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. He judged Israel twenty-three years, and he died and was buried in Shamir. (Judges 10:1-2)
Of all the biblical judges, the least is written about Tola. None of his deeds are recorded. he had the same name as one of the sons of Issachar who migrated to Egypt with Jacob his grandfather in Genesis 46:13
After him, arose Jair, a Gileadite; and he judged Israel twenty-two years. 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. And Jair died and was buried in Camon. (Judges 10:3-5)
For him to be able to support a household of 30 sons and they each rode a donkey. In all likelihood that means each son had enough animals that they could use one simply for themselves, meaning their feet rarely touched the ground. That’s a high-status symbol even today.
So they put away the foreign gods from among them and served the Lord, and His heart became impatient over the misery of Israel. (Judges 10:16)
When you do what is right in the sight of the LORD, He can only do good to you.
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. (Galatians 6:9)
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