Sharper Iron From Kfuo Radio

Rev. Tyrel Bramwell, pastor at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Ferndale, CA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Judges 3:1-11. When the LORD declared that He would leave pagan nations in the Promised Land, He did so as a test for His people in order that they would learn to rely on Him instead of any idols. This was His purpose in teaching them war. He did not desire to teach them proper military tactics; He desired to teach His people that He was the One fighting for them. Such physical warfare is a picture of the spiritual warfare that is constantly happening for the people of God. The people of Israel in the book of Judges failed the test miserably. Living among the pagan nations, they intermarried with them and began to serve their idols. The LORD gave them over to the evil they desired through a double evil, the Mesopotamian king, Cushan-rishathaim. This is the background for the first judge, Othniel. When Israel cried out to the LORD for help, He sent Othniel, clothed in the Holy Spirit, to deliver His