When the children of Israel cried to Yahweh, Yahweh raised up a savior to the children of Israel, who saved them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother. Yahweh’s Spirit came on him, and he judged Israel; and he went out to war, and Yahweh delivered Cushan Rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand. His hand prevailed against Cushan Rishathaim. The land had rest forty years, then Othniel the son of Kenaz died.
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Now these are the nations which Yahweh left, to test Israel by them, even as many as had not known all the wars of Canaan; only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at least those who knew nothing of it before: the five lords of the Philistines, all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites who lived on Mount Lebanon, from Mount Baal Hermon to the entrance of Hamath. They were left to test Israel by them, to know whether they would listen to Yahweh’s commandments, which he commanded their fathers by Moses. The children of Israel lived among the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. They took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their own daughters to their sons and served their gods. The children of Israel did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight, and forgot Yahweh their God, and served the Baals and the Asheroth. Therefore Yahweh’s anger burned against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Cushan Rishathaim king of Mesopotamia; and the children of Israel served Cushan Rishathaim eight years. When the children of Israel cried to Yahweh, Yahweh raised up a savior to the children of Israel, who saved them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother. Yahweh’s Spirit came on him, and he judged Israel; and he went out to war, and Yahweh delivered Cushan Rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand. His hand prevailed against Cushan Rishathaim. The land had rest forty years, then Othniel the son of Kenaz died.
Parallel Translations
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When the children of Israel cried to Yahweh, Yahweh raised up a savior to the children of Israel, who saved them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother.
Yahweh’s Spirit came on him, and he judged Israel; and he went out to war, and Yahweh delivered Cushan Rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand. His hand prevailed against Cushan Rishathaim.
The land had rest forty years, then Othniel the son of Kenaz died.
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And when the children of Israel cried unto 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.
And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the LORD delivered Chushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushan-rishathaim.
And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died.
Show all 3 translations
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And when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised up a saviour to the children of Israel, who saved them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother.
And the spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel; and he went out to war, and the LORD delivered Cushan-rishathaim king of Aram into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Cushan-rishathaim.
And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died.
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Cross-references (38)
- Judges 3:15 (v9) But when the children of Israel cried to Yahweh, Yahweh raised up a savior for them: Ehud the son of Gera, the Benjamite, a left-handed…
- Judges 1:13 (v9) Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, took it, so he gave him Achsah his daughter as his wife.
- Judges 11:29 (v10) Then Yahweh’s Spirit came on Jephthah, and he passed over Gilead and Manasseh, and passed over Mizpah of Gilead, and from Mizpah of Gilead…
- Judges 13:25 (v10) Yahweh’s Spirit began to move him in Mahaneh Dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.
- Judges 14:6 (v10) Yahweh’s Spirit came mightily on him, and he tore him as he would have torn a young goat with his bare hands, but he didn’t tell his father…
Show all 38 cross-references
- Judges 14:19 (v10) Yahweh’s Spirit came mightily on him, and he went down to Ashkelon and struck thirty men of them. He took their plunder, then gave the…
- 1 Samuel 11:6 (v10) God’s Spirit came mightily on Saul when he heard those words, and his anger burned hot.
- Psalms 22:5 (v9) They cried to you, and were delivered. They trusted in you, and were not disappointed.
- Joshua 11:23 (v11) So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that Yahweh spoke to Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance to Israel according to…
- Judges 3:30 (v11) So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. Then the land had rest eighty years.
- Judges 5:31 (v11) “So let all your enemies perish, Yahweh, but let those who love him be as the sun when it rises in its strength.” Then the land had rest…
- Judges 6:7 (v9) When the children of Israel cried to Yahweh because of Midian,
- Judges 8:28 (v11) So Midian was subdued before the children of Israel, and they lifted up their heads no more. The land had rest forty years in the days of…
- Judges 10:10 (v9) The children of Israel cried to Yahweh, saying, “We have sinned against you, even because we have forsaken our God, and have served the…
- 2 Chronicles 15:1 (v10) The Spirit of God came on Azariah the son of Oded:
- Numbers 24:2 (v10) Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel dwelling according to their tribes; and the Spirit of God came on him.
