Let Your Light Shine
Today's Verse:
And after him arose Jair, a Gileadite, and judged Israel twenty and two years. And he had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass colts, and they had thirty cities, which are called Havothjair unto this day, which are in the land of Gilead. And Jair died, and was buried in Camon. ~Judges 10:3-5
Hebrews 11:34 speaks of men of faith who out of weakness were made strong. Jair is one of those men. Three verses speak of this man’s life. He was a judge in Israel. He seldom comes to our minds when we think of the judges. Yet, he was a man who for 22 years made a substantial contribution to the people of his generation. This morning, let us consider a man whose life was a light to his world.
We see a man who was gallantly intrepid.
Jair was a man of Gilead. He was from a family of men that included the likes of Jephthah and Elijah. Men of Gilead were mountain men. Mountain life is a rugged life. He may have done shepherding on those mountains. He faced mountain lions and bears on that rugged landscape. He learned to be courageous and daring. He was a man who climbed the mountains and was unafraid of what lay ahead of him. Like Jair, we need to live on the mountain with the Lord. Like Jair, we need to be courageous and have great fortitude as we face the difficulties in life.
We see a man who was godly in his illumination.
His name means “he who enlightens.” No wonder God used him as a judge. He was a man of wisdom and prudence. As a judge, he had to have discernment and prudence in helping people with their problems. He lived during a time when men preferred darkness over light. Yet, his knowledge of Scripture and his walk with God gave illumination to his nation. Are you walking as children of the light? Paul said, “Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:14-15). “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
We see a man who was a great inspiration.
Jair not only illuminated the lives of his people, he inspired them as well. He inspired people to go higher in their lives. He inspired people to be holy in their lives. He inspired people to be happy in their lives. The nation was stable under him. The nation was spiritual under him. The nation was successful under him. Great leaders inspire others to do great things. Great leaders inspire others to exercise faith. Great leaders inspire people to see the possibilities and do something great for God.
We see a man who left a gainful inheritance.
“And he had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass colts, and they had thirty cities, which are called Havothjair unto this day, which are in the land of Gilead.” Jair left the most important legacy of his life and that was what he left behind for his descendants. Spiritual leaders must be sure that they leave behind a spiritual legacy with their children. John said, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in the truth.” All of his sons were left with a substantial inheritance. They rode on ass colts and had oversight over cities. He raised sons who became princes and leaders. He nurtured his sons to follow his faith. He brought them up to be men who likewise would influence their generation. He left behind a great testimony of a father who did not neglect his son’s future while he was leading his nation. What type of spiritual inheritance are you leaving behind for your descendants?
Jair was a man who lit up his world with his life and testimony. How brightly is your light shining for Jesus?
Have an illuminating God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Jeremiah 4-6
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