SDA Sabbath School Lessons
April 20, 1996


#3 Deliverers

Read for this week's study: Judges 3:7-31; 10:1-5; 12:8-15.

Memory text: Judges 3:9, 10

Key thought:

The "judges" were deliverers, impelled and empowered by the Spirit of God. These individuals gained justice for the Israelites by defeating their enemies, who were oppressing them.

Help for the Helpless:

Little Johnny runs to his mother, complaining that big Bobby, is picking on him. Mother investigates and discovers that the accusation is true. She sends Bobby to his room for a while to help him remember how to treat Johnny in the future.
A woman is harassed by an employer, who ignores her pleas to leave her alone. In desperation, she seeks and obtains a legal injunction to protect her.
A small country, attacked by a larger one, requests protection from United Nations peacekeeping forces. The request is granted, and the aggression is repelled.
In each of these cases, the stronger oppresses the weaker until the latter obtains help from a higher power. Such a power acts according to standards of fairness, which can be called "law," and enforces these standards.
When the Israelites disobeyed God, He allowed them to be oppressed by their enemies. But when they repented and cried to Him for help, He delivered them from oppression and gave them justice.

Outline:

Summary:

Through the leadership of "judges" such as Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar, the Lord won justice and deliverance for His people. These leaders were designated, motivated and empowered by the Spirit of the Lord.


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Last updated on April 21, 1996.