Judges 3:7-11--Othniel

Judges 3:7-11
English Standard Version
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Othniel
7 And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD. They forgot the LORD their God and served the Baals and the Asheroth. 8 Therefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia. And the people of Israel served Cushan-rishathaim eight years. 9 But when the people of Israel cried out to the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer for the people of Israel, who saved them, Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother. 10 The Spirit of the LORD was upon him, and he judged Israel. He went out to war, and the LORD gave Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand. And his hand prevailed over Cushan-rishathaim. 11 So the land had rest forty years. Then Othniel the son of Kenaz died.

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You may remember Othniel from Judges 15 where Caleb promised his daughter Achsah to the man who could capture Kiriath-sepher.  This is the same Othniel, the son of Kenaz who defeated Kiriath-sepher and married Caleb's daughter.  He would be the first of the judges that the LORD would use to deliver the people when they cried out to the LORD for salvation.

The people had already in that time done what was evil in the sight of the LORD, forgotten the LORD, and served the Baals and Asheroth (the gods and goddesses of the Canaanites that were gods and goddesses of fertility).  So, the LORD sold them into the hand of Cushan-rishathaim, king of Mesopotamia, and the people of Israel were in servitude to this Mesopotamian king for eight years.

The people did cry out to the LORD and the LORD heard them and He raised up a deliverer for them in Othniel, the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother.  The Spirit of the LORD came upon Othniel (something that we'll see in common with the judges, the prophets, and many of the good kings) so that he was given supernatural gifts (not necessarily just strength) to accomplish this work that the LORD had for him to do, but that would be impossible for him to do within his own strength and natural talents.  If the Spirit of the LORD were not upon him, this task would not have been possible.

Othniel led Israel to war against Cushan-rishathaim and the people of Israel prevailed and had rest for forty years as they were under the direction and leadership of Othniel.  However, Othniel died after this and we will see Israel once again turn away from the LORD when they do not have a strong leader in place that loved the LORD and both obeyed and enforced His Law.

Next time we'll see how the LORD will use the king of Moab to bring correction to his people and how he will raise up Ehud, the left-handed judge, to bring about deliverance.