Interesting names, aren't they? I'm reading in Judges and ran across Tola and Jair today, judges in Israel. They come after Gideon, the story of whose deeds reads like an amazing adventure story (Judges 6-8...read it yourself!). Gideon would be a hard act to follow and chapter 10 starts with Tola and Jair, about whom Keil and Delitzsch make the rather stinging comment, "Of these two judges no particular deeds are mentioned, no doubt because they performed none." Ouch.
But then the commentary goes on to elaborate and that's where I found some comfort and encouragement for myself today. "Tola rose up as the deliverer of Israel, even supposing that he simply regulated the affairs of the tribes who acknowledged him as their supreme judge, and succeeded by his efforts in preventing the nation from falling back into idolatry, and thus guarded Israel from any fresh oppression on the part of hostile nations."
Keeping Israel from falling back into idolatry, while it may not qualify as a deed of valor, certainly was an enormous accomplishment, especially when you consider how quickly Israel's heart reverted to idolatry. And in this I find an example to follow - to be faithful in encouraging others to follow the Lord with their whole heart. It may not be the "conquering nations" kind of feat. But helping Jesus conquer even one heart and keep it from idolatry is a worthy endeavor.
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