- Judges 2:16 (v9) Yahweh raised up judges, who saved them out of the hand of those who plundered them.
- Judges 4:3 (v9) The children of Israel cried to Yahweh, for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and he mightily oppressed the children of Israel for…
- Judges 6:34 (v10) But Yahweh’s Spirit came on Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and Abiezer was gathered together to follow him.
- Esther 9:22 (v11) as the days in which the Jews had rest from their enemies, and the month which was turned to them from sorrow to gladness, and from…
- Psalms 107:13-19 (v9) Then they cried to Yahweh in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of…
- Numbers 11:17 (v10) I will come down and talk with you there. I will take of the Spirit which is on you, and will put it on them; and they shall bear the…
- Numbers 11:25 (v10) Yahweh came down in the cloud, and spoke to him, and took of the Spirit that was on him, and put it on the seventy elders. When the Spirit…
- Numbers 11:29 (v10) Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all Yahweh’s people were prophets, that Yahweh would put his Spirit on them!”
- Numbers 27:18 (v10) Yahweh said to Moses, “Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him.
- Joshua 15:17 (v11) Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter as wife.
- Judges 3:9 (v11) When the children of Israel cried to Yahweh, Yahweh raised up a savior to the children of Israel, who saved them, even Othniel the son of…
- 1 Samuel 10:6 (v10) Then Yahweh’s Spirit will come mightily on you, and you will prophesy with them, and will be turned into another man.
- 1 Samuel 12:10 (v9) They cried to Yahweh, and said, ‘We have sinned, because we have forsaken Yahweh, and have served the Baals and the Ashtaroth: but now…
- 1 Samuel 16:13 (v10) Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the middle of his brothers. Then Yahweh’s Spirit came mightily on David from that day…
- 1 Chronicles 4:13 (v11) The sons of Kenaz: Othniel and Seraiah. The sons of Othniel: Hathath.
- 2 Chronicles 20:14 (v10) Then Yahweh’s Spirit came on Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, the Levite, of the…
- Nehemiah 9:27 (v9) Therefore you delivered them into the hand of their adversaries, who distressed them. In the time of their trouble, when they cried to you,…
- Psalms 51:11 (v10) Don’t throw me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.
- Psalms 78:34 (v9) When he killed them, then they inquired after him. They returned and sought God earnestly.
- Psalms 106:41-44 (v9) He gave them into the hand of the nations. Those who hated them ruled over them. Their enemies also oppressed them. They were brought into…
- 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (v10) Now there are various kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are various kinds of service, and the same Lord. There are various kinds…
- Hebrews 6:4 (v10) For concerning those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit,
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (16 sources)
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Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv10–11 Or, Syria.
Or, Syria.
He was stirred up by the Spirit of the Lord.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv9–11 Jdg 3:9 And when the children of Israel cried…
Jdg 3:9 And when the children of Israel cried unto 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.
Ver. 9. And the Lord raised up a deliverer.] Heb., A saviour. A word so emphatical, that other tongues can hardly find a fit word to express it, as Cicero observeth of the Greek word σωτηρ.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv9–11 Cried unto the Lord, i.e. prayed fervently for deliverance.
Cried unto the Lord, i.e. prayed fervently for deliverance.
Caleb’s younger brother; of which see Poole "Jdg 1:13".
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv9–11 And when the children of Israel cried unto the…
And when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord,.... Towards the close of the eight years' bondage, as it may be supposed, groaning under the oppressive taxes laid upon them, and the bondage they were brought into: and
the Lord raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel; he heard their cry, and sent them a saviour, whose spirit he stirred up, and whom he qualified for this service:
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who delivered them; out of the hands of the king of Mesopotamia, and freed them from his oppressions:
even Othniel, the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother; the same that took Debir, and married Achsah, the daughter of Caleb, Jdg 1:12; who now very probably was a man in years.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv9–11 Cried - That is, prayed fervently for deliverance.
