DEVOTIONAL
THE REFIGE
There’s not much said about Othneil, but his name is found in the redemptive history of the nation of Israel. The Bible doesn’t tell us that he was trained as a military veteran, nor does it tell us that he was a political man, but what it does tell us, is that a fire was kindled in his heart against the perversity that had taken place within his nation. What led up to this moment here on the pages of history where Othniel would be enraged against what was taking place in his culture? Well, let us take a brief moment and look back and pray that God will illumine our minds so that we may understand what awaits a people when they are moved away from The Lords absolute truth concerning morality.
Looking back, before the younger generation crossed over the Jordan to take the land The Lord had given them, they were instructed in the laws of The Lord, and set apart for His service. Then the people of Israel were called to remove the Canaanites from the land along with all of their immoral practices. Among some of these practices was the worship of Baal and a fertility goddess named Asherah. These practices consisted of every sexual perversity apart from God’s mandate, given under the Mosaic law, that exclusively teaches against any sexual union other than between one man and one woman. After all the battles they had fought and the many victories they had won, the mighty military did not drive all of the peoples out of the land. The priest who knew the Mosaic law and the covenant that God had made with them, tolerated these evil practices, and this perversion swept through the land consuming the hearts of the people. The fathers became passive and did not stand up in their homes wielding the sword of truth, fighting for purity, so their children became contaminated with pornographic practices.
The people became blinded by ignorance and were given over two sensual pleasures. They did what seemed right in their own eyes and the children followed suit after them, becoming even more corrupt. They began to worship the creation, rather than the Creator Himself, searing their conscience to the reality of all truth, removing from themselves the commandments given to Moses by The Lord Himself. The nation became corrupt, immoral, and the children began to domineer the homes, holding to only a form of religion while practicing sexual promiscuity, becoming darkened in their minds. They removed themselves any authority that would call them to an account for their lifestyles. From the human perspective, everything seemed hopeless, that is until an aged man named Othniel stepped upon the scene.
No doubt, Othneil began to reflect back upon the power of God when the walls of Jericho fell and the many victories the Lord had given them through Joshua. Therefore, as a holy fire was kindled in his heart, as violent prayer broke forth in his soul, The Spirit of the Lord came upon him and he moved out in faith. It was as if this man lifted up his fist to the heavens crying out, “Not upon my watch O Lord, Not upon my watch,” and began to go throughout all of the land judging the nation, calling them back to the ancient truths of holy scripture, calling them to repentance with preaching that was empowered By God. The nation repented and the Lord delivered them from their oppressors.
Today we are not living in the times of Othniel, but we are living in a time of God’s extraordinary grace through Jesus Christ. We are not called to wield a sword of violence, but that of love, power, and a sound mind, holding firm to The Truth decreed in the Holy Bible, broken in prayer. O Lord, our nation has fallen. Your word has become a dry cistern in the hearts of your people and the children are being swept away like chaff in the wind. Lord, please raise up men like Othniel that will stand and reclaim the land that You have so graciously given us. Please save our children and open up our eyes that we may truly see the state of our country. May tears flow down our eyes like streams of waters, until you move upon our land and save us. Amen!!!
“When the sons of Israel cried to the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer for the sons of Israel to deliver them, Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother.”
Judges 3:9 NASBS