Tag: Othniel

Judges 3

One thing to add about the judges, we are not to think of them being consecutive or in order ruling over all of Israel. Each judge judged portions of Israel, some at overlapping times.

This opening paragraph is quite odd. God is stating that He purposely left the nations before the Israelites to training them for war to defend the nation against intruders and to test the loyalty of the people.

One thing to add about the judges, we are not to think of them being consecutive or in order ruling over all of Israel. Each judge judged portions of Israel, some at overlapping times.

This opening paragraph is quite odd. God is stating that He purposely left the nations before the Israelites to training them for war to defend the nation against intruders and to test the loyalty of the people. The ending paragraph states they failed the first command against syncretism. They intermarried those in the land resulting in false worship. Paul would later ask what part does the Holy Spirit have with Baal [actually Christ and Belial] (2 Corinthians 6.14-15)?

Othniel is found in Judges 1 and Joshua 15 (and is mentioned in 1 and 2 Chronicles). He is the one who married his uncle Caleb’s daughter. Looking at these verses in light of the pattern we see:

  • Relapse: Israelites forgot God and served the Baals and Asherahs
  • Retribution: Oppression by the King of Aram (Cushan-Rishathaim)
  • Repentance: The people cried to God to deliver them
  • Rescue: The Holy Spirit came upon Othniel who delivered them
  • Rest: 40 years of peace

In watching this pattern unfold, each time, watch who is doing all the action other than the sinning. It is always God allowing, giving, raising, etc. He is the sovereign in control of all things; He is not the author, but He is in control.

Ehud is mentioned again in the Scripture in a list of descendants.

  • Relapse: They did evil in the eyes of God
  • Retribution: The King of Moab ruled Israel with the Ammonites and Amalekites
  • Repentance: The people cried to God to deliver them
  • Rescue: Ehud killed Eglon (king of Moab) with deceptive tactics (being left-handed was different and he used the way God created him to accomplish God’s purposes, no one else could have done what he did)
  • Rest: 80 years of peace

Shamgar is only mentioned here and in the song that Deborah sings in Judges 6.

Nothing is stated about the Israelite’s relapse, retribution, repentance, or rest. It merely states that God rescued the Israelites from the Philistines.

Our next look at the book of Judges will take a close look at a woman judge, Deborah.

Joshua 13-17

Joshua 13-This is the second time we read that the Israelites did not utterly destroy a nation. I wonder what is going to become of those listed in verse 13 and how they will affect Israel?

It is better to read this with a map of the lands conquered by Joshua. This is a long list of places, towns, and people.

Joshua 13-This is the second time we read that the Israelites did not utterly destroy a nation. I wonder what is going to become of those listed in verse 13 and how they will affect Israel? The same question could be asked in 14.12, 15.63, 16.10, 17.13

Peter says that we are all priests, like the Levites (13.14, 33; 14.4). Does this mean we should not be concerned with our inheritance on this earth and that we should seek no possessions except the Lord Himself? If so, what does this state our values should be and are we focusing on those values which honor Him?

Joshua 14-Caleb is interesting. This passage shows us that it took five years from the crossing of the Jordan to the conquering of the land at this point. How do I infer this?

Joshua 15-I wonder if my daughter would go for the deal that Caleb set forth and Othniel took. Verse 63 states that Jerusalem could not be conquered. I wonder why God didn’t allow them to take it at this point but allowed David to establish it at a later date.

Joshua 17-The closing is interesting. Why did the tribes of Joseph get more and why did they receive the place they did in the manner God told them? Does God do that for us? Does He have more for us, but we need to ask and work harder for it?

No one was left out from the tribes of Israel. All that God called were blessed.

God continually gave to the Israelites according to His promises, not beyond what He spoke but beyond what they thought. How does that apply to how we should interpret Scripture?

I realize this was not as in-depth as the earlier ones but I do get lazy at times when lists are involved even though I have found some great treasures in lists.

Have a blessed day and possess the promises God has made to us.