Cried - That is, prayed fervently for deliverance.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv9–10 Verse 9. Raised up - Othniel, the son of…
Verse 9. Raised up - Othniel, the son of Kenaz] This noble Hebrew was of the tribe of Judah, and nephew and son-in-law to Caleb, whose praise stands without abatement in the sacred records. Othniel had already signalized his valour in taking Kirjath-sepher, which appears to have been a very hazardous exploit. By his natural valour, experience in war, and the peculiar influence of the Divine Spirit, he was well qualified to inspire his countrymen with courage, and to lead them successfully against their oppressors.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On v9 Jdg 3:9-10. When the children of Israel cried unto…
Jdg 3:9-10. When the children of Israel cried unto the Lord — When they returned to him in repentance, acknowledged him to be their only Protector and Saviour, and prayed fervently for pardon and deliverance; the Lord raised up a deliverer — Qualified a person for, and called him to, the great work of delivering them. The Spirit of the Lord came upon him — With extraordinary influence, endowing him with singular wisdom and courage, and stirring him up to this great undertaking. Judged Israel — That is, pleaded and avenged the cause of Israel against their oppressors. And went out to war — The sacred historian gives us no further account of this war than that Othniel obtained a victory over the king of Mesopotamia, and a peace which lasted forty years. This victory and deliverance of Israel, it seems, happened about thirty-eight years after the death of Joshua.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv9–11 Othniel was already distinguished in Joshua’s lifetime as a…
Othniel was already distinguished in Joshua’s lifetime as a brave and successful leader. See Jos 15:16-17.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv9–11 Saviour. "We must remark, that the man by whom…
Saviour. "We must remark, that the man by whom God grants us safety, is styled a saviour," (St. Augustine, q. 18,) though Christ is the proper and principal Saviour. (Worthington) --- Caleb. Septuagint, "the younger son of Cenez, who was the brother of Caleb." (Haydock) --- Othoniel was one of the ancients. If he could not prevent the people from falling into idolatry, he rescued them from it. (Calmet)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv9–11 when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord--In…
when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord--In their distress they had recourse to earnest prayer, accompanied by humble and penitent confession of their errors.
Othniel--(See on Jos 15:16; Jdg 1:13). His military experience qualified him for the work, while the gallant exploits he was known to have performed, gained him the full confidence of his countrymen in his ability as a leader.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv9–11 9. When the children of Israel cried unto the…
9. When the children of Israel cried unto the Lord — Here is a sudden revival of memory. Adversity banishes that forgetfulness of God which prosperity has produced.
The Lord raised up a deliverer — There is an adage among the Jews that “when the tale of bricks is increased, Moses comes forth.” Every nation has had its national saviour, who has stepped to the front of its decimated armies, and lifted up its drooping banner, and inspired it with his own indomitable courage and sublime faith. Not only true piety but true philosophy must regard such men at such times as the gift of the God of nations.
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Othniel — See on Jos_15:17. The fact that Othniel, whether he were brother or nephew of Caleb, was the first judge of Israel, shows that Chushan’s oppression came not long after the death of Joshua.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv9–11 9. The verse is composed of the standing phrases…
9. The verse is composed of the standing phrases of the Dtc. compiler: cried unto the Lord Jdg_3:15, Jdg_4:3, Jdg_6:6-7, Jdg_10:10; raised up … saved Jdg_3:15, see Jdg_2:16 n.
Othniel] See Jdg_1:13 n.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv9–11 (9) Cried unto the Lord.—“In the time of their…
(9) Cried unto the Lord.—“In the time of their trouble, when they cried unto Thee, Thou heardest them from heaven; and according to Thy manifold mercies Thou gavest them saviours” (Neh_9:27). “Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses” (Psa_107:13; see, too, Psa_26:5; Psa_78:34; Psa_106:44).
A deliverer.—Heb., moshia; LXX., “a saviour.” (Comp. Luk_1:69; Act_13:23.) The same word as is used for the judges in Heb_9:27.
