Topical Bible: Prayer: Answered: from the King of Mesopotamia

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In the biblical narrative, the theme of answered prayer is a recurring testament to God's faithfulness and sovereignty. One notable instance of answered prayer involving a king of Mesopotamia is found in the Book of Judges, specifically in the account of Othniel, the first judge of Israel.

Context and Background

The period of the Judges was marked by a cyclical pattern of Israel's disobedience, oppression by foreign powers, cries for deliverance, and subsequent divine intervention through appointed judges. After the death of Joshua, the Israelites repeatedly turned away from God, leading to their subjugation by surrounding nations.

The Oppression by the King of Mesopotamia

In Judges 3:7-8, the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD, forgetting their God and serving the Baals and Asherahs. As a result, the LORD's anger was kindled against Israel, and He allowed them to be oppressed by Cushan-Rishathaim, the king of Mesopotamia. This oppression lasted for eight years, during which the Israelites suffered greatly under foreign domination.

The Israelites' Cry for Deliverance

In their distress, the Israelites cried out to the LORD for deliverance. This act of prayer and supplication is a pivotal moment, demonstrating their recognition of their need for divine intervention. Judges 3:9 states, "But when the Israelites cried out to the LORD, He raised up Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, as a deliverer to save them."

God's Response and the Role of Othniel

God answered the Israelites' prayer by raising up Othniel as a judge and deliverer. Empowered by the Spirit of the LORD, Othniel led Israel to victory over Cushan-Rishathaim. Judges 3:10-11 records, "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, so that his hand prevailed against Cushan-Rishathaim. Then the land had rest for forty years, until Othniel son of Kenaz died."

Significance of Answered Prayer

This account highlights several key aspects of answered prayer:

1. Recognition of Sin and Repentance: The Israelites' cry to the LORD signifies a turning point from idolatry to seeking God's help, acknowledging their dependence on Him.

2. Divine Mercy and Deliverance: Despite their repeated disobedience, God, in His mercy, responds to their plea by providing a deliverer, showcasing His readiness to forgive and restore.

3. Empowerment by the Holy Spirit: The Spirit of the LORD coming upon Othniel underscores the divine empowerment necessary for victory and leadership, emphasizing that true deliverance comes from God.

4. Rest and Peace: The result of answered prayer was a period of peace and rest for the land, illustrating the blessings that follow when God's people turn back to Him.

The account of Othniel and the deliverance from the king of Mesopotamia serves as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness to answer the prayers of His people, even in times of judgment and oppression.

Nave's Topical Index

Judges 3:9,15
And when the children of Israel cried to the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

How Abram Fought with the Assyrians, and Overcame Them, and Saved ...
... prey, he accepted of the gift: but the king of Sodom ... He answered, And what advantage
will it be to me ... Heard of God, because God had heard his mother's prayer. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 10 how abram fought.htm

The Life, as Amplified by Mediaeval Biographers.
... Soon after the death of Constantine (ad337), Sapor, king of Persia was moved to
seize the opportunity offered ... The prayer was instantly answered by a ...
/.../hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/iii the life as amplified by.htm

The Wilderness.
... and peculiar treasure unto God, They answered with one ... were to be left unharmed;
and their king, Balak, sent ... Then after a prayer of atonement, a great battle ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson iv the wilderness.htm

Chapter xlvii
... considerate features of Joseph's plan, whereby both king and people ... And he answered:
I for my part will do ... Then Israel bowed down in prayer upon the head of ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlvii.htm

The Genuine Acts of Peter.
... Having ended his prayer, he kissed the tomb of ... carrying." Then the most merciful
father answered, "My faithful ... about to do, and fulfil the king's command; for ...
/.../peter/the writings of peter of alexandria/the genuine acts of peter.htm

Chapter xli
... But Joseph answered Pharaoh: Not at all ... all ability to God, first made his earnest
silent prayer to God ... things developed "just as he had said." The king and the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xli.htm

The vision of Paul.
... the city of Jerusalem, for when Christ the King of Eternity ... Moreover their prayer
did not even on one day ... And Michael answered and said: Hear Michael speaking! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the vision of paul/the vision of paul.htm

The Greater Prophets.
... The fifth chapter is a complaint of Zion in prayer to God ... To this it can be answered
in part that in the ... the head of his army, the title of king being applied ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxii the greater prophets.htm

Babylonia and Assyria
... In a prayer for the Assyrian king the writer asks ... unfrequently occupied by one of
the sons of the king. ... Its twelve books answered to the twelve signs of the ...
/.../early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter vi babylonia and assyria.htm

The Perpetual virginity of Blessed Mary.
... with one accord continued stedfastly in prayer, with the ... among thy brethren shalt
thou set king over thee ... Rachel hid among the baggage, Jacob answered and said ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/the perpetual virginity of blessed.htm