JUDGE TOLA & JAIR

0. Introduction 

a) The Israelites began a series of cycles of sinning, worshiping idols, being punished, crying out for help, being rescued by a judge sent from God, obeying God for a while, then falling back into idolatry. They were conquered by Syria, Moab, Canaan, Midian, Ammon, and Philistia. They even faced the threat of civil war. Just as God sent help to the people when they cried out to him, he will deliver us when we call on him.

b) Judge Tola
(Text: Judges 10:1-2; Years of judging: 23)

i) After the time of Abimelek, a man of Issachar named Tola son of Puah, the son of Dodo, rose to save Israel. He lived in Shamir, in the hill country of Ephraim. ² He led Israel twenty-three years; then he died, and was buried in Shamir. (Judges 10:1-2 NIV)

c) Judge Jair
(Text Judges 10:2-5; Years of judging: 22)

i) ³ He was followed by Jair of Gilead, who led Israel twenty-two years. ⁴ He had thirty sons, who rode thirty donkeys. They controlled thirty towns in Gilead, which to this day are called Havvoth Jair. ⁵ When Jair died, he was buried in Kamon. (Judges 10:3-5 NIV)

1. What is the text all about?

a) In 5 years we read about 2 men who judged Israel for a total of 45 years, yet we know about them besides the length of their rules is that one had 30 sons who rode around on 30 donkeys. What are you doing for God that is worth nothing? When your life is over, will people remember more than just what was in your bank account or the number of years you lived?

2. Memorable act (s)

a) Judge Tola judged Israel for 23 years.

b) Judge Jair ruled Israel for 22 years. He had 30 sons.