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Othniel.—The name means “lion of God.” St. Jerome makes it mean “my time of God,” and spells it Athaniel
The son of Kenaz.—(See Jdg_1:13.) Josephus, to escape the apparent improbability of a brother of Caleb being young enough to marry Caleb’s daughter, when Caleb was past eighty-five, calls him “a person of the tribe of Judah.” He rightly regards the events of Judges 17-21 as preceding the judgeship of Othniel; but they can hardly have happened during the oppression of Cushan-Rishathaim.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv9–11 A deliverer. Hebrew, Saviour, as ver. 15. (see Neh_9:27)…
A deliverer. Hebrew, Saviour, as ver. 15. (see Neh_9:27) Othniel, etc. Mentioned Jud_1:13Jo 15:17, and 1Ch_4:13, where he is placed under "the sons of Kenaz," and seems to be the father of Hathath and Meonothai. According to RAPC Jdt 6:15, he had a descendant, Chabris, living in the time of Holofernes. The Hebrew, though grammatically it favours the view that Othniel was the brother of Caleb, does not absolutely exclude the rendering that Kenaz was his brother, and so Othniel his nephew. Compare Jer_32:7, wherethe words "thine uncle" apply to Shallum, not to Hanameel, as is clear from ver. 8. And as the chronology seems to make it impossible that Othniel should be Caleb"s brother, since Caleb was eighty-five years old at the time of Othniel"s marriage, and Othniel therefore could not be less than fifty-five, an improbable age for his marriage; and since, again, Othniel could not well have been less than eighty at Joshua"s death, which, allowing only ten years for the elders, and reckoning the eight years for Chushan"s dominion, would make him ninety-eight when he was raised up to deliver Israel, it is a lesser difficulty to take Othniel as the nephew of Caleb, by understanding the words, Calebs younger brother, to apply to Kenaz. But perhaps the least objectionable escape from the difficulty is to take the phrase in its most natural grammatical sense, but to understand the word brother in its wider and very common sense of kinsman or fellow-tribesman. They were both sons of Kenaz, or Kenizzites. Caleb was the head of the tribe, and Othniel was next to him in tribal dignity, and his junior in age, but probably succeeded to the chieftainship on Caleb"s death. This would leave the exact relationship between Caleb and Othniel uncertain.
Vers. 9, 10. True deliverance must ever come from God.
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It is a curious fact in the history of Israel that it is never until they have acknowledged God as the source of salvation that they achieve any permanent success. It is as if this people were to learn that only by supernatural means is it ever to fulfil its destiny.
I HE INSPIRES TRUE HEROISM. Of Othniel we have already heard; he stands as a representative of early Israelitish chivalry. But on the occasion on which he distinguished himself formerly, the inspiration was hardly so lofty as to mark him out as especially the servant of God. He is, however, on the threshold of the great life of self-denial and generous self-sacrifice which characterised the judge of Israel. He is a vessel chosen of God for better service. Of the particular influences which marked him out for the high office to which he was called we are not informed. All that we know is, that the Spirit of the Lord came upon him. That he was well qualified otherwise for warlike exploits we know; but the merely human traits of character which he has displayed are nothing without this distinctive inspiration. God finds the man for the hour.
II THE MORAL AUTHORITY IS DIVINELY CREATED. Israel gravitates towards Othniel as its moral centre. By a kind of moral necessity he becomes its judge, and there is no one to dispute his ascendancy. The prestige which he gains in his magistracy is not injured by military failures. We are to look upon all this as proof that God was with him. preserving and increasing his reputation, and developing the powers which he possessed. When it is said, (Jud_1:2:18) "And when the Lord raised them up judges, then the Lord was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge," we are invited to behold no series of merely human successes, but that which is directly due to his presence and help. And so with all Whom he inspires for special service; he will make their moral influence his care, sustain their strength, and secure uninterrupted success if they put their trust in him. M.
Natural advantages and endowments perfected and crowned by consecration.
I THE BEST CHANNEL FOR OTHNIEL"S ABILITIES WAS THAT INDICATED BY THE DIVINE CALL.
II IN OBEDIENCE OF GOD"S SPIRIT HE SECURED THE MOST COMMANDING INFLUENCE.
III AS SERVANT OF JEHOVAH HE ATTAINED ENDURING RENOWN. M.
HOMILIES BY W.F. ADENEY Vers. 9, 10. Great men.
The Book of Judges brings before us the heroic age of Israel. The multitude of the people are in a condition of moral and political degradation, but great men appear from time to time whose individual heroism secures the salvation of their nation. Othniel, the first of the judges, may serve as a type of the rest. The characters and mission of these men may throw some light upon the function of great men in the economy of Providence.
