Let's look at the book of Judges. The panorama (view of a wide area or 'picture') of the book of Judges in the Bible is a vicious circle of sin, oppression, repentance, and restoration. When a leader or judge (i.e. ruler, savior, or deliverer) whom God raised up died, the people's faith also died. They would then fall into idolatry again, getting oppressed by the enemy, crying out to God again, and finally God would raise up another 'deliverer' among them. This is what Judges ('Shophetim' in Hebrew, which means 'judges, rulers, deliverers, or saviors) is actually all about.
However, there are also some great principles you can learn from this book. Let's now study the lives of Othniel & Ehud, the first two 'judges' in this book.
Note: Every name and object in the Old Testament has its meaning and significance. This is how you interpret the Old Testament for New Testament times. These names or objects are actually 'pictures', 'typologies', and 'shadows of the things to come', symbolic rather than literal. A bible scholar used to say it very aptly, "The New is in the Old concealed, and the Old is in the New revealed".
Othniel:
In Judges 1:11-12, God's people was about to go against the inhabitants of Debir (formerly named 'Kirjath Sepher') when Caleb said, "Whoever attacks Kirjath Sepher and takes it, to him I will give my daughter Achsah as wife", and that's when Othniel rose to the occasion. The word 'Debir' in Hebrew means 'oracle, or spoken words', while 'Kirjath Sepher' means 'City of the Book'. Prior to this, the enemy has inhabited this city, and now, God's people was to claim this city for their possession. The above is a 'picture' of God's Word being robbed of (or stolen from) some of the believers' lives today. The enemy ('picture' of the devil) has even stopped some of God's people from speaking the Word, and that's why many are not living in the fullness of their 'inheritance' in Christ today! Instead of declaring, believing, and receiving what God has spoken about them, they chose to listen to what the 'enemy' or 'circumstances' say about them! This eventually spells the defeat in many believers' lives. So, that's when God raised up Othniel. The word 'Othniel' means 'lion of God, or might of God' in Hebrew, and this 'lion of God' has prevailed and claimed the 'city of the Book'! Whenever you open the Bible, read it, and declare God's promises for your life again, you have also become the 'lion' that prevails over the enemy! Jesus is THE Lion of Judah, and you are His 'lions'! In Judges 3:7-11, notice this same 'lion of God', Othniel also prevailed over Cushan-Rishathaim, the king of Mesopotamia (who had oppressed Israel for 8 years). The name 'Cushan-Rishathaim' in Hebrew means 'double wickedness of darkness', and as a result of Othniel's victory over this 'enemy', God's people had rest for 40 years, much longer than those years of oppression. Now, it is the same for you today. The moment you begin declaring and speaking God's Word aloud into your circumstances, all the 'double wickedness of darkness' surrounding you will have to flee! Hallelujah!
Ehud:
In Judges 3:12-30, watch again the power of God's Word. This time, God raised up Ehud among the children of Israel. 'Ehud' in Hebrew means 'joined together (to the Lord), or partner together (with the Lord)'. As believers, you too are the 'Ehuds' of today. See 1 Corinthians 6:17. By the time God raised up Ehud, Eglon (means 'fat, round, bull' in Hebrew), the king of Moab, had oppressed the children of Israel for 18 years. In short, Israel was already in bondage for 18 years by then (cross-refer Luke 13:11). But God was about to set them free! Ehud then made himself a double-edged dagger (Judges 3:16). This is a 'picture' of God's Word (see Hebrews 4:12 & Ephesians 6:17). 'Joined together' to the Lord, Ehud then went to Eglon and said, "I have a message from God for you" (Judges 3:20-21), and he reached with his left hand, took the dagger, and thrust it into Eglon's belly. Wow! It was really an example of 'taking the bull by its horn'! And the rest was history. Read Judges 3:22-30 for details. Victory was declared, Moab was later subdued under the hand of Israel, and the land had rest for 80 years! 18 years of bondage, but 80 years of rest! God's mercy always outweighs God's judgment! Hallelujah! One thing to note is Ehud was actually naturally weak (he was left handed), and especially so, he was also in the tribe of Benjamin (literally means 'sons of the right hand'). In those days, left-handed people were considered weaker (but of course, not at all in our modern days when many champions in sports today are actually left-handed). So, he was like the 'weakling' in his tribe. But, the one thing that made the difference was he 'joined together' to the Lord and he had the 'Sword of the Spirit', which is the Word of God! The 'enemy' wasn't afraid of him actually, but he was defeated by the 'double-edged dagger' in his hand, i.e. the Word of God!
People of God, have there been any 'curse' words spoken against you recently (or even in your younger days) that still affect you? Have you been a subject of certain evil 'chantings' against you or your loved ones? Or you seem to be 'under attack' in some areas of your life recently, yet not knowing why. Someone even told me recently that she has been a subject of certain 'curse words' spoken against her through some demonic 'fortune-telling' she has never asked for. Whatever it is, and despite those circumstances, begin to wield your 'Sword of the Spirit' again! Yes, like Ehud did! You may say, "But I'm so weak! What can I do?" But, so was Ehud. When you are 'joined to the Lord', though you may be weak in the natural, but HE IS STRONG! His Word is strong! Heaven and earth may pass away, but HIS WORD still remains! The Bible says so! The 'enemy' may not be afraid of you, but he's very afraid of the Word! So, just as Ehud was in his days when he said to the 'enemy': "I have a message from God for you", do you also have a 'message from God' for the 'enemy' today? Yes, you do! Even Jesus Himself used this 'Sword of the Spirit' when He was tempted by the 'enemy'! He said, "It is written..." (see Matthew 4) He has showed us the way! After all, HE IS THE WORD! (John 1:1)
Therefore, speak God's Word instead, and not what people say, or circumstances say. Declare God's Word out aloud! Personalize all the promises of God for yourself! As you say what God says, these words will 'expose' the works of the 'enemy', just as the dagger 'exposed' the dirt in Eglon's belly! The 'enemy' will have no way but to be floored! See, he is only like the roaring lion, not the real thing! The real lion is the Lion of Judah, YHWH Himself, and He is already in you. So, not only are you the Ehuds of today, you are also the Othniels of today, the 'lions' who prevail over whatever forces of darkness that comes your way!
So, if there's a certain spirit of fear that comes against you, speak forth God's promises for you in the Word, for example: "For God has not given me the spirit of fear, but He has given me the Spirit of power and of love and of a sound mind". (2 Timothy 1:7) Whatever that comes against you (whether it's sickness, financial problem, marriage problem, oppression, etc) the WORD has the ANSWER. Claim it! Believe it! Declare it! Receive it! And you'll be the Othniels and the Ehuds of today! Amen!
