Singing in a Minor Key

I. Twelve Judges Who Show Us Two Ways to Live

      1. Othniel (3:7–11) - under him the land had rest 40 years

      2. Ehud (3:12–30) - after him, the land had rest for 80 years

      3. Shamgar (3:31) - first minor judge (no mention of rest)

      4. Deborah (4-5) - and the land had rest 40 years

      5. Gideon (6-8) - the land had rest for 40 years

      [Abimelech mess (9)]

      6. Tola (10:1-2) - second minor judge

      7. Jair (10:3) - third minor judge

      8. Jephthah (10:6–12:7) — judged Israel 6 years… but no mention of rest

      9. Ibzan (12:9) - fourth minor judge

      10. Elon (12:11) - fifth minor judge

      11. Abdon (12:14) - sixth and last minor judge

      12. Samson (13-16) - the last judge

      [Two sad stories of how bad things can get: “Everyone does what is right in their own eyes.” (17-21)]

II. Six Minor Players in a Six-Pack Major Problem

      1. The One: Shamgar (3:31) - God can use all kinds of people

      2. The Two: Tola and Jair (10:1-5) - average leaders have their place

      3. The Three: Ibzan, Elon & Abdon (12:8-15) - mortal men make meagre saviours