I GREAT MEN OWE THEIR GREATNESS TO GOD. Many of the judges sprang from obscure families; they were not hereditary rulers, but men sent of God with individual vocations. Othniel belonged to the honourable family of Caleb, and shared in the fame of that family, perhaps, partly in virtue of hereditary qualities. But even he is described as owing his greatness to God.
1. Great men are sent by God. When the people cried unto the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer." There are men who are born heroes men whose great qualities are owing to their nature, not to their culture or their conduct. He who believes in providence will recognise that such men are raised up" by God.
2. Great men derive their highest powers directly from God. The Spirit of the Lord came upon Othniel. The military and political ability of Othniel as warrior and judge are ascribed to a Divine inspiration. All truly great men are inspired by God. Not only ore they originally formed and sent by God, but they owe their powers to the constant influence of God within them. Bad men of genius receive their genius from God, and are therefore guilty of prostituting the noblest Divine gift to evil purposes. Such men attain to no more than an earthly greatness. In the sight of God their low aims destroy the character of heroism which their abilities rendered possible. On the other hand, all Christians may attain to a measure of greatness in proportion as they receive the Spirit of God; yet we must distinguish between the graces of the Spirit, which are for all Christians, and the gifts of the Spirit, which are special, and bestowed on individual men.
II GREAT MEN HAVE A MISSION TO THEIR FELLOW-MEN.
1. Great men are intrusted with great talents for the benefit of others. To devote these to selfish ends of ambition or pleasure is a mark of gross unfaithfulness. We are members one of another; and that member which has the highest capacities will produce the largest amount of harm if it refuses to perform its functions in promoting the welfare of the whole body.
2. Great men are needed by the world. The heroic age has passed, and there is now more power in the general thought and life of men than in primitive times. The work of individual men has often been overrated when compared with the deep, silent strength of public opinion, and the slow, steady movement of national progress. Yet it is real and large. Christianity would have lived if Paul had never been converted; the Reformation would have come without Luther. But these movements would have taken a different form, and probably would have made much slower progress without the help of their leading spirits. Great inventors, legislators, reformers have left a distinct individual stamp on the history of our race. Christianity is not a product of the spirit of its age; it owes its origin to the life of the greatest of men.
III THE MISSION OF GREAT MEN VARIES ACCORDING TO THE NEEDS OFF THEIR AGE. In the heroic age of Israel the great men are warriors who deliver the people from the yoke of invaders; later they appear as kings who lay the foundations of constitutional government, e.g. David and Solomon; later as prophets, etc. Perhaps the gifts for all varieties of excellence exist in every age, but a natural selection brings to light only those which are suitable for each particular age. But possibly there is a providential economy which shapes the great man according to the needs of his age. In either case it is clear that there is a breadth and variety of Divine inspiration, so that we cannot limit it to any one form of manifestation, nor deny that it may be found in some novel and startling shape as the requirements of the world assume new features. A.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On v9 Othniel the son of Kenaz . . . and…
Jdg_3:9-11
Othniel the son of Kenaz . . . and the Spirit of the Lord came upon him.
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The controlling man
It is the personal soul that is the basis of all action. Your machinery is soulless, and the true driver, after all, is the man with his hand on the throttle. You invent, and you multiply motions, and actions, and skilled operations; but you never can dispense with the brain and mind and heart of the controlling man. In the same way, all movements on this earth need to head up into personal souls. God sets a man in charge of the machinery, and as the stars and suns revolve in their cycles, as the events of the human race happen and are run off the reel, they get their explanation only from the personal souls that have been in the movements. When the time of the Reformation was at hand, Luther shakes himself in yonder cell and comes forth. When the thick mists of Popish darkness were to be rolled away from Scotland, John Knox appeared. It is the same all down the ages: men, personal souls, are called forth to lead events to their God-destination and God-purpose. Events need men. So with God! When the time came, God found the Person who would undertake this great purpose of redeeming love, who would atone for man, and suffer on the Cross. (John Robertson.)
