Unknown Men that Made a Difference | Judges 10:1-5 | J. Allen Mashburn

When you come through the Book of Judges,  the ministries of Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar, Deborah and Gideon stand out… All of these, with the exception of Shamgar led the people of Israel to outstanding military victories.

In the list I just mentioned, one man stands out as being different. I am referring to Shamgar. He is considered to be one of the Minor Judges. There are six Minor Judges in all. They are Shamgar, Jud. 3:31; the two men mentioned in our text today, Tola, Jud. 10:1, and Jair, Jud. 10:3-5; Ibzan, Jud. 12:8-10; Elon, Jud. 12:11-12; and Abdon, Jud. 12:13-15.

The reason these men are called Minor Judges is because they were no great military leaders like Deborah and Gideon; they were men who helped maintain the peace in the nation of Israel. While they might not have been mighty in military exploits, they were as important to the nation of Israel as those Judges that led the nation to great military victory.

Today, as we continue our study of the Judges of Israel, we are going to consider the lives and ministries of two of the Minor Judges. Today, we will examine the lives of Tola and Jair. While the Bible has very little to say about these two men, their lives and deeds have mush to teach us.

I want us to learn the truth that you do not have to be well known to make a difference for the glory of God. I want you to see that God delights in using the unknown servant to help His people, glorify His name and build His kingdom. I want you to see that God can and will use you if you will make yourself available to Him.