ODJ: zero hero


March 25, 2013 

READ: Judges 3:1-11 


The Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he became Israel’s judge (v.10).


Birds of a feather flock together.” I’m not sure about that famous phrase. For throughout my student years I hung out with bright and beautiful people. But I don’t think I’m either. In fact I’ve often thought: if I could be as talented or as charming as so-and-so, I would be able to draw so many people to Jesus.

When we read the book of Judges, it’s like reading a Marvel comic book of superheroes. We find people like Samson the strong man and Deborah the prophetess. In the line of judges (or deliverers), however, is a hero with near-zero information. His name is Othniel.

When we read his account in Judges 3:1-11, it’s written in a cut and dried reporting style. No drama. No display of prowess.

Bible teacher Paul Baxendale comments: “There is nothing but the bare essentials in his account. Hardly anything about Othniel. What you do have is what the Lord has done and what the Lord is doing. The Othniel account helps us to see what is most important—the activity of God. Interesting folk can sometimes obscure that. We end up concentrating on these fascinating characters and we fail to see what the Lord is doing.”


Similarly we must recognise that there is no such thing as a strong Christian—only submissive ones in whose lives God reveals His strength. In 2 Chronicles 16:9 we read, “The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.”

When others look at our life it’s more important that they see God and praise Him rather than us. Let our prayer be: “May the Word of God dwell richly in my heart from hour to hour, so that all may see that I triumph only through Your power.” —Poh Fang Chia


1 Samuel 14:1-23 ‹