RPG Adults
IBZAN, ELON AND ABDON
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8
Judges 12:8-15
Psalm 127
“…it is appointed unto men
once to die, but after this
the judgment.”
IBZAN, ELON AND ABDON
After Abimelech, there were two judges who ruled in peace and tranquillity. Now, after Jephthah, we are given the account of three judges who similarly ruled Israel. During their time no clear external enemy or oppression is mentioned. There are no details given concerning their contribution to Israel, but what seems to be highlighted is what Jephthah seemed to have lost by his rash vow. For two of these three judges, their children are mentioned (Judg 12:9, 14). However, unlike Jephthah, no heroic acts are recorded of them nor is there any account of sacrifices made. But whether one has a record as that of Jephthah or of that of Ibzan, Elon and Abdon, no one lives forever. Jephthah, with his great heroic acts which greatly affected him, ruled for six years and then he died; and many may assume that the sorrow upon the loss of his only child may have hastened his death. As for Ibzan and Abdon, both had many children and saw them marry. These two judges ruled for seven and eight years respectively, and then they died. As for Elon, his record is that he ruled for ten years; nothing is said about his children. And then he too died. The certainty of death is clearly set forth for us in the accounts of these judges.
“Then died Ibzan, and was buried at Bethlehem” (Judg 12:10). After all that Ibzan had done for Israel and for his family, he died. The reality and certainty of death ought to make us careful of how we live. Irrespective of the circumstances of our life, whether favourable or unfavourable, we have the obligation to be diligent in our duties as the Preacher advises in Ecclesiastes 9:10: “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” We must be obedient and faithful to our Lord and Saviour as Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 enjoins: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”
THOUGHT: The believer’s comfort is that he shall die once only.
PRAYER: (Use Psalm 90:12.)