Judges Tola and Jair
HOR Book 3 Studies • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Scripture reading: Judges 10:1-5.
After Abimelech there arose to save Israel Tola the son of Puah, son of Dodo, a man of Issachar, and he lived at Shamir in the hill country of Ephraim. And he judged Israel twenty-three years. Then he died and was buried at Shamir.
After him arose Jair the Gileadite, who judged Israel twenty-two years. And he had thirty sons who rode on thirty donkeys, and they had thirty cities, called Havvoth-jair to this day, which are in the land of Gilead. And Jair died and was buried in Kamon.
Tola and Jair were active judges during the same time period in different parts of Israel. Tola reigned for 23 years in Ephraim, which was at the West of Canaan bordering the Mediterranean Sea. Jair, on the other hand, reigned for 22 years in Gilead, which across the Jordan River to the East of Canaan.
So they probably would have heard about each other, but they probably didn’t meet each other.
Tola
Tola
After Abimelech there arose to save Israel Tola the son of Puah, son of Dodo, a man of Issachar, and he lived at Shamir in the hill country of Ephraim. And he judged Israel twenty-three years. Then he died and was buried at Shamir.
Tola is a minor judge.
God raised up Tola after the cruel oppression of Abimelech. Tola probably felt righteous indignation because of Abimelech’s tyranny. And God used Tola to save the Israelites.
Tola’s name comes from the word ‘yala’ which means ‘to speak without thinking,’ ‘to speak hastily,’ and ‘to swallow,’ and it means ‘worm’ or ‘maggot.’
Tola (תּוֹלָע) = worm, maggot
Yala (יָלַע) = to speak without thinking, to speak hastily, to swallow.
And what we see is that Tola was born in the land of Issachar, but he served the people in the land of Ephraim for 23 years. But what stands out is that he died there. This tells us that he was so committed to God’s calling even though it took him away from his homeland.
Tola points us to Jesus, who left His Father’s house to come to us. And He came not to be served but to serve, even to the point of death.
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
For us and our salvation, Jesus became even like a worm. The beatings and scourgings by the Roman soldiers made Him unrecognizable as a human being.
Psalm 22:6–8 (ESV)
But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads; “He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!”
Isn’t this what our Lord went through on the cross?
Judge Tola not only died there in the land of Ephraim. He was buried there. Back then and even today, people are buried at the places where they belonged. So it shows us how dedicated Tola was as a judge over the Ephramites. And for us and our salvation, Jesus was laid in a tomb. That’s His dedication. He is the covenant keeper whose loyalty to us endures into eternity.
So what does this have to do with us? Tola’s example is our example today. God has comissioned us to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them, and teaching them to obey all that He has commanded. So let us not grow weary, and let our loyalty never be shaken. But may we be faithful to the mission, even unto death.
Revelation 2:10 (ESV)
Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
God has given us a mission to fulfill His redemptive history. I believe we all have received that calling from Him. So let us be faithful, even unto death. And let us receive the crown of life from our Lord’s hand in the final day.
Jair
Jair
After him arose Jair the Gileadite, who judged Israel twenty-two years. And he had thirty sons who rode on thirty donkeys, and they had thirty cities, called Havvoth-jair to this day, which are in the land of Gilead. And Jair died and was buried in Kamon.
Jair is a minor judge. As we studied previously, Tola and Jair’s reigns probably overlapped with each other since Tola reigned in the west whereas Jair reigned in the east, beyond the Jordan River.
Jair (יָאִיר) = Enlightener, the one who shines light
Light (אוֹר / or)
There was no mention of evil deeds or oppression during the time of Jair, so we can know that his 22-year reign was a time of peace.
This tells us that Jair probably cast away the darkness of sin by teaching the people the Word of God.
Psalm 119:130 (ESV)
The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.
Jair also points us to Jesus, who came as the Light of the world.
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
How was Jesus the Light of the world?
In this context, light is about truth. More precisely, light is about seeing the truth about the way things are. When Jesus declares that He is the light of the world, He’s saying that everyone who rejects Him is choosing to live in willful ignorance. To switch the lights off on purpose, because they look at reality and they don’t like what they see.
Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees in this passage. They saw His miracles and they heard His teachings. And as the religious leaders of the people, they should have been the ones to direct the people to Jesus. But the idea of losing followers was repulsive. It repulsed them so much that they chose to turn the lights off instead. They ignored the truth so they could live however they wanted.
Isn’t this the direction that the world has followed after? So many people have given priority to their feelings instead of the truth. To the point that even politics and sports are affected. They feel a certain way, and they expect reality to bend to their feelings.
In a world where everyone did what was right in their own eyes, Jair unfolded the Word of God and brought light to the Israelites.
In a world full of darkness, Jesus came as the Light of the world and taught the Word of God.
We are now living in a world where everyone does what feels right to them. And Jesus has given us the task, the mission, to be the light of the world.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
So let us shine the light of the Word of God to others. As a church that knows the history of redemption, that’s equipped to teach others the Word of God, let us go forth in the power of the Holy Spirit and shine the light of God’s glory through our words and actions.