Othniel
Othniel, the first of the judges, seems one of the best. He is not a man of mere rude strength and dashing enterprise; nor is he one who runs the risk of sudden elevation of power, which few can stand. A person of acknowledged honour and sagacity, he sees the problem of the time and does his best to solve it. He is almost unique in this, that he appears without offence, without shame. And his judgeship is honourable to Israel. It points to a higher level of thought and greater seriousness among the tribes than in the century when Jephthah and Samson were the acknowledged heroes. The nation had not lost its reverence for the great names and hopes of the Exodus when it obeyed Othniel and followed him to battle. (R. A. Watson, M. A.)
Political leadership
In modern times there would seem to be scarcely any understanding of the fact that no man can do real service as a political leader unless he is a fearer of God, one who loves righteousness more than country, and serves the Eternal before any constituency. Sometimes a nation low enough in morality has been so far awake to its need and danger as to give the helm, at least for a time, to a servant of truth and righteousness and to follow where he leads. But more commonly is it the case that political leaders are chosen anywhere rather than from the ranks of the spiritually earnest. It is oratorical dash now, and now the cleverness of the intriguer, or the power of rank and wealth, that catches popular favour and exalts a man in the State. Members of parliament, cabinet ministers, high officials need have no devoutness, no spiritual seriousness or insight. A nation generally seeks no such character in its legislators, and is often content with less than decent morality. Is it then any wonder that politics are arid and governments a series of errors? We need men who have the true idea of liberty and will set nations nominally Christian on the way of fulfilling their mission to the world. When the people want a spiritual leader he will appear; when they are ready to follow one of high and pure temper he will arise and show the way. But the plain truth is that our chiefs in the State, in society and business must be the men who represent the general opinion, the general aim. While we are in the main a worldly people, the best guides, those of spiritual mind, will never be allowed to carry their plans. And so we come back to the main lesson of the whole history, that only as each citizen is thoughtful of God and of duty, redeemed from selfishness and the world, can there be a true commonwealth, honourable government, beneficent civilisation. (R. A. Watson, M. A.)
Prayer helpful to leadership
You may be as unlike a warrior, as unlike one of the Lord Jesus Christs Ironsides as unlike can be, yet you have a great deal to do with the making and shaping and sending of them. Can you feel the woes of Israel? Can you shed tears over her? Have you a large, sympathetic heart? And, summing it all up in one word, can you cry? can you pray? When the children of Israel cried unto the Lord, the Lord sent this mighty Othniel, upon whom the Spirit of the Lord came Ah! I think we are weak there. We would have more great preachers, we would have more revival movements, in the large meaning of the word revival--not only the ingathering of sinners, but the up-building and brightening of saints--if we had more people who sigh and cry for the sad condition of Gods inheritance. Ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence. Tossing often on a bed of sickness, or weakness, or pain, do you sigh and cry? Then will God be getting ready His Othniels, and Ehuds, and Shamgars. (John McNeill.)
The gift of the Spirit of the Lord
This clearly teaches us that all gifts of the Spirit, and all excellent effects thereof, they are none of ours--they are the Lords; He giveth and distributeth them at His pleasure, as we see here that it was the Spirit of the Lord that came upon Othniel, whereby he brought to pass the great things that he did. And whatsoever is of any note in man for price and excellency it is all of God, and cometh from His mere bounty. Alas! there is no bird stripped of her feathers more bare and naked than man in himself is void of goodness; for what hath he that he hath not received? Insomuch as all that he hath to glory of is his sin--a most holy and approved truth, which giveth God His due, and layeth out man in his colours, that he is nothing else, if he rob not God of His honour, and prank not up himself in his gifts, he is nothing else but naked, poor, and a mirror of misery: (R. Rogers.)
Judgment, then deliverance
Judgment and then deliverance; judgment of the mistakes and sins men have committed, thereby bringing themselves into trouble; conviction of sin and righteousness; thereafter guidance and help that their feet may be set on a rock and their goings established--this is the right sequence. That God should help the proud, the self-sufficient out of their troubles in order that they may go on in pride and vain glory, or that He should save the vicious from the consequences of their vice and leave them to persist in their iniquity, would be no Divine work. The new mind and the right spirit must be put in men, they must bear their condemnation, lay it to heart and repent, there must be a revival of holy purpose and aspiration first. Then the oppressors will be driven from the land, the weight of trouble lifted from the soul. (R. A. Watson, M. A.)
