So the land had rest for forty years, until Othniel son of Kenaz died. So the land had restThe phrase "the land had rest" signifies a period of peace and stability in Israel. In the Hebrew context, the word for "rest" is "שָׁקַט" (shaqat), which implies a cessation of conflict and a time of tranquility. This rest is not merely the absence of war but a divine blessing of peace granted by God. Historically, this period of rest followed the deliverance from oppression, highlighting God's faithfulness in responding to the cries of His people. It serves as a reminder of the peace that comes from obedience to God and His commandments. for forty years
The number "forty" is significant in biblical terms, often symbolizing a period of testing, trial, or probation. In this context, the forty years of rest can be seen as a generation's time, allowing the Israelites to experience the fruits of their faithfulness and God's deliverance. This period allowed the nation to rebuild, strengthen, and refocus on their covenant relationship with God. Theologically, it underscores the completeness and sufficiency of God's provision and protection when His people turn back to Him. until Othniel son of Kenaz died
Othniel, the first judge of Israel, was a deliverer raised by God to rescue the Israelites from their oppressors. His lineage as "son of Kenaz" connects him to the tribe of Judah, emphasizing the leadership role of Judah in Israel's history. Othniel's death marks the end of this particular era of peace, suggesting that the spiritual and moral leadership he provided was crucial for maintaining the nation's rest. His life and leadership exemplify the importance of godly leaders in guiding a nation towards righteousness and peace. The transition after his death serves as a reminder of the need for continual reliance on God and the dangers of complacency in spiritual matters. Persons / Places / Events 1. OthnielThe first judge of Israel after the death of Joshua. He was the son of Kenaz and the younger brother of Caleb. Othniel is noted for delivering Israel from the oppression of Cushan-Rishathaim, king of Aram Naharaim. 2. KenazThe father of Othniel and a member of the tribe of Judah. Kenaz's lineage is significant as it connects Othniel to Caleb, a prominent figure in Israel's history. 3. The LandRefers to the land of Israel, which experienced peace and rest during Othniel's judgeship. 4. Forty YearsA period of peace and stability in Israel, symbolizing a generation. The number forty often represents a time of testing or judgment in the Bible. 5. Death of OthnielMarks the end of a period of peace and the beginning of a new cycle of disobedience and oppression for Israel. Teaching Points God's DeliveranceGod raises leaders to deliver His people in times of distress. Othniel's leadership is a reminder of God's faithfulness to provide deliverance. The Importance of ObedienceThe peace experienced during Othniel's judgeship underscores the blessings of obedience to God. When Israel followed God's ways, they enjoyed rest and prosperity. The Cycle of SinThe book of Judges illustrates the repetitive cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. This cycle serves as a warning to remain vigilant in faith and obedience. The Significance of RestThe forty years of rest symbolize a period of divine blessing. It points to the ultimate rest believers find in Christ, encouraging us to seek spiritual rest in Him. Legacy of LeadershipOthniel's life and leadership left a legacy of peace. Our actions and faithfulness can impact future generations, encouraging us to lead lives that honor God. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Othniel's leadership reflect God's provision for His people, and what can we learn from this about God's character? 2. In what ways does the cycle of sin and deliverance in Judges challenge us to examine our own lives and spiritual walk? 3. How can the concept of "rest" in Judges 3:11 be applied to our understanding of spiritual rest in Christ? 4. What lessons can we draw from Othniel's legacy that can be applied to our roles as leaders in our families, churches, or communities? 5. How do the periods of peace and turmoil in Judges relate to the broader account of Israel's history and God's redemptive plan? Connections to Other Scriptures Joshua 15:17Connects to Othniel's earlier exploits and his relationship with Caleb, highlighting his role as a leader and warrior. Judges 2:16-19Provides context for the cyclical pattern of sin, oppression, deliverance, and peace in the time of the judges. Hebrews 4:9-10Discusses the concept of rest, drawing a parallel between the physical rest in the land and the spiritual rest found in Christ. People Amalek, Amalekites, Ammonites, Amorites, Anath, Aram, Canaanites, Chushanrishathaim, Chushan-rishathaim, Eglon, Ehud, Gera, Hittites, Hivite, Hivites, Israelites, Jebusites, Kenaz, Moabites, Othniel, Perizzites, Shamgar, Sidonians, ZidoniansPlaces Canaan, Gilgal, Jordan River, Lebanon, Lebo-hamath, Mesopotamia, Moab, Mount Baal-hermon, SeirahTopics Death, Died, Dieth, Forty, Kenaz, Othniel, Oth'ni-el, Peace, Rest, Resteth, TillDictionary of Bible Themes Judges 3:11 1654 numbers, 11-99
8328 quietness Judges 3:9-11 5358 judges Library Use what You Have
Few people really are and do their best. Nature has blessed a few with great talents and abilities. These persons often become proud, self-centered, and feel themselves to be superior, and for that reason many times they fail to make the proper use of their abilities. How often are they used in a bad or foolish way, so that what might be a blessing to the world fails to be such! There are many others who realize they do not possess these natural gifts. They look upon those who have them, and envy …
Charles Wesley Naylor—Heart TalksGifts and Talents.
