ordinary judges

Judges 12:8-15 (JDV)

Judges 12:8 Ibzan, who was from Bethlehem, judged Israel after Jephthah
Judges 12:9 and had thirty sons. He gave his thirty daughters in marriage to men outside the tribe and brought back thirty wives for his sons from outside the tribe. Ibzan judged Israel seven years,
Judges 12:10 and when he died, he was buried in Bethlehem.
Judges 12:11 Elon, who was from Zebulun, judged Israel after Ibzan. He judged Israel ten years,
Judges 12:12 and when he died, he was buried in Aijalon in the land of Zebulun.
Judges 12:13 After Elon, Abdon son of Hillel, who was from Pirathon, judged Israel.
Judges 12:14 He had forty sons and thirty grandsons, who rode on seventy donkeys. Abdon judged Israel eight years,
Judges 12:15 and when he died, he was buried in Pirathon in the land of Ephraim, in the hill country of the Amalekites.

ordinary judges

Here we have some more who “also judged.” There seems to be little that can be said about Ibzan and Elon. It almost seems a waste of paper to write their stories in the Bible. But perhaps not. Maybe the point is that there were more “ordinary” judges who did what God wanted them to do but did not inspire the masses.

If you cannot be a hero among heroes, take a cue from Ibzan and Elon and be an ordinary leader. We need people in this world and in the church who will do the right thing even if they don’t become famous for it.

LORD, thank you for giving us ordinary judges.