Othniel - A Type of Christ

There is a saying that goes like this, “the Old Testament is the New Testament concealed and the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed.” As we study the stories of the OT, we can see glimpses of the Christ who would come in the NT. Jesus often taught His disciples that the OT ultimately pointed to Himself (Luke 24:27, John 5:39). One of the most insightful ways to study the OT is prophetically – that is, looking for the ways in which the people and events model and foreshadow Christ. The technical word for these parallels are called types. 

The book of Judges is interesting in this regard, because the heroes who deliver Israel from her oppressors are intended to model the ultimate deliverer who was to come – Jesus Christ.

The first judge that we read about is a man named Othniel. His story is told in two passages Judges 1:12-15 and 3:7-11. Othniel’s name means “Lion of God” and he was from the tribe Judah, which is fitting since the lion was this tribe’s mascot (Gen. 49:9). The Bible tells us that Othniel was related to another hero, Caleb, who one of the twelve spies sent in secretly by Joshua to spy out the Promised Land before Israel crossed over the Jordan to conquer it (Num. 13; Jud. 1:13). As a young man, Othniel made a name for himself by conquering the city of Kirjath Sepher, which came with a quite a prize. Caleb promised the hand of his daughter, Achsah, to the man who could oust the wicked Canaanites, which Othniel accomplished. Not only did Othniel get the bride, but part of her dowry included land with deep springs of water (a highly coveted commodity in the deserts of Israel).

Later in his life as a seasoned warrior, God called upon Othniel to deliver the Israelites from the oppressive hand of a Mesopotamian King named Cushan-Rishathaim. For 8 long and painful years this despot had enslaved God’s people. Even though Othniel was just one man, the Bible says that he was supernaturally anointed by the Spirit of God to drive out the enemy (Jud. 3:10). Othniel’s amazing deliverance brought about a long-lasting peace to Israel for 40 years.

When you assemble all those facts about Othniel you can begin to see a sketch of Jesus and His saving work emerge. Notice the parallels.

• Othniel, from the tribe of Judah, was “the Lion of God.” Jesus traced his lineage from the tribe of Judah and is called “The Lion of the Tribe of Judah” (Rev. 5:5).

• Othniel won his bride by conquering in battle. Likewise, Jesus won His Bride – the church – in a battle on the cross where He gave His life (Eph. 5:25).

• Othniel’s victory also secured valuable springs. Just so, Jesus gives to His Bride “rivers of living water” that flow from the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit (John 7:37-39).

• Othniel was anointed by the Holy Spirit to lead God’s people to victory. At his baptism, Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit to proclaim good news to the poor, give sight to the blind and to set at liberty those who are oppressed (Matt. 3:16; Luke 4:16-19).

• Othniel’s final conquest delivered Israel from a tyrant and brought about decades of peace. Likewise, we look forward to Jesus’ final conquest when He returns to earth to vanquish Satan and all evil, thus ushering 1,000 years of perfect peace and the glory of eternity (Is. 9:7).  -DM