Abimelech is gone, but the people are weary from the disastrous upheaval he caused in the heartland of ancient Israel. The twelve-tribe alliance is on the verge of falling apart. Most no longer even call Yahweh their God. Things look grim despite there being no immediate outside threat. Here comes the judge Tola (translation: worm). Who was he? What do we know?
After the time of Abimelech, a man of Issachar, Tola son of Puah, the son of Dodo, rose up to save Israel. He lived in Shamir [translation: hard stone], in the hill country of Ephraim. Tola judged [presided, sat over] Israel twenty-three years, and when he died, he was buried in Shamir (Jdg 10:1–2).
We don’t know much; nothing outside of the above two verses. It is interesting that he is from the tribe of Issachar, but moved to somewhere within the mountainous Ephraim region. Why? Perhaps to offer his help. He saved Israel. How? Most scholars think that he managed to restore peace after the time of violent turbulence. His judgeship seems to resemble that of Deborah of an earlier episode. He was the opposite of the tyrant, Abimelech. His rule was by reputation, not by force. No dramatic battles, no needed divine interventions. One could say that even during the worst of times, God preserves a remnant. But where are the Levites? They are nowhere.
After Tola, four minor judges are mentioned, one before the next major crisis and three after. We hear nothing from Yahweh and none of these judges were said to be empowered by the Spirit. They were not deliverers. It is as if Yahweh became weary of dealing with this stubborn collection of idolatrous tribes. One suspects that the apostacy continued unabated.
The main thing we know about these four judges is that they were super rich local chieftains with lots of wives and offspring. Were they men of character? We don’t know, but probably not. It appears that the narrator of Judges intended to present two interim periods of stability. They were times of peace, prosperity, and renewed interclan alliances. Nothing is said concerning how the average person lived.
Jair ruled from a mountainous area east of Jordan. Ibzan was from Betlehem, not where Jesus was born, but a town far north in the land of Zebulun (Josh 19:15). Elon was also from Zebulun. Finally, during Abdon’s time, rule returned to Ephraim, a few miles from Shechem.
It is unlikely that these were the only judges of the time. They were specifically chosen by the narrator to illustrate how things were going after the evil Abimelech, and then after the deliverance by Jephthah. We might say that they were the silent years. Yahweh and Israel tired of each other and an uneasy truce covered the land. The narrative imbues with tension. The peace is temporary; it cannot last.
Application
Wealth does not necessarily equate to blessing. It doesn’t lead us closer to the creator; in many cases it rather leads to feelings of self-sufficiency and arrogance. Sometimes material blessings can even signal that God’s presence has left. Although these judges (besides Tola) governed during periods of peace and prosperity, they did little or nothing that was notable or worth remembering.
America is the arguably the wealthiest nation that the world has ever encountered. Yet, depression and suicide are at all time highs. Dependence on God is declining each year. We are witnessing rapid cultural shifts that would have been unimaginable even a few decades ago. What lies just beyond the horizon that we don’t see? Are we as a nation prepared? I wonder.
A verse that comes to mind is:
There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death (Prov 14:12; 16:25).
Thanks for listening.
References
Barry G. Webb, The Book of Judges: New International Commentary on the Old Testament , Eerdmans (2012), 297–299, 343–346.
Daniel I. Block, The New American Commentary: Judges, Ruth , B & H Publishing (1999), 336–340, 388–391.
John H. Walton, Zondervan Illustrated Bible Background Commentary& Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel , Zondervan (2009), 175–176, 184–185.
Dan Harvey, author of Wrestling with Faith and Experiencing the Apocalypse ,
secondlooknow.com
You have prepared a meaning–Full article…re the responses and reactions of many people including the leaders discussed in the book of Judges.
And the separation of leaders towards their towns folks and towards each other.
I “see” the possibility of depression and of the words of Proverbs 14:12 and 16:25. the words of “warning”words of “self dependence” leading to uselessness….! This could be an important note of wisdom that we-all should watchout for……. May GOD have mercy on us; and may we as Believers be watchful to read and listen to the wisdom pf Holy Spirit.
Thanks for your article!
VivHarvey