Forty Years of Rest - Judges 3:11

In the book of Judges we learned, “when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother. And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the LORD delivered Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushanrishathaim”, and in chapter three and verse eleven of Judges, we learn how, “the land had rest forty years” where we read,

And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died.

The verse reads, “And the land had rest forty years.” The writer began with the words, “and the land” which means “and the territory, district and region” “had rest” or “was quiet, tranquil and at peace” “forty years” which means “for forty annual sets of days”. The writer shared how the territory of “Israel” was at peace for “forty years” length of time.

The verse goes on to say, “And Othniel the son of Kenaz died.” The writer continued with the words, “and Othniel” whose name means ‘lion of God’ and was the younger brother of Caleb, and husband of Achsah the daughter of Caleb and his own niece; first judge of Israel, who after the death of Joshua, delivered the Israelites from the oppression of Chushanrishathaim” “the son of Kenaz” or “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Kenaz whose name means ‘hunter’ and was a brother of Caleb and father of Othniel” “died” which means “took his last breath, became inanimate and expired”. The writer shared how Jehovah God’s judge of Israel “Othniel” breathed his last breath and expired.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how the territory of the people of “Israel” was tranquil and at peace for “forty years” length of time, and afterward, “Othniel” expired. God used “Othniel” to rescue “Israel”, and when he died, his mission was over. In a similar manner, God wants to have a personal relationship with us through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we yield to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and give us the ability to perform our mission in His Kingdom until He calls us to be with Him in Heaven. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; 2 Timothy 4:7,8) 

Next time we learn how, “the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".