Suggested Bible Reading: Judges 10-12
Devotional Thought:
Title: “The Key Ingredient in Leadership is Humility!”
Campbell Morgan writes, “God’s ‘afters’ are worth the waiting for. However dark the ‘now’ is, there will be light enough in God’s ‘after’ to explain the darkness.” This is the context of chapter ten following the disappointments and darkness of chapter nine. Two seemingly insignificant judges rose up following the death of Abimelech. The record of their involvement in the course of Israel’s history covers merely five verses. Some commentators have been dismissive of their contributions by referring to them as “minor judges.” However, to treat Tola and Jair in this manner is to do them a major injustice. The very fact that their service spanned forty-five years is enough to raise them above the level of being termed, “minor men of God.” No service for the Lord, how ever small it might appear to be, should be devalued or dishonored by referring to it as “minor.” These two arrived on the scene immediately “after Abimelech” (vs. 1) and addressed the void left by his wickedness. They brought back peace and security for the children of Israel following those turbulent days. The record of their lives may be brief, but their contributions were immense. Indeed, they are unique in the record of the judges in that the familiar pattern of deliverance by a judge, followed by the people doing evil again before the next judge arose, was broken. Tola and Jair maintained the stability and peace for forty-five continuous years, which bears testimony to the positive impact they made. Idolatry did not raise its head again until after they had both died (vs. 6); this suggests that they were successful in keeping the people’s eyes focused upon the One true God. It is my desire, as pastor of Faith Baptist Church, to motivate each person to keep their focus solely upon the person, purposes, and plan of the One true God! Tola’s leadership was characterized by his humility. It was absolutely vital that the next leader be “clothed with humility” in following the arrogant and proud Abimelech. It was only a man with a gentle and lowly nature who would be able to heal the deep wounds inflicted by this ruthless dictator and the men of Shechem. As such, Tola points to the Lord Jesus, whose character is seen in the passage “…and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Phil 2:8) However, in contrast, only one thing is recorded of Jair: “…he had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass colts, and they had thirty cities, which are called Havoth-jair unto this day, which are in the land of Gilead.” (vs. 4) The sons’ possession of thirty cities and thirty colts suggests that the family was rich and influential. However, this wealth did not hinder Jair from serving the Lord by judging Israel for twenty-two years (vs. 3) The little that is said of him suggests that his leadership was marked by harmonious relationships.
Personal Prayer Requests:
- Lord, please help me to be an example of in leadership of humility. Please help me to demonstrate the humility of Tola.
- Lord, please help me to never think of myself more highly than I ought to think, but to always model the humility of Christ.
- Lord, please help me to motivate my family, church, and friends to focus their eyes solely upon your holy character and desire to grow in their love for you.