Judges 3:6-11

Unfortunately, Israel at this time failed the test because the people took the daughters of the nations for their sons' wives and gave their own daughters to the sons of the nations to have as wives. This led them to worship the idols of the nations living among them (Ruth 3:6). God had foretold this exact pattern in his instructions to the people which he gave through Moses (Exodus 34:12-16; Deuteronomy 7:1-4). Is it any wonder Paul warns against believers being unequally yoked with unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14)?

Because of the evil influences of idol worshiping mates, Israel forgot God and served Baal in the groves built by the nations. This caused God to be angry and allow the king of Mesopotamia, or land between two rivers, which would be the Tigris and Euphrates, to defeat them. When Israel cried out under the oppression of eight years, God raised up Othniel to deliver his people. The Spirit of the Lord came upon him so that he would be able to effectively lead God's people. In a prophecy about the coming Christ, Isaiah describes the Spirit as one of wisdom, understanding, counsel, might and the knowledge and fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2). Certainly, that Spirit could enable a man to lead God's people. With the power of the Spirit, Othniel was able to defeat the king of Mesopotamia and rule Israel in peace for forty years (Ruth 3:7-11).