THE HOLY SPIRIT IN JUDGES
Dear family,
Greetings in Jesus’ name. I trust you’re enjoying the study on the Holy Spirit.
In the book of Judges, you definitely encounter the Holy Spirit manifested in various ways; particularly in anointing leadership. He is the Spirit of Leadership. This book records a time when God’s people Israel had entered the Promised land but there were still unconquered people groups lingering around. The Bible says God left those groups there intentionally to test Israel’s faithfulness and to keep them militarily sharp. (See Judges 2:21-23 and Judges 3:2.) When Joshua and his generation died, there remained a generation that may have heard of the power of God but had never experienced it personally. This generation debased themselves with the sin of idolatry thereby failing the Lord’s test of faithfulness.
They began to worship the graven images of the people they should have conquered and ruled. They were caught up in constant wavering. Repeatedly they would repent for the sin of the idolatry only to descend into paganism again. Israel was a Theocracy (God ruled) without any human loyalty. To deliver His people from oppression, which they brought to themselves through their constant disobedience, God would send them judges. (See Judges 2:8) The first judge God sent was Othniel, Caleb’s nephew.
Judges 3:10-11 The Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel. He went out to war, and the LORD delivered Cushan-Rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed over Cushan-Rishathaim. 11 So the land had rest for forty years. Then Othniel the son of Kenaz died.It was the Holy Spirit who came upon Othniel and the other judges of Israel to give them strategies for war, wisdom in judgment and foresight. The Holy Spirit moved through the judges to rescue Israel from the deception and darkness of idolatry. For example each of the following judges relied on the Holy Spirit:
- Gideon encountered the fire of God. (See Judges 6:21) He received supernatural strategy and guidance in the choice of who would go to war with him. (See Judges 7).
- Samson was mightily stirred and strengthened by the Holy Spirit. (See Judges, 13:25, 14:16)
- Jephthah was empowered by the Holy Spirit with the spirit of conquest. (See Judges 11:29)
- Deborah was prophetic (See Judges 4:4) No one can prophesy without the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. By prophecy she led Israel to win a war against the Cananites. The king (Barak) sought to go to war with her, a woman, because he knew the Spirit of God upon her would lead them to victory. She prophesied the strategies of that war and commanded the king to get up and take charge. When they won the war, Deborah sang this song:
Judges 5:2 “When leaders lead in Israel, when the people willingly offer themselves, Bless the LORD!
You too are a leader in your own right to the people you influence. You have the same mighty Holy Spirit who empowered the judges of Israel. He is within you to enable you to lead successfully and to conquer in every endeavor. He’s an amazing guide to any leader who will rely on Him. He’ll show you what to do and give you the right strategy just when you need it. God purposely places leaders in key positions with vision to fulfill His purpose. Leaders are bold, wise, confrontational and set upon a purpose. When they rely on the Holy Spirit, they become indomitable. If they’re honest they’ll tell you that it was not by human might, nor by power but by the Holy Spirit that they succeeded. When Samson tried to lead without the power of God, he failed miserably. (See Judges 16:20). To lead successfully, you too must rely on the Holy Spirit.
