URC Daily Devotion 29 April 2026

Judges 10:1-5 and 12:7-15 
 
After Abimelech, Tola son of Puah son of Dodo, a man of Issachar, who lived at Shamir in the hill country of Ephraim, rose to deliver Israel.  He judged Israel for twenty-three years. Then he died, and was buried at Shamir. After him came Jair the Gileadite, who judged Israel for twenty-two years. He had thirty sons who rode on thirty donkeys; and they had thirty towns, which are in the land of Gilead, and are called Havvoth-jair to this day.  Jair died, and was buried in Kamon….Jephthah judged Israel for six years. Then Jephthah the Gileadite died, and was buried in his town in Gilead. After him Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel.  He had thirty sons. He gave his thirty daughters in marriage outside his clan and brought in thirty young women from outside for his sons. He judged Israel for seven years. Then Ibzan died, and was buried at Bethlehem. After him Elon the Zebulunite judged Israel; and he judged Israel for ten years. Then Elon the Zebulunite died, and was buried at Aijalon in the land of Zebulun. After him Abdon son of Hillel the Pirathonite judged Israel.  He had forty sons and thirty grandsons, who rode on seventy donkeys; he judged Israel for eight years.  Then Abdon son of Hillel the Pirathonite died, and was buried at Pirathon in the land of Ephraim, in the hill country of the Amalekites.
 
Reflection
 
Today we consider six brief accounts about individuals known as the ‘minor’ judges.  Jephthah’s inclusion (12:7) is surprising since we have just read an extensive narrative about him; whereas we are given minimal information about the others.  This is presented in a formulaic style, similar to the genealogical material in Genesis 5 and that in ancient king lists (e.g. 1 Kgs 14:31; 15:8, 24-25, 33-34; 16:25-28).
 
The accounts purport to be sequential but their geographical diversity suggests otherwise.  Tola, from Issachar, is linked with Shamir (perhaps = Samaria) in Ephraim.  Jair is from Gilead on the opposite side of the Jordan; likewise Jephthah.  Ibzan from Bethlehem in Judah; Elon from Zebulun in the Galilee region; and finally Abdon from Pirathon, in mid Ephraim where Amalekites also resided.
 
These men are portrayed as clan chieftains exercising leadership in local areas; but reference to God is absent from these stories.  No oppression or enemy from whom Israel needs deliverance is mentioned.  The only event of interest that is recorded is intermarriage between clans arranged by Ibzan  Status is measured in terms of the number of offspring and donkeys each judge possessed, or in Jair’s case towns he controlled, with thirty and forty being symbolic numbers; and the length of their rule ranges from 23 years down to 6.  They all appear to have died peacefully in their home town.
 
In the book of Judges these stories function as brief interludes of calm between the downward spiral of deliverer stories which depict a less and less godly society and increasing discord between tribes and nations.
 
Periods of calm are always welcome after times of conflict or chaos in life; but unless we use them in constructive ways, as opportunities to draw closer to God, to seek God’s guidance about the steps to take into the future, then history may consign them to a few insignificant words on a page, like these stories of the minor judges.
 
Prayer
 
Eternal God, conflict and chaos 
are daily realities for many around the globe; 
but we thank you that we live 
in relatively calm times in this land.
 
We thank you for leaders in local communities 
and pray that they may be open 
to your Spirit’s guidance in all they seek to accomplish.
 
Help us to keep Christ at the centre of our living 
and use this age to make a significant difference 
for good to bring nearer your kingdom.  Amen