Major Lessons From the "Minor Judges"
Shamgar, Tola, Jair, Ibzan, Elon, Abdon
(Judges 3:31; 10:1-5; 12:8-15)
By Craig Meyer
This lesson focuses on six men--six buried men. They are all buried in graves and tombs
throughout the land of Israel. They are also "buried" in the Old Testament,
specifically in the book of Judges. Sadly, these six men have been consigned to obscurity.
Yet they are real men of Hebrew history, men chosen by God in His unfolding scheme of
redemption. Of course, I speak of the "minor judges" Shamgar, Tola, Jair, Ibzan,
Elon, and Abdon.
It is true that there is little preserved of them in Scripture. When compared to such
giants as Deborah, Gideon, Jephthah, and Samson, they do at first glance appear to be
insignificant. Yet I am persuaded that we can learn some "major lessons" from
these "minor judges." (see note 1)
Consider Shamgar. He battled the Philistines with an ox goad. It is very likely that he
was just a poor farmer (i.e., a peasant).
Consider Jair. It is evident that he was a man of great wealth and authority. Jair had
30 sons. Each son had an "ass colt" or "donkey" (a sign of wealth and
status back then) and each son was assigned his own city. (How would you like to have your
own city? How would you like to be related to the one who gave you that city?) Still, the
author of Judges notes that these 30 cities were known as "Havoth-jair"
(literally, "The Towns of Jair") "unto this day." It is one thing to
have a town named after you. It is quite another thing for a whole group of towns to be
named after you...and for the name to "stick"!
Consider Ibzan. He had 60 children (30 sons and 30 daughters)! Apparently, he was
wealthy enough to arrange marriages from abroad for his sons and to send his daughters
abroad for their marriages. (Whether this was in or out of Israel is
unknown.) What is certain is that he, like Jair, was rich and influential.
Consider Abdon. His large family (40 sons and 30 grandsons) implies that he was a man of great wealth and status. His 70 descendants each had an ass colt or donkey (cf. Jair). Since this was an expensive mode of transportation back then, the closest equivalent for today would be for a modern-day Grandfather seeing to it that all his sons and grandsons received a brand-new car! My point is this: Everyone can (and must) serve God. No one is exempt. Whether rich or poor, peasant farmer or wealthy nobleman, these men rendered service that was acceptable and blessed by God. They understood that their talents and possessions ultimately belonged to the Lord and were to be used for Him, not self-aggrandizement. (cf. Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:11,17,22-25)
In his book Antiquities of the Jews, the Jewish historian, Josephus, says of Ibzan: "He did nothing in the seven years of his administration that was worth recording, or deserved a memorial." Of Elon, Josephus says: "Neither did Helon...do anything remarkable." Of Abdon, he writes: "He is only recorded to have been happy in his children; for the public affairs were then so peaceable, and in such security, that neither did he perform any glorious action...he died an old man, and obtained a magnificent burial."
Rather than looking to ourselves and asking to be excused (cf. Lk. 14:18ff), we need to
look to God and get to work. "But I'm just a nobody..." sounds a lot like the
feeble excuse of Moses (cf. Exod. 3:11). God didn't accept that excuse then and He will
not accept it today. (see note 2)
This excuse "But I'm just a nobody..." could have been used by the any one of the minor judges--even the apostle Paul himself (cf. 1 Cor. 15:9-10; Eph. 3:8; 2 Cor. 12:11)--but they all determined to serve God in their generation. (see note 3)
Shamgar was probably a contemporary of Jael and is mentioned in Deborah's victory song
(Jgs. 5:6). The fact that she mentions him indicates that he was held in high esteem in
the land. His war instrument was an ox goad. This was a farming tool! Generally, it
was about eight feet long with a sharp metal spike at one end to prod animals to work.
