“Then Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem, to his mother’s brothers, and spoke with them and with all the family of the house of his mother’s father, saying, 2 “Please speak in the hearing of all the men of Shechem: ‘Which is better for you, that all seventy of the sons of Jerubbaal reign over you, or that one reign over you?’ Remember that I am your own flesh and bone.”” Judges 9:1,2 NKJV
“After Abimelech there arose to save Israel Tola the son of Puah, the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar; and he dwelt in Shamir in the mountains of Ephraim. 2 He judged Israel twenty-three years; and he died and was buried in Shamir.3 After him arose Jair, a Gileadite; and he judged Israel twenty-two years. 4 Now he had thirty sons who rode on thirty donkeys; they also had thirty towns, which are called “Havoth Jair” to this day, which are in the land of Gilead. 5 And Jair died and was buried in Camon.” Judges 10:1-5 NKJV
Faithful God,
This chapter in Judges shows what happens when a man puts himself forward for his own gain rather than being called by God. In the midst of men raise up by God is a man who is a self appointed king. Abimelech. He murders so no one can oppose him from his family and comes to a terrible end. Those who aided and abetted him from Sechem also paid the price. It is a stark warning that true disciples follow.
But then we have Tola from the tribe of Issachar for twenty three years who must have been successful because there is no mention of trouble. Then another called Jair who was from the tribe of Manasseh and was a big family man. He had 30 sons who all rode donkeys the symbols of coming in peace.
Perhaps we do not arrive by donkey these days as a visible sign of our coming to make peace, be at peace keep the peace . . . but our body language sometimes gives us away! Perhaps we need to slow down at times. Dismount from our charger and find our own peace first. Not jump to conclusions, allow others to wind us up or just get on our high horse so to speak. Help me take a deep breath and remember what the proverb writer says, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”(15:1)
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Tuesday 17th March 2026
There is an introduction to the hymn and the singing starts about half way through. I would that my tongue always has a heavenly theme . . .
Begin, my tongue, some heav’nly theme
And speak some boundless thing
The mighty works, or mightier name
Of our eternal King
Tell of His wondrous faithfulness
And sound His pow’r abroad
Sing the sweet promise of His grace
And our redeeming God
His very word of grace is strong
As that which built the skies
The voice that rolls the stars along
Speaks all the promises
O might I hear Thy heav’nly tongue
But whisper, “Thou art Mine”
Those gentle words should raise my song
To notes almost divine
Lyrics: Isaac Watts.