
The opening verses of chapter 10 contain the very brief summary of two minor Judges called Tola and Jair. It provides us with a welcome and much needed interlude. It is a short account, light in tone compared with what has gone before in Judges 9, and acts as a transition between the account of Abimelech and the shocking story of Jephthah that will follow. It gives us some breathing space in a book that is particularly intense and demanding. But as always since this is part of divine scripture and ‘all scripture is useful’ there are lessons for the 21st century disciple of Jesus Christ to learn.
Main Points:
- Tola: A Time For Healing
- Jair: A Time of Prosperity
- Tola & Jair: A Peaceful Interlude
Application Questions & Response:
- Can you think of someone like Tola - a servant of God who helped to bring you peace and healing after a time of upheaval or conflict? What qualities did they possess that made them so effective? Give thanks to God for them.
- Why can a time of prosperity be a dangerous thing for disciples of Jesus Christ? How do we ensure that prosperity does lead us away from our calling to follow Christ?
- Are you getting the opportunity for a welcome interlude this summer? Then thank God for it. But can you think of others who maybe need such an interlude but are not in position at present to get it? Are there things you could do practicality to give them some encouragement and rest?