Topical Bible: Judge: Othniel

◄ Judge: Othniel ►

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Introduction:
Othniel is a significant figure in the Book of Judges, recognized as the first judge of Israel after the death of Joshua. His account is primarily found in Judges 3:7-11. Othniel's leadership marks the beginning of the cyclical pattern of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance that characterizes the period of the judges.

Background and Family:
Othniel was the son of Kenaz, making him a member of the tribe of Judah. He is also noted as the younger brother or possibly the nephew of Caleb, a prominent figure known for his faithfulness and courage during the conquest of Canaan. This familial connection to Caleb underscores Othniel's heritage of faith and valor.

Biblical Account:
The narrative of Othniel begins with the Israelites falling into sin by serving the Baals and Asherahs, forsaking the LORD, the God of their fathers. As a result, God allowed them to be oppressed by Cushan-Rishathaim, the king of Mesopotamia, for eight years. In their distress, the Israelites cried out to the LORD for deliverance.

Judges 3:9-10 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. 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 Aram into his hand. So Othniel prevailed against him."

Role as Judge:
Othniel's role as a judge was marked by divine empowerment. The Spirit of the LORD came upon him, enabling him to lead Israel to victory over their oppressors. This divine intervention highlights the theocratic nature of Israel's leadership during this period, where God raised up judges to deliver His people.

Significance of His Judgeship:
Othniel's judgeship is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it demonstrates God's faithfulness in responding to the cries of His people despite their repeated unfaithfulness. Secondly, Othniel's victory over Cushan-Rishathaim brought peace to the land for forty years, a period of rest and stability for Israel. This peace is indicative of the blessings that follow obedience and reliance on God.

Legacy:
Othniel's legacy is one of faith and deliverance. As the first judge, he set a precedent for the judges who followed. His account serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking God's guidance and the power of His Spirit in overcoming challenges. Othniel's life exemplifies the role of a judge as both a military leader and a spiritual guide, leading the people back to faithfulness to God.

Conclusion:
While the account of Othniel is brief, his impact on Israel's history is profound. His leadership brought about a period of peace and demonstrated the power of God working through those He calls. Othniel's account is a testament to the faithfulness of God in delivering His people and the importance of righteous leadership.

Nave's Topical Index

Judges 3:9-11
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 the Israelites after this Misfortune Grew Wicked and Served ...
... Hereupon Othniel, who had given such proofs of his valor, received from the multitude
authority to judge the people; and when he had ruled over them forty years ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 3 how the israelites.htm

July 27. "The Building up of the Body of Christ" (RV , Eph. Iv. 13 ...
... There is a day coming, when, like Othniel, we, too, shall judge the nations, and
rule and reign with Christ on the millennial earth; but ere that glorious day ...
/.../simpson/days of heaven upon earth /july 27 the building up.htm

The Judges.
... The Mesopotamians came down from the northeast and oppressed Israel until Othniel,
Caleb's nephew ... His birth was in answer to prayer and as judge or deliverer he ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter ix the judges.htm

Gifts and Talents.
... Lord came upon" such a hero, judge, statesman, or tribune of the people, especially
in the days of the judges, when it is said of Joshua, Othniel, Barak, Gideon ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/viii gifts and talents.htm

Gideon and the Fleece.
... times God, seeing their distress, raised up "judges" to deliver them from their
enemies, and to judge over them. The first of these judges was named Othniel. ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/gideon and the fleece.htm

The Kingdom Conquering
... XI. Othniel, Ehud, Deborah, Gideon, Jephthah, Samson: the Six Deliverers. ... No Type.
No Prophecy. The work of each judge is analogous to the work of Christ. XIV. ...
/.../palmer/a birds-eye view of the bible/iii the kingdom conquering.htm

Judges
... illustrated by the stories that follow"the stories of Othniel, Ehud, Deborah ... period
by twelve judges, Abimelech being apparently reckoned a judge, though he ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/judges.htm

Samson the Strong.
... Some of them were good men and brave warriors as Othniel and Gideon and Jephthah
and ... It was very sad to see the strong judge of Israel, weak and blind, led by ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xv samson the strong.htm

Miller's views on the Second Coming of Christ.
... The saints will judge them; the justice of God will drive them from the earth into ...
Anarchy,(7) 2. Under Cushan 8 2605 1552 Judges 3:8.3. Othniel 40 2645 1512 ...
/.../hayward/the book of religions/millers views on the second.htm

The Nations of the South-East
... Edomites took part in the Israelitish conquest of Palestine, and both Caleb and
Othniel were Kenizzites by ... Neither "judge" nor high-priest was needed in Edom. ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm