We are getting near the conclusion of our study of the book of Judges. And the narrative pace is quickening in preparation for the book's final, and arguably worst, judge, Samson. But before we get to the long-haired brute, there are three seemingly negligible judges: Ibzan, Elon, and Abdan. The whole of their narratives combined is seven verses, Judges 12:8-15.
The first, Ibzan, is noted for marrying all 60 of his children to foreigners and judging Israel for a meager 7 years. He did what was expressly forbidden in the Law, which was to intermarry at all. His judgeship was marred by continued disobedience to the covenants of God and blatant disregard for the things of the Lord.
The second, Elon, has far less. The only information to be discerned about Elon is that he was a Zebulunite that judged Israel for ten years and, upon his death, was buried at Aijalon. This is it. What it implies, however, is that Elon was not remarkable enough, good or bad, to make any real difference or impact during his tenure as judge.
As for the third, Abdan, there is nothing told us about his judgeship, only that he had forty sons and thirty grandsons and each rode a donkey. While this may seem of little consequence, what it implies is that Abdan was a man whose position as judge was used to garner wealth for himself and his family. Again, not a great example of leadership.
These three judges, Ibzan, Elon, and Abdan, all represent a dark time in history. As Israel continued in their decline, nothing good could be said about their would-be leaders aside from their burial grounds and offspring. To be sure, this is an indictment upon entire generations who lack faith and leadership, which is a recipe for obsolescence and debauchery. Let us then heed to the examples of what happens when generations fail to teach the next in the ways of the Lord. Faithlessness and sin grow exponentially with each passing age. Is it, then, any wonder why the world is in the disorder that it is?
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