The making of a hero
This is a book of heroes, of strong men, and strong women too, who, in a time of storm and stress, saved their own souls and the souls of those around them also. It will brace you up, invigorate, and inspire you. It is said of Pitt that he breathed his own lofty spirit into his country. No man, said a soldier of the time, ever entered Mr. Pitts room who did not feel himself a braver man when he came out than when he went in. And no man can read this book sympathetically without being moved to emulation of the mighty souls that move across its pages. It tells us very briefly, but suggestively, the story of twelve people who helped to make Israel, and of these the first, and in some respects the best also, is Othniel, the son of Kenaz. Many of these saviours, as they are called, were far from being perfect characters. But in Othniels life, as we have it, there is no hint of anything that offends either the taste or the conscience. His name means Gods Lion; and throughout he seems to have been a brave, pure, noble man. And yet the age in which he lived was a very corrupt one. His surroundings were very unfavourable to the growth of character. There was no king or leader in Israel--every man did that which was right in his own eyes. Idolatry and licentiousness abounded. And the task set before you, young men and women, is not so very unlike that which faced Othniel. You must first save yourselves--you must, by Gods help, save your own souls. You must also help God to save the world. This is your task and your privilege--both to be saved and to be saviours. But how did Othniel become a hero and a saviour of his people?
I. Caleb said He that smiteth Kiriath-sepher and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife. And Othniel the son of Kenaz took it. That is the first fact given us from Othniels life, and that is all that is said about it--Othniel took it--took the stronghold of the mighty sons of Anak--the oracle city of idolatry before which even Caleb quailed. Othniel took it. But many things go to the making of such a deed as that.
1. First, of course, comes courage. It was an undertaking full of desperate difficulties. What was needed was not so much physical as moral courage. The courage to follow is common enough; it is the courage to lead that is rare. Othniel had this soul-quality. He led the way and took the city. Well, if you young people are bent upon saving yourselves from the evil that is in the world, you too must have and must exercise this soul-courage. It often needs more courage to handle the yard-wand than the sword--to be a business-man than to be a soldier. Daily life, all hum-drum as it looks, has its Marathons, its Waterloos, and its Minas; its Six Hundreds that ride into the jaws of death.
2. But courage, what is it? How does any one get courage? Well, if we take another look at Othniel we shall see that the lion in him was not born on the day Debir was taken. It was already strong, matured, full grown. Born long before this in the desert, it had been nourished by daily deeds of unrewarded valour. Acts such as this take years to grow. All his life he had been unconsciously preparing for this. Yes, that is the story of all courage. God gives it to us as He gives all things in seed form. Every heart is full of germs--courage-germs among them. If we cultivate any germ it grows and bears fruit; if we neglect it it dies. If you want courage you must grow it from a seed--that is you must practise the little you have.
3. Once more: This deed of Othniels lays bare to us the central secret of all true power--faith. You are familiar with great facts of which Othniel never even dreamt. But your salvation does not depend on how many beliefs you carry about with you, but on how much do you believe any of them. Any truth becomes a saving truth to the soul that trusts it and through it trusts God. Thus this little sentence, unpromising as it looks, gives us three things that go to the making of a hero: courage, habit, faith, and the greatest of these is faith.
II. And he (Caleb) gave him Achsah his daughter to wife: and it came to pass when she came unto him that she moved him to ask of her father a field. This, the second of the three facts of Othniels history, introduces us into a very different set of circumstances, a different climate of life in fact.
1. Debir is taken; Caleb has kept his word; the bride is coming to her new home. Applause is not much for a young pair to live on; so, amid the excitement and the joy, this fair daughter of the wilderness kept her eyes open and her wits about her. She noted the situation in which her new home lay. It was south land. It had no water. She moved her husband to ask for the field that had the springs of water. But Othniel is better at fighting than asking. Her humour, her sense, and her exquisite tact carried all before them. Caleb gave her the upper springs and the nether springs.
