Most of us who have read the book of Judges know the exploits of famous judges like Samson and Gideon. Many of the other deliverers, judges like Othniel. Yet we should remember them, but they impacted God’s people in vital ways.
The time of the judges came after the book of Joshua—when the Israelites had conquered most of the Promised Land. When Joshua died, the people of Israel went through a series of highs and lows. They kept falling away from God and requiring deliverance through a leader the Lord raised up for them. This cycle continued to deteriorate until judge Samuel experienced the tragic transition to Israel’s kings.
The book of Judges includes brutal and honest accounts of Israelites being fickle, and the depravity of nations that oppress them. One of the earliest judges, Othniel, rescued Israel from its enemies and can teach us important things today.
Othniel’s role as a judge over Israel signifies that God appointed him to lead and deliver the Israelites from oppression. The term “judge” in the biblical context doesn’t merely refer to a legal figure but rather to a military and spiritual leader raised up by God to govern and defend His people. Othniel’s judgeship epitomizes this divine intervention and leadership.
As Moses led the Israelites from Egypt, his father-in-law Jethro challenged him to stop doing all the work himself; he could appoint leaders to judge lesser disputes between people. The larger disputes could be brought to Moses. Moses thought this a great idea and appointed leaders over the people. Moses operated as the highest judge to reconcile problems in the camp. Moses was also a spiritual, prophetic, and military leader, yet not a king in the classic sense. The people were able to reject his leadership—as they did, refusing to enter the Promised Land the first time.
Joshua took on this role next, and many judges followed in his footsteps. These leaders didn’t have a king’s political clout. They were appointed by God for a time and purpose, essentially signifying God was the King. As mentioned earlier, the judges continued ruling until the people disobeyed God and asked for a king.
In Judges 3:7-11, we find the account of Othniel’s rise to prominence. Following the death of Joshua and the generation that had known him, the Israelites began to stray from God’s commands, worshiping idols and forsaking the covenant. Consequently, they fell into the hands of Cushan-Rishathaim, king of Mesopotamia, and were oppressed for eight years. However, the Israelites cried out to God for deliverance in their distress.
In response to their cries, God raised up Othniel, the son of Kenaz, as a judge to deliver them from their oppressors. Othniel, described as a brave warrior, led the Israelites into battle against Cushan-Rishathaim and secured victory over their enemies by God’s power. Under Othniel’s leadership, the land had peace for 40 years.
Othniel’s story foreshadows the pattern that would recur throughout the judges’ era: Israel’s disobedience led to oppression, repentance led to deliverance, and peace was restored for a while.
Caleb, a prominent figure in the Bible, is renowned for his faithfulness and courage during the Israelites’ wilderness journey and the conquest of Canaan. One of the twelve spies Moses sent to explore the land of Canaan, Caleb was notable for his faith. He and Joshua were the only spies who exhibited trust in God’s promises and advocated for taking the land (Numbers 13-14). Sadly, the Israelites did not follow their advice.
After 40 years in the wilderness, Caleb remained steadfast in his commitment to God. In Joshua 14, Caleb approached Joshua with a bold request, reminding him of a promise by Moses that the land where his feet had walked would be his inheritance. Caleb expressed his readiness to conquer the hill country, inhabited by the formidable Anakim giants. He believed God would enable him to accomplish this task.
Joshua blessed him and granted him the territory of Hebron as his inheritance. At 85, Caleb fearlessly led the charge against the Anakim and drove them out, claiming the land for himself and his descendants (Joshua 14:6-15; 15:13-14).
Othniel was Caleb’s nephew (Judges 1:13). When Caleb went to conquer his portion of the Promised Land, he promised the hand of his daughter to the man who attacked a place called Kirjath Sepher and took it. Othniel accomplished this and married Caleb’s daughter, Achsah. Othniel’s association with Caleb not only highlights his lineage within the tribe of Judah; it also suggests how Caleb’s faith and leadership influenced subsequent generations.
Othniel’s righteous deeds are recorded in Judges 3:7-11, highlighting his pivotal role in delivering the Israelites from oppression and leading them to victory.
First, Othniel responded to the cry of the Israelites for deliverance. When the Israelites turned away from God and fell into idolatry, they were oppressed by Cushan-Rishathaim, king of Mesopotamia. In their distress, they cried out to God for help (Judges 3:9). Othniel’s willingness to answer this call for deliverance showcases his sensitivity to the needs of his people and his readiness to act by God’s will.
