Joel M Bradshaw

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.–Judges 3

A simple rule of the book of Judges: the more written about you, the worse judge you were. Othniel here is listed first. He was the ideal example. And we see the cycle we discussed yesterday. Israel showed apostasy, Yahweh responded in anger, Yahweh showed compassion when Israel cried out to him.

Othniel’s faith was like his brother Caleb, simple and obedient. Less is said about him than his foil, Samson. Samson got multiple chapters. Less is better when it came to verbiage in Judges.

Many like to think of our resumes, accomplishments, and legacies. I wonder if this principle also is good for us. Keep it simple. Othniel’s paragraph is better than Samson’s pages. I need to live a faith like Othniel. Less is better. My life should reflect the glory of Jesus, not the pursuits of self.

The faith of Othniel is a very simple faith. God raised him up for a specific purpose, and Othniel trusted in God’s plan and obediently delivered. Othniel’s focus was others-oriented, not self-oriented. He acted fully in accordance with God’s will. Can it really be that simple for us, as well?–JMB