When God gives His account of a man's life and work, He records the bad right along with the good. This is one of the peculiarities of the Bible that lends it credibility.
However, the Bible tells very little, good or bad, about the three men who judged after Jephthah. Apparently, they have no tale to tell. How many Christians will have these kinds of little blurbs recorded about their lives and work? How sad to be just a footnote in the annals of God's history.
IBZAN - A Family Man
The Bible says of Ibzan "He had thirty sons, and thirty daughters, whom he sent abroad, and took in thirty daughters from abroad for his sons. And he judged Israel seven years. Then died Ibzan, and was buried at Bethlehem." Judges 12:9-10
J. Vernon McGee says, "Ibzan was a man who gave all of his time to his family. There's nothing wrong with that, but it was not what he was called to do." Still today, many are so focused on family that they neglect to perform God's calling.
ELON - A Heritage Man
The Bible says even less about Elon. "And after him Elon, a Zebulonite, judged Israel; and he judged Israel ten years. And Elon the Zebulonite died, and was buried in Aijalon in the country of Zebulun." Judges 12:11-12
The only thing the Bible really notes about Elon is his tribe - and it's mentioned three times. Perhaps Elon's life was wrapped up in his heritage. One particular friend comes to mind here, because she is so focused in looking back on her heritage that she does nothing of note in the present day.
ABDON - The Properous Man
"And after him Abdon the son of Hillel, a Pirathonite, judged Israel. And he had forty sons and thirty nephews, that rode on threescore and ten ass colts: and he judged Israel eight years. And Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite died, and was buried in Pirathon in the land of Ephraim, in the mount of the Amalekites." Judges 12:13-15
The mention of the multitude of sons, nephews, and donkeys leaves the impression that Abdon was a properous man who made sure that his sons and their cousins rode around in real style. We see many Christians today who do little in the Lord's work because they are focused on amassing wealth to provide all the latest toys and gadgets to their family.
These three judges have no tale to tell. What kind of tale is God recording of my life? What kind of material does God have to work with in the way I'm living my life? Will God be able to write a tale about the great things He accomplished through such a flawed but willing servant?
However, the Bible tells very little, good or bad, about the three men who judged after Jephthah. Apparently, they have no tale to tell. How many Christians will have these kinds of little blurbs recorded about their lives and work? How sad to be just a footnote in the annals of God's history.
IBZAN - A Family Man
The Bible says of Ibzan "He had thirty sons, and thirty daughters, whom he sent abroad, and took in thirty daughters from abroad for his sons. And he judged Israel seven years. Then died Ibzan, and was buried at Bethlehem." Judges 12:9-10
J. Vernon McGee says, "Ibzan was a man who gave all of his time to his family. There's nothing wrong with that, but it was not what he was called to do." Still today, many are so focused on family that they neglect to perform God's calling.
ELON - A Heritage Man
The Bible says even less about Elon. "And after him Elon, a Zebulonite, judged Israel; and he judged Israel ten years. And Elon the Zebulonite died, and was buried in Aijalon in the country of Zebulun." Judges 12:11-12
The only thing the Bible really notes about Elon is his tribe - and it's mentioned three times. Perhaps Elon's life was wrapped up in his heritage. One particular friend comes to mind here, because she is so focused in looking back on her heritage that she does nothing of note in the present day.
ABDON - The Properous Man
"And after him Abdon the son of Hillel, a Pirathonite, judged Israel. And he had forty sons and thirty nephews, that rode on threescore and ten ass colts: and he judged Israel eight years. And Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite died, and was buried in Pirathon in the land of Ephraim, in the mount of the Amalekites." Judges 12:13-15
The mention of the multitude of sons, nephews, and donkeys leaves the impression that Abdon was a properous man who made sure that his sons and their cousins rode around in real style. We see many Christians today who do little in the Lord's work because they are focused on amassing wealth to provide all the latest toys and gadgets to their family.
These three judges have no tale to tell. What kind of tale is God recording of my life? What kind of material does God have to work with in the way I'm living my life? Will God be able to write a tale about the great things He accomplished through such a flawed but willing servant?
May God inspire us to live and work such that we will someday have a "tale to tell" that gives glory and honor to God.
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