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7And 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. 8Therefore 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. 9But 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. 10The 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. 11So the land had rest forty years. Then Othniel the son of Kenaz died.
Othniel already was a Judean hero, distinguished for his courage and skill. But none of these characteristics qualified him to take on the foreign emperor Cushan-Rishathaim. But "the Spirit of Yahweh came upon him" (3:10), who took an unqualified individual and made him into what he wanted him to be. In this case, the conqueror of a world-class enemy.
In principle, there is no difference between you and Othniel. If you believe in Christ, the Spirit has been given to you to be all that God wants you to be. He is your power from on high. In Othniel's story the presence of God showed itself in the transformation of the young man into the ruler that he was to be. But transformation is what the Spirit's work in us is all about, too. And wherever you find the Spirit's fruit—love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness—the forces of evil are dethroned and light prevails. Herein lies our hope in this life. For it is not by might or by power, but by God's Spirit, that victories are won, so that we can fulfill our heavenly calling in this world.
The victory against the enemy king and the resulting peace during Othniel's tenure was God's work. God is the one who in the end accomplishes God's purposes God's way. In a similar sense, the apostle spoke of his work and the work of his colleague Apollos in proclaiming the gospel. Growth in faith was the result, but Paul knew it was not his doing: "Who then is Apollos? Who is Paul? Servants through whom you came to believe, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth" (1 Cor. 3:5-6). Othniel may have fought, but God gave the victory. The final words then usher the first off the stage: "Othniel the son of Kenaz died."
Othniel's power was very limited, and he was always dependent upon God. He certainly cannot deliver us. He is gone, but in time God raised up a deliverer of a different sort. He was not a warrior, and he did not quarrel nor cry out, nor would he raise his voice in the streets. He died, too, but he lives, and he is able to save us completely. He gives peace for our souls, and the assurance that God is love. Jesus Christ has promised us a kingdom, and the land will have rest. Not for 40 years, or 50, or 100, but forever. In this kingdom, evil will not have a second chance for a comeback. Thanks be to God through our Lord Jesus Christ! We remember him who has already given us his rest and peace. His words are, "Peace I leave with you, I give my peace to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, neither be afraid" (John 14:27).
The author of these devotionals, the Rev. Martin Emmrich, is an ordained OPC minister (Westminster OPC, Corvallis, Oregon) as well as the author of Pneumatological Concepts in the Epistle to the Hebrews, a book on the teaching of Hebrews on the Holy Spirit. We are happy to make these devotionals on Ecclesiastes and other passages of Scripture available to you.
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