Judges 10:2
Tola judged Israel twenty-three years, and when he died, he was buried in Shamir.
Tola judged Israel twenty-three years
Tola's role as a judge signifies a period of leadership and deliverance for Israel. Judges were raised by God to lead and deliver Israel from oppression, often during times of moral and spiritual decline. Tola's twenty-three-year judgeship suggests a time of relative stability and peace, though the text does not provide specific details about his actions or the challenges he faced. This period of leadership is significant as it follows the tumultuous times of Abimelech, indicating a return to divinely appointed leadership. The number twenty-three, while not symbolically significant in itself, indicates a substantial period of governance, suggesting Tola's effectiveness and the trust placed in him by the people.

and when he died
The mention of Tola's death marks the end of his judgeship and the transition to the next leader. In the Book of Judges, the death of a judge often signifies a turning point, as Israel frequently fell back into sin and idolatry after the death of a leader. This cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance is a recurring theme throughout the book, highlighting the need for continual reliance on God rather than human leaders. Tola's death would have been a significant event for the Israelites, as it marked the end of a period of stability and the potential for new challenges.

he was buried in Shamir
Shamir, located in the hill country of Ephraim, served as Tola's place of residence and governance. The burial of a judge in his hometown was customary, signifying honor and respect. Shamir's location in Ephraim, a central tribe of Israel, underscores the importance of Tola's leadership in uniting and stabilizing the nation. The burial site also serves as a historical marker, providing geographical context for Tola's judgeship. While there is limited archaeological evidence specifically identifying Shamir, its mention in the text situates Tola within the broader narrative of Israel's history and geography.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Tola
A judge of Israel who led for twenty-three years. His leadership followed the time of Abimelech, and he is noted for bringing stability to Israel during his tenure.

2. Shamir
The place where Tola was buried. It is located in the hill country of Ephraim, indicating the geographical area of his influence.

3. Israel
The nation that Tola judged. During this period, Israel was often in cycles of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance.
Teaching Points
Faithful Leadership
Tola's twenty-three years of judging Israel demonstrate the importance of consistent and faithful leadership. Leaders today can learn from his example of stability and dedication.

The Importance of Legacy
Tola's burial in Shamir signifies the end of his influence, reminding us that our actions and leadership leave a lasting legacy.

God's Provision
Tola's role as a judge is a testament to God's provision for His people, raising leaders to guide and deliver them in times of need.

The Cycle of Sin and Deliverance
Tola's judgeship is part of the larger account of Israel's repeated cycle of sin and deliverance, emphasizing the need for repentance and reliance on God.
Bible Study Questions
1. What qualities of Tola's leadership can we apply to our own roles in our communities or workplaces?

2. How does the cycle of sin and deliverance in Judges reflect our own spiritual journeys, and what steps can we take to break negative cycles?

3. In what ways can we ensure that our legacy, like Tola's, is one of faithfulness and stability?

4. How does understanding the role of judges in Israel help us appreciate the need for godly leadership in today's world?

5. Reflect on a time when God provided a leader or guide in your life. How did that experience shape your faith and actions?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Judges 2:16-19
This passage provides context for the role of judges in Israel, highlighting the cyclical pattern of sin and deliverance that characterized this period.

1 Samuel 12:11
Samuel references Tola as one of the judges who delivered Israel, indicating his importance in the history of Israel's leadership.

Hebrews 11:32
While Tola is not mentioned by name, this chapter speaks of the faith of judges, which can be seen as a broader connection to the faithfulness required of leaders like Tola.
Quiet TimesW.F. Adeney Judges 10:1-5
The Calm After the StormA.F. Muir Judges 10:1-5
People
Abimelech, Amalek, Amalekites, Ammonites, Amorites, Aram, Benjamin, Dodo, Egyptians, Israelites, Issachar, Jair, Maon, Maonites, Puah, Shamir, Sidonians, Tola, Zidon, Zidonians
Places
Gilead, Havvoth-jair, Jordan River, Kamon, Mizpah, Moab, Shamir, Sidon, Syria
Topics
Body, Buried, Death, Died, Dieth, Judge, Judged, Judgeth, Rest, Shamir, Twenty, Twenty-three
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Judges 10:1

     6634   deliverance
     6738   rescue
     7266   tribes of Israel

Library
Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.
(from Bethany to Jerusalem and Back, Sunday, April 2, a.d. 30.) ^A Matt. XXI. 1-12, 14-17; ^B Mark XI. 1-11; ^C Luke XIX. 29-44; ^D John XII. 12-19. ^c 29 And ^d 12 On the morrow [after the feast in the house of Simon the leper] ^c it came to pass, when he he drew nigh unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, ^a 1 And when they came nigh unto Jerusalem, and came unto Bethphage unto { ^b at} ^a the mount of Olives [The name, Bethphage, is said to mean house of figs, but the
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Judges
For the understanding of the early history and religion of Israel, the book of Judges, which covers the period from the death of Joshua to the beginning of the struggle with the Philistines, is of inestimable importance; and it is very fortunate that the elements contributed by the later editors are so easily separated from the ancient stories whose moral they seek to point. That moral is most elaborately stated in ii. 6-iii. 6, which is a sort of programme or preface to iii. 7-xvi. 31, which constitutes
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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