Do you have a question, comment, or problem? Here's how you can contact me.

E-Mail: ruth.ackiv@gmail.com

Looking for Something?

Saturday, April 14, 2012

The Unfamiliar Judges: Jair

He was followed by Jair of Gilead, who led Israel twenty-two years. He had thirty sons, who rode thirty donkeys. They controlled thirty towns in Gilead, which to this day are called Havvoth Jair. When Jair died, he was buried in Kamon.
Judges 10:3-5

Sometimes I'm reading the bible, and there are the weirdest details. This is one of those weird details. "He had thirty sons, who rode thirty donkeys." And I have no idea how that has any relevance to the story. Seriously, I don't. 
UPDATE: I figured there was no harm in researching this topic and the whole donkey thing...Well donkeys are used to describe royalty. And that had me remember that kings and rulers ride donkeys as signs of peace and horses as a sign of war. So that could mean that Jair's thirty sons controlled Gilead and where peaceful. Jesus even rode a donkey! "When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields." (Mark 11:7-8) 
And later in Revelations, you find out that when Jesus comes back again, he will be riding a white horse. But people don't really think very highly of donkeys. They're know for their stubbornness and dumbness, but God still used them. Likewise God will use you because you are more important to him than animals. And if he used the "dumb" and "stubborn" animals, then he'll use anyone. 

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. 
Mathew 10:29-31


No comments:

Post a Comment

Locations of Site Visitors