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CHAPTER 14 : Othniel - Ehud - Shamgar
(JUDGES 3:5-31)
THE first scene presented in the history of the Judges is that of Israel's intermarriage
with the heathen around, and their doing "evil in the sight of Jehovah," forgetting Him,
and serving "Baalim and the groves."^185 And the first "judgment" on their apostasy is,
that they are "sold" by the Lord into the hand of "Chushan-rishathaim, king of
Mesopotamia," or rather of "Aram-naharaim," "the highland by the two streams"
(Euphrates and Tigris). Curiously enough, there is an ancient Persian tradition,
according to which the monarchs of Iran, who held dominion "by the streams," waged
war against Egypt, Syria, and Asia Minor. Of their heroes, who are described as
Cushan, or from the land of Chusistan (= Scythians, Parthians?), the most notable is
Rustan or Rastam, a name evidently akin to Rishathaim.^186 And so ancient heathen
records once more throw unexpected light upon the historical narratives of the Old
Testament. The oppression had lasted full eight years when Israel "cried^187 unto
Jehovah." The deliverer raised up for them was Othniel, the younger brother of Caleb,
whose bravery had formerly gained him the hand of his wife (1:12-15). But his success
now was not due to personal prowess.
"The Spirit of Jehovah was^188 upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war." For
the first time in the Book of Judges we meet here the statement, that "the Spirit of
Jehovah" "was upon," or "clothed," or else "came upon" a person.
We naturally connect the expression with what we read of "the manifold gifts of the
Spirit" as these are detailed in Isaiah 11:2, which were distributed to each as God
pleased, and according to the necessity of the time (1 Corinthians 12:11). But, in
thinking of these influences, we ought to bear two things in mind. First: although, in
each case, the influence came straight from above - from the Spirit of God - for the
accomplishment of a special purpose, it was not necessarily, as under the New
Testament dispensation, a sanctifying influence. Secondly: this influence must not be
regarded as the same with the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit in the heart. This also
belongs to the New Testament dispensation. In short, these gifts of the Holy Spirit were
miraculous, rather than gracious - like the gifts in the early Church, rather than as "the
promise of the Father." In the case of Othniel, however, we note that the Spirit of God
"was upon" him, and that, under His influence, "he judged" Israel, even "before he went
out to war." And so, while ancient Jewish tradition in all other instances paraphrases the
expression, "the Spirit of the Lord," by "the spirit of strength," in the case of Othniel -
"the lion of God"^189 - it renders it: "the spirit of prophecy." A war so undertaken must
have been successful, and "the land had rest forty years."^190
(^)