The Judges of Israel were individuals pre-eminently characterisied by faith. There are 15 Judges in total. There was one woman, Deborah, among this illustrious band.
In the eleventh chapter of Hebrews, which records the mighty deeds wrought by faith, five of these 15 Judges are mentioned directly by name: Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah and Samuel, Heb 11:32.
After the death of Joshua these Judges were periodically raised up by the Lord to deliver Israel from their enemies. They were required in times of need when the enemies of Israel defeated and subdued them.
Sometimes these enemies rose from within, sometimes from without, the land of Canaan. There was only deliverance granted when the people turned and cried unto the Lord and He then raised up a deliverer.
The first of these 15 Judges is this man called Othniel. He is introduced to us as the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother. He is from a family with a reputation for wholly following the Lord.
Othniel and his deliverance of Israel as their first Judge is a wonderful type of Christ and His deliverance of a people in servitude. |
