SPIRIT OF THE LORD

God first introduced Himself as the LORD (Jehovah) in Exod. 6.1-8. There He confirmed the He would give the land of Canaan to the descendants of the patriarchs. They were now in possession of that land, but had embraced idolatry, incurring the discipline of God. The first enemy to enslave them was Chushan- rishathaim, the king of Mesopotamia. This was the very place that Abraham had forsaken, and now they were in bondage to its king! We have to learn that if there is laxity and disobedience, we can become ensnared again by the very things that we left behind at conversion.

Jehovah’s desire for them was the enjoyment of the land that He had promised, and so their cry for mercy was heard. He raised up Othniel, and the Spirit of Jehovah came upon him, giving him the ability to administer the nation, and effect deliverance. ‘Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty’, 2 Cor. 3. 17. Othniel had already proved himself by capturing Kirjath-sepher for Caleb, Judg. 1.12-13. He lived up to his name, the Lion of God. Taking that city, the city of the book, illustrates the desire that young men should have for the word of God. Now the Spirit of the LORD comes upon him. It happened so often like that in the Old Testament. Men like Gideon, Samson, and Saul had similar experiences, as the Spirit empowered them for various tasks.

The Christian’s experience is somewhat different. The Lord Jesus said of the Comforter, ‘he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you’, John 14. 17. Up till then, He did dwell with men, but from Pentecost, He would indwell them. He took up residence within us the moment we believed, Eph. 1. 13. However, the purpose for which He came upon Othniel is still part of His ministry for us. By His guidance, Othniel had the wisdom to judge Israel, and by His power, he won the victory. Similarly, the Spirit is to us ‘the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him’, Eph. 1.17.’He will guide you into all truth’, John 16.13. He is also the One who empowers us to live victoriously, the righteousness of the law being fulfilled, ‘in us who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit’, Rom. 8. 4.