"And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him."--Judges iii. 10. We now consider the Holy Spirit's work in bestowing gifts, talents, and abilities upon artisans and professional men. Scripture declares that the special animation and qualification of persons for work assigned to them by God proceed from the Holy Spirit. The construction of the tabernacle required capable workmen, skilful carpenters, goldsmiths, and silversmiths, and masters in the arts of weaving and embroidering. Who will furnish Moses …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit Whether Baptism Should Take Away the Penalties of Sin that Belong to this Life?
Objection 1: It seems that Baptism should take away the penalties of sin that belong to this life. For as the Apostle says (Rom. 5:15), the gift of Christ is farther-reaching than the sin of Adam. But through Adam's sin, as the Apostle says (Rom. 5:12), "death entered into this world," and, consequently, all the other penalties of the present life. Much more, therefore, should man be freed from the penalties of the present life, by the gift of Christ which is received in Baptism. Objection 2: Further, …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica "This Then is the Message which we have Heard of Him, and Declare unto You, that God is Light,"
1 John i. 5.--"This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light," &c. The great design of the gospel is to make up the breach of man's joy, and open up the way to the fulness of it, and therefore it is the good news and glad tidings of great joy, the only best message that ever came to the world. Now it shows unto us the channel that this river of gladness and joy runs into, it discovers what is the way of the conveyance of it to the soul, and what are …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Whether the Old Law Enjoined Fitting Precepts Concerning Rulers?
Objection 1: It would seem that the Old Law made unfitting precepts concerning rulers. Because, as the Philosopher says (Polit. iii, 4), "the ordering of the people depends mostly on the chief ruler." But the Law contains no precept relating to the institution of the chief ruler; and yet we find therein prescriptions concerning the inferior rulers: firstly (Ex. 18:21): "Provide out of all the people wise [Vulg.: 'able'] men," etc.; again (Num. 11:16): "Gather unto Me seventy men of the ancients of …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica The Country of Jericho, and the Situation of the City.
Here we will borrow Josephus' pencil, "Jericho is seated in a plain, yet a certain barren mountain hangs over it, narrow, indeed, but long; for it runs out northward to the country of Scythopolis,--and southward, to the country of Sodom, and the utmost coast of the Asphaltites." Of this mountain mention is made, Joshua 2:22, where the two spies, sent by Joshua, and received by Rahab, are said to "conceal themselves." "Opposite against this, lies a mountain on the other side Jordan, beginning from …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Prophecy of Obadiah.
We need not enter into details regarding the question as to the time when the prophet wrote. By a thorough argumentation, Caspari has proved, that he occupies his right position in the Canon, and hence belongs to the earliest age of written prophecy, i.e., to the time of Jeroboam II. and Uzziah. As bearing conclusively against those who would assign to him a far later date, viz., the time of the exile, there is not only the indirect testimony borne by the place which this prophecy occupies in …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Doctrine of Angels.
I. THEIR EXISTENCE. 1. THE TEACHING OF JESUS. 2. THE TEACHING OF THE APOSTLES. II. THEIR NATURE. 1. CREATED BEINGS. 2. SPIRITUAL BEINGS. 3. GREAT POWER AND MIGHT. 4. VARIOUS GRADES. 5. THE NUMBER OF ANGELS. III. THE FALL OF ANGELS. 1. TIME AND CAUSE. 2. THE WORK OF FALLEN ANGELS. 3. THE JUDGMENT OF FALLEN ANGELS. IV. THE WORK OF ANGELS. 1. THEIR HEAVENLY MINISTRY. 2. THEIR EARTHLY MINISTRY. a) In Relation to the Believer. b) In Relation to Christ's Second Coming. THE DOCTRINE OF ANGELS. We are not …
Rev. William Evans—The Great Doctrines of the Bible Judges
For the understanding of the early history and religion of Israel, the book of Judges, which covers the period from the death of Joshua to the beginning of the struggle with the Philistines, is of inestimable importance; and it is very fortunate that the elements contributed by the later editors are so easily separated from the ancient stories whose moral they seek to point. That moral is most elaborately stated in ii. 6-iii. 6, which is a sort of programme or preface to iii. 7-xvi. 31, which constitutes …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Judges 3:11 NIVJudges 3:11 NLTJudges 3:11 ESVJudges 3:11 NASBJudges 3:11 KJV
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