2. But what has this to do with the making of a hero? Much in every way. Othniel was brave enough but he had a great deal to learn. He had taken Debir with his sword, but here at his own door he is confronted with a situation in which his sword is useless. Evidently he must learn the use of other weapons. He must master the art of gracious speech. He must acquire tact. There are knots which it avails not to cut, they must be patiently untied by skilful fingers. He is to help in making a people who shall never become formidable as a military power--never produce an Alexander or a Caesar--who shall ultimately lose all their swords, lose every inch of their territory and every stone of their citadels, and yet shall overcome their enemies through sheer force of character. That he may do this God sent him to the home-school and the farm-school to learn those homely virtues of common sense, patience, and tact, without which strength and courage were of little avail.
3. Well, you too, young people, must not despise these.
III. The children of Israel did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord . . . the children of Israel served Cashan-rishathaim eight years . . . the children of Israel cried unto the Lord. Many years--forty, perhaps, or even more--have passed since Othniel and Achsah took possession of their new home, and we are confronted with a new and painful situation. The Lords people forgat the Lord and served the Baalim--that was their sin! They served Cushan, King of Mesopotamia--that was their punishment Egypt and Pharaoh were not so far away as they thought. Egypt, the land of bondage, is wherever sin is, and Pharaoh follows iniquity as the night the day. And the Lord raised up a saviour . . . even Othniel, and the Spirit of the Lord came upon him. He raised him to this glorious height of manhood by breathing into him His own breath of love and life. There were many reasons why Othniel should do nothing. The chief, perhaps, was that apparently he could do nothing. Perhaps Achsah was another--and the farm a third. Yes, depend upon it there were many voices both within and without that bade Othniel beware of meddling with things beyond his power. But the still small voice called. He put himself, all that he was, all that he had, upon the altar, and he judged Israel. He called the erring people back to truth and duty. Led by Gods spirit he began there, with the peoples own sin first. Then he went out to war . . . and his hand prevailed against Cushan, and the land had rest forty years. Thus Othniel, even Othniel, became a saviour of his people, and the lion-like man of war, under the influence of Gods spirit, was changed into a living prophecy of the Lamb of God, the Saviour of the world. And Othniel, the son of Kenaz, died, having in a rude, hard age, nobly sustained the character of the Happy Warrior. The phase Othniel--a saviour, is at once his epitaph and his eulogy. Well, even so are noble lives still made. Faith, patience, wisdom, and the breath of God are the great life-building powers. Saviourhood is the end of all the ways of God in a soul. He makes some men strong in order that they may help the weak. He gives wisdom to some that they may thereby guide the foolish. He makes men holy in order that they may turn the unholy from the error of their way. Now, young people, will you be made strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might? Around you, in numbers that Othniel never dreamed of, are men that serve the Baalim and serve Cushan, that sin, and suffer for their sin in mind, body, and estate. Will you help to save these? (J. M. Gibbon.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v9 Yahweh raised up someone
Yahweh raised up someone
Yahweh appointing someone to do a special work for him is spoken of as if Yahweh raised or lifted up the person. (See: Metaphor)
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Othniel ... Kenaz
See how you translated these men's names in Judges 1:13.
empowered him
This phrase means that Yahweh helped Othniel to have and develop the qualities he needed to be a great leader.
he judged Israel
Here "judged" means he led the people of Israel.
he went out to war
Here "he" refers to Othniel who represents himself and the army of Israel. AT: "Othniel and the Israelite soldiers went to fight against the army of Cushan-Rishathaim" (See: Synecdoche)
Yahweh gave him victory over Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram
Here "Cushan-Rishathaim" represents his army. AT: "Yahweh helped the Israelite army defeat the army of Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram" (See: Synecdoche)
The hand of Othniel
Here "hand" is a metonym for army. AT: "The army of Othniel" (See: Metonymy)
The land had peace
"The land" is used to refer to the people who lived in the land. AT: "The people lived peacefully" (See: Metonymy)
forty years
"40 years" (See: Numbers)
translationWords
call
Caleb
Holy Spirit
judge, judges
Aram
power
year
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.