9
1 Now after Abimelech died, Tola the son of Puah, the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar, rose up to save Israel; and he lived in Shamir in the hill country of Ephraim.
2 He judged Israel for twenty-three years. Then he died and was buried in Shamir.
3 After him, Jair the Gileadite rose up and judged Israel for twenty-two years.
4 And he had thirty sons who rode on thirty donkeys, and they had thirty cities in the land of Gilead that are called Havvoth-jair to this day.
5 And Jair died and was buried in Kamon.
Regarding Tola and Jair, there are only brief descriptions, so we cannot determine the details of their activities. However, upon careful reading of today’s passage, we can understand that the emphasis lies in the “time of peace and prosperity.” This stands in stark contrast to the “times of Shamgar and Jael” known as the time of war and distress (Judg. 5:6-10). Let us read today’s passage from such perspective. Tola was the sixth judge. He was a judge who calmed the turmoil that occurred during Abimelech’s time. (1) He was from the tribe of Issachar and lived in the hill country of Ephraim in Shamir. (2) He judged Israel for 23 years. (3) His body was buried in Shamir.
Jair was the seventh judge. (1) He was from the half-tribe of Manasseh. He is the first judge to come from the east side of the Jordan River, from the region of Gilead. This shows that the Lord did not forget the tribes on the east side of the Jordan. (2) He judged Israel for 22 years. (3) He had 30 sons, who rode on 30 donkeys, and possessed 30 cities. Donkeys were the vehicles of nobility, and the judges used them to travel around various places. Jair seems to have been a judge with wealth and power. Tola and Jair did not seek to become kings like Abimelech. They faithfully fulfilled the missions entrusted to them by the Lord and brought a period of prosperity and wealth upon Israel. The period of prosperity and wealth may not be a remarkable time, but it is by no means a bad thing, rather, it should be welcomed. There is a difference between the perspective of man and the perspective of God. Most of our lives consist of unremarkable and ordinary days. Are you thankful for living ordinary days? Blessed is the one who sees the hidden grace of the Lord in the “ordinary” things.
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father, today, I am grateful for being sustained by Your grace. May I be able to discover Your grace in the "ordinary" things. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.