 Peter 3:18). Christ is the only atonement, the divine appeasement that heaven acknowledges. He is the key to God’s forgiveness. In Christ alone lies the hope of freedom from the bondage of sin, sickness, affliction and oppressions. Sin is slavery; but God’s forgiveness through Christ’s atonement is true freedom from sin and its consequences.
Thought for the day: Salvation is free, but stewardship is costly.
Bible Reading in one Year: Genesis 48-50
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
