Question:-

Write a paper of the characters in the Book of Judges. Examine the strengths and weaknesses of the character.

Answer:-

The Book of Judges is the seventh book of the Christian Old Testament. The book predominantly covers the time taken in between the conquest as described by Joshua and the resulting establishment of a kingdom as mentioned by Samuel at that time when the other Biblical judges served as temporary leaders. The book follows a consistent pattern. Many scholars have said that the ‘Book of Judges’ is the oldest in the Deuteronomistic history dating back to the 8th century BCE. The book highlights the position of the Israelites in the land that had been promised to them by God (Boling, 1885). The story explains the regaining of peace by Israelis and Israelis will do the right things once peace is achieved. It has a reference to Joshua’s death.

The Book of Judges focuses on the account of six major judges and their related struggles against the activities of the oppressive kings of the surrounding nations. In the remaining report, we will focus on the character of Othniel, one such judge mentioned in the book. Othniel (3:9-11) vs. Chusan-Rishathaim and the King of Aram in which Israel has along 40 years of maintaining peace until the death of the character of Othniel (Boling, 1885). Israel’s retention of peace after Othniel is a recurrent theme throughout the book. The etymology of the name of Othniel is uncertain but in the context of the book means all strength lies in God or the meaning that says God helps everyone. The character of Othniel in the book is referred to as the son of Kenaz, brother of Caleb.

Discussion

According to the account given in the ‘Book Of Judges’, it is evident that after some time of Joshua’s death, the Israelis turned to commit sin under the subjection of the character who played the King of Aramnaharaim in Mesopotamia. The subjection has the root cause of the transgressions activity against God. When the people cried to God out because of the tyrannical rule of Aramnaharaim king, Othniel rises to the scene as their main deliverer (Boling, 1885). Othniel acts as the only judge who was connected with the Judah tribe. Under Othniel, peace was restored in the region for the following years. After 40 years of Othniel rising into the scene Israel was again subjected to the oppression of Eglon and under the king of Moab who later defeated Israel with the help of both Ammon and Amalek.

In most parts of the book and its story, other judges along with Othniel have displayed the main qualities of being the leader, so that they are able to rally with the other people in fighting the war against enemies. Othniel with the other judges in the entire plot seemed to instill a sense of confidence into their followers so that they can effectively lead the other people to help the followers are well placed in the battle and against insuperable odds but without any dissension or the absence of desire that are expressed by the warriors. This quality is considered as important to recognize the wants of God and the need for positive leadership at times of severe crisis (Boling, 1885).

The character of Othniel as a man is seen throughout the entire story getting linked to Hebron with the help of Caleb who was his father-in-law (Hebron) in the entire plot. The relationship between these two characters suggests the communication that is fostered between God and men. The criteria of power and its effective utilization lie within this communication with God. Most importantly, the believer and the propagator base their ideologies on the true teachings of Jesus.

Strengths of the Character

The character of Othniel is the most prominent and is standing out among the characters of the other judges in the book because of his capability, courage, and commitment as he rose to the call of God and the resultant deliverance in their own way. His character is significant in terms of the fact that he marks the coming of the Holy Spirit of God into a man for the first time. He marked the deliverance by God’s hand rather than just accomplishing in them. It is remarkable and important at the same time to note that Othniel marked the first advent of the Holy Spirit of God coming on a man. The circumstances give the opportunity to consider the appropriate exercise that must be accompanied by the actions taken by a man. The character of Othniel symbolizes the availability of the Holy Spirit in order to provide proper strength and resources that are needed for the ultimate victory. The character of Othniel depicts the need of such men in modern times to save the people from the crisis. Othniel had to overcome the Abaki in order to make the city possessed by love. God has always developed the leader by different acts and showing a degree of obedience prior to the thrust put on larger spheres of life.

The character of Othniel resembles a string believer or a person who has all the abilities to overcome different obstacles through the entire Christian experience and by maintaining the right condition of love with Christ. Several scholars have suggested that Othniel was an old aged man along with high levels of maturity in the development and the process of getting proved in both life and service. In the book, Othniel is linked with a pure wife who was known for her spiritual exercise. Othniel is the link created by God to create a sense of value among the people through the words spoken by God. It expressed the feeling of being precious in any man and woman among the section of God’s people.

Othniel contributes to combating the false interpretations of his teachings among the people. Othniel, therefore, expressed the significance of eternal sonship and truth in the gospel along with the different expanse of the doctrines that are related to salvation along with the vital truths that are essential for the continuation of the testimony among the Christians. The significance of the character of Othniel can be linked with the encouragement by Christ to his people during the period of persecution that is represented by Smyma. The character of Othniel acted as a reminder through this book of the faithfulness of God in strengthening the faith between God and the common man. It was during this time of crisis and that God’s words could express both the sense of power and reality for ministering strength to those people who are experiencing the pressures placed upon the people at times of crisis. A reasonable word is needed to lift the hearts of people and to redirect their thoughts in order to regain full confidence in thoughts and actions and express the certainty of power possessed by God that has strong effectiveness in the lives of people.

After reading his character, it is evident the men at the time of crisis were thankful for sending a man like Othniel in their lives and he has highlighted the need for similar such men in today’s world too. Both he and his wife have prayed to God to enhance the fruitfulness of their land or for the conquest of the great enemy of all the people. Forty years of peace after Othniel indicates complete testing in testing the responsibility appropriately. There is always a sense of responsibility for the significance of the complete testing tool. Othniel proved that true men are the ones who defended the sumbolit8c deity of Jesus Christ and believed in his eternal presence.

After reading about the character of Othniel in the book, we can say that the strength of this character was in his good position expressed in his being the real man of God. Othniel was the son of Judah who was blessed by Jacob. His position made him fight in order to secure the