Shamgar used this humble agricultural implement in battle against Philistia. (see note 4)
As we consider Shamgar and his humble weapon, let us allow the lesson of his ox-goad to "prod" us to acknowledge the fact that there is room in God's kingdom for the "small things" that we can do (Lk. 16:10; cf. Matt. 25:21). Sometimes, we may feel that unless we hear the blowing of trumpet fanfares and the cheering of crowds, then we are unworthy to even get started. Yet, at the end of time, when every account is rendered, we may very well find that the greatest deeds were done quietly and unassumingly, far distant from the limelight (cf. the lesson of the widow's two mites in Lk. 21:1-4). Moses' rod (Exod. 4:1-5) was a simple shepherd's tool, but what great things God accomplished through it! "What is that in thine hand?"
"It isn't what you'd do tomorrow
If a million should be your lot;
But what you're doing now
With the dollar and quarter you've got!"
Tola, we are told, was of the tribe of Issachar. He "arose" to defend
(literally, "save") Israel. He was a volunteer who offered his leadership
talents in willing service. It appears that Tola did not wait to be sought out by his
fellow Israelites. Neither did he wait for them to throng around him and beg him to do
what was necessary. Tola saw the need; he arose; he saved Israel. What a champion!
Shamgar faced 600 armed pagan soldiers with a lowly farm tool. His bravery and courage
are obvious.
We need more people like Tola and Shamgar. We need more who will ARISE and
FIGHT...voluntarily (cf. Jude 3). Remember, there are no draftees in the church (Psa.
110:3, NASV; see footnote). From Pentecost till the return of Christ, people continue to
"volunteer freely" and present themselves as free-will offerings before God
(Rom. 12:1-2). Is your service forced and begrudged? Or is it what it ought
to be: voluntary?
It is not always popular to stand against ungodliness. In fact, it is frequently very
tempting to "go with the flow" and look for the easy way out. However, "The
easy way is rarely the right way." We must be constant and true in our service to God
and refuse to waver in our convictions (cf. 2 Tim. 1:7-8a; 1 Cor. 16:13). Is your service timid
and hesitant? Or is it what it ought to be: courageous?
If your spiritual service to God is truly voluntary and courageous, then you are
imitating the examples of the minor judges!
It is interesting to note what did not occur during the respective administrations of the minor judges. There were no great invasions or mass oppression from infidelic forces. Neither were there any civil wars brewing or igniting. The land was at peace. Tola judged in peace for 23 years; Jair, 22; Elon, 10; Abdon, 8; Ibzan, 7. (The length of Shamgar's judgeship is unknown--although Josephus speculates that he died during his first year as judge).
A "hero" is "a man admired for his achievements and noble qualities." How can these six men be considered "heroes," you ask? Any time a man performs regular, routine, even ordinary service unto God--voluntarily and without complaint--such a man should be admired and praised! These six men kept the peace and kept the faith in their time. They exerted a positive influence on those around them. Is there nothing noble about that? Is there nothing admirable--even heroic--in stemming the tide of sin and apostas
y in one's own time? Is there nothing honorable in being a part of the very oracles of God? (cf. 2 Tim. 3:16-17)
Read 1 Cor. 15:58 and Gal. 6:9, then consider this: Is it possible that the taproot of much of our discouragement lies in the fact that we feel our service in the Lord's vineyard is regular, routine, and ordinary?
At least five major lessons can be learned at the feet of these six "minor
glamorous exploits of the "Major Judges," but Shamgar, Tola, Jair, Ibzan, Elon,
Abdon are preserved in Scripture for a reason. These six ordinary, obscure men are like
Abel in that they being dead, "yet speak" (cf. Heb. 11:4). They "tell"
us that it is not necessary that our service be recognized and awarded by men; if God
takes note and is pleased, it is enough! The world may look upon our lives and snort in
disgust--using the phraseology of Josephus: he did "nothing remarkable"; she did
"nothing worthy of memorial" --but we do not pant after worldly fame and
acclaim. (Gal. 1:10) We live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Matt. 4:4)
and long to hear His thrilling invitation: "Come, inherit My Celestial City."
(cf. Matt. 25:34; Heb. 11:16)
"He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."
End Notes
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