‘But when the people of Israel cried out to the LORD, the LORD raised up to deliverer for the people of Israel who saved them, Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother’ (Judges 3:9).

One of the things I really like about the Marvel ‘Avengers’ films is you meet some pretty diverse characters. For example, Steve Rogers, Captain America, acts, and is, every inch a hero. On the other hand there’s Scott Lang, also known as Ant man. There’s no doubt that he’s very well-meaning, but in some ways he’s a bit of a doofus! But, on the other hand, he can still be heroic! The same could be said about this next section in the book of Judges as over the course of chapter 3 we will meet three very different Judges. One has all the credentials of a hero, but the other two are the most very unlikely heroes you could image! But we start with someone who’s very much a hero.

The pattern of the prologue, chapter 1 to the first part of chapter 3, gives us a very helpful overview of the book (The Book of Judges: The Prologue: Judges 1:1-3:6). And it’s manifested here. Israel has sinned against the Lord and the Lord  brings judgement upon them as: ‘he sold them into the hand of Cushan-rishathaim King of Mesopotamia.’  The phrase: ‘sold’ is very appropriate as originally the Lord had ‘redeemed’ (bought) Israel from their slavery in in Egypt. The rather long winded name of the King (he was probably just knowing as Cushan) is also interesting as it can be interpreted as ‘doubly wicked.’[1] In other words, Israel was in great trouble and, in verse 8, we are told that Israel was subject to him for eight years! Then: ‘the people of Israel cried out to the Lord’ (v9).

But what does that actually mean? Was this actually true repentance? Dale Ralph Davis is helpful here as he notes: ‘it denotes crying for help (frequently directed to Yahweh) out of deep distress or because of some unbelievable circumstance; occasionally it simply signifies a cry of anguish directed to no one in particular.’[2] But whatever the case, the Lord, in his grace and mercy, raises up Othniel who, as we shall see, has the credentials to be, and is, every inch a hero! But who is he?

The text tells us Caleb was his uncle and also his father-in-law. We’ve met Caleb before in scripture as he was one of the spies, along with Joshua, who was sent up to spy out the land. Whereas the other spies gave a very negative report (which led to 40 years wandering in the desert) Caleb and Joshua gave a very positive one because they were convince that the Lord would be faithful and help Israel in their campaign (Numbers 13:17-33). Later at the age of 85 he got the chance to claim his inheritance when he led a campaign in Israel’s war against the nations of the land. Othniel became his son-in-law when Caleb offered his daughter to the man who could capture Kiriath-sepher (1:12-13). This obviously means that Othniel was a very brave man, but one can’t help thinking that his heritage helped and Caleb’s faith, bravery and enthusiasm prove to be inspirational and contagious! Anyway: ‘The Spirit of the LORD was upon him, and he judged Israel. He went out to war and the LORD gave him Cushan-rishathaim King of Mesopotamia into his hand’  (v10).

One of the things I find very encouraging in this story is that Othniel, when he was raised up to be Israel’s deliverer, was probably older than Caleb was when he headed up the original military campaign. So, he was as still as zealous for the Lord’s cause in his old age! One can’t help think that just as he was inspired by Caleb, he probably became an inspiration to another generation. Isn’t it great to know that as Christians, there’s no reason why our service for the Lord should diminish with age. Indeed, it can often mature and deepen and we can be used to even greater effect as we get older if we are zealous for the Lord’s cause as Othniel was!

But the thing we mustn’t miss here is everything was the Lord’s doing. Othniel may have been Israel’s deliverer, but it is only because God chooses to use him to be his instrument! What this does prove is that when the Lord chooses to use someone who is zealous and faithful, it’s a formidable combination and can often be an unstoppable force for his cause!

[1] Warren Wiersbe, Be Available, Accepting the Challenge to Confront the Enemy, Judges (Colorado Springs, Victor Books, 1994) 26.

[2]  Dale Ralph Davis, Judges, Such a Great Salvation (Fearn, Christian Focus Publications, 2000) 50.