Next, Othniel revealed his courage in leading the Israelites into battle against their oppressors. Despite the formidable strength of the enemy, Othniel fearlessly rallied the Israelite forces and confronted Cushan-Rishathaim’s army. With unwavering trust in God’s power and guidance, Othniel led his troops with courage and determination (Judges 3:10).
Third, Othniel relied upon God’s strength for victory. Recognizing that success in battle depended not on human might but on divine intervention, Othniel trusted God to grant him success. Through prayer, faith, and obedience to God’s commands, Othniel secured a decisive victory and delivered the Israelites (Judges 3:10).
Finally, Othniel established peace and stability in the land. Following the defeat of Cushan-Rishathaim, Othniel’s leadership ushered in 40 years of rest for the Israelites (Judges 3:11). Under Othniel’s just rule, the people enjoyed freedom from oppression, the opportunity to live in peace and security.
After Othniel came Ehud, whose story is found in Judges 3:12-30. Ehud belonged to the tribe of Benjamin and arose as a judge when the Israelites had turned away from God and fallen into idolatry. Consequently, God allowed them to be oppressed by Eglon, the king of Moab, for eighteen years (Judges 3:14).
Ehud’s story begins with his unique physical trait: he was left-handed. This seemingly inconsequential detail would prove crucial in fulfilling God’s plan for Israel’s deliverance. God chose Ehud to defeat Eglon, so Ehud crafted a double-edged sword and concealed it on his right thigh, knowing that the king’s guards would not suspect a weapon hidden there (Judges 3:15-16).
Ehud’s plan unfolded when he presented a tribute to Eglon, who was extremely obese. After delivering the tribute, Ehud requested a private audience with the king under the guise of having a secret message from God. As the king leaned forward to receive the message, Ehud drew his sword with his left hand and plunged it into Eglon’s belly, delivering a fatal blow (Judges 3:20-22).
Following Eglon’s death, Ehud rallied the Israelites to battle against the Moabites. The Israelites launched a surprise attack on the Moabites and inflicted a major victory against their enemies (Judges 3:27-29).
Ehud’s judgeship also brought an 80-year period of peace and prosperity for the Israelites (Judges 3:30). His faithfulness, resourcefulness, and reliance on God’s guidance and strength were key to securing Israel’s freedom from oppression.
Othniel provides Christians today with several valuable lessons that can be applied to our lives and faith journey.
To begin with, Othniel teaches us the importance of passing on our faith. Caleb not only lived a life of obedience and courage with God, but his influence can also be seen in his nephew Othniel. Othniel fought the giants in the land when Joshua led Israel into the promised land, and many years later, as an older man himself, he acted like the 85-year-old Caleb and stood for God and against the oppressors of Israel. We should also learn from trusted elders in the church and those who have gone before us as examples of how to stand up and do what is right.
Othniel didn’t live in a time when everyone was faithful. He obeyed despite prevailing idolatry and disobedience among the Israelites. Othniel’s steadfastness reminds us why fidelity to God’s Word and principles matters so much in a world that often tempts believers to compromise their convictions.
Next, Othniel’s courageous leadership in the face of oppression demonstrates what faith-filled action can accomplish. When the Israelites cried out to God for deliverance, Othniel heeded the call and them into battle. His willingness to confront adversity head-on, relying on God’s strength and guidance, gives us a model for facing challenges in our lives. While Othniel fought a violent and bloody battle against physical foes, we fought these battles through prayer and love and against spiritual enemies seeking to steal, kill, and destroy.
Othniel had a history of greatness and military strength, yet he showed humility and dependence on God’s provision. He understood his victory ultimately came from God. This humility teaches us to recognize our reliance upon God in all circumstances. Christ has already won the victory, and we must follow him and submit to his leadership to participate in those victories. God is sovereign over all, and we must trust in the Lord’s provision and seek his guidance.
Finally, Othniel’s leadership led to peace and prosperity in his day. Part of his trust in God was a reliance upon God’s promises, including the blessings for those who repent of idolatry and repent. The Israelites’ physical bondage was symbolic of their bondage to idolatry. When they ceased worshipping idols and returned spiritually to God, the community and the land enjoyed peace.
We must also endure battles and hardships, remembering that God keeps his promises. He offers us eternal life and abundantly. The other side of our battles and hardships brings us greater blessings in this life and the life to come.
Peace.
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