Heroes: Devotions From Time of Grace MinistrySample

LEADERSHIP: OTHNIEL

The seventh book of the Bible is cursed with a confusing name. Judges sounds like dry reading, like ancient legal briefs or summaries of dusty court cases.

Nothing of the sort. A better title would be "Leaders" or "Champions." These chapters illustrate God's favorite way of bringing about major change in the lives of His people – He sends one person. The book of Judges is all about the power of one.

The first of these judges, or let's call them transformational leaders, is Othniel. His story illustrates the power of just one person to make a huge impact on a whole society. Israel had lost its spiritual moorings and gone after the Canaanite god Baal. God allowed invading bands from nearby Aram to torment them for eight years. They cried out to Him for help. What did He do? He sent one man:

"The Spirit of the LORD came upon him [Othniel], so that he became Israel's judge and went to war. The LORD gave Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram into the hands of Othniel, who overpowered him. So the land had peace for forty years, until Othniel son of Kenaz died" (Judges 3:10-11).

Never say, "I am only one." Never say, "What can just one person do?" Sometimes one is enough.