Today we come to the time when Jair ruled as judge over Israel.
The name implies that Jair was a man who was enlightened by God.
A MAN OF ENLIGHTENMENT
Jair led Israel through 22 years of peace and harmony. This stretched the peaceful rule of his predecessor named Tola. Together these two judges ruling back-to-back were able to accomplish 45 years of peace for the people of Israel.
Like Tola; Jair was said to be a godly man.
FROM EAST OF THE RIVER
On first glimpse; Jair is even more of a mystery than Tola. We know that Jair was from the tribe of Manasseh who came from east of the River Jordan. He inherited this land through the line of Machir, who was the son of Manasseh.
We only know a few solid facts about Jair from the scriptures we read in Judges Chapter 10.
First we note that He was from Gilead.
30 SONS ON 30 DONKEYS OVER 30 CITIES
Next we know from the scriptures that Jair had thirty sons who rode thirty donkeys.
That statement brought up to modern times would be similar to saying "He was rich with a large family and owned 30 Mercedes." A donkey was rare in that part of the country in those days and only the rich could afford to own even one.
Jair had 30; one for each son.
It is safe to say the family invested into the local economy. Probably this had a lot to do with the fact that the land was rich and prosperous in those days.
A MOST SIGNIFICANT TIME
The time of Jair in the timeline of Israel's history would have been approximately 1120 BC.
Times were good in Israel during Jair's reign. People were prosperous.
One of those who was the most prosperous was a devout and godly man named Boaz.
We all love the story of how Ruth met Boaz in a Barley field where the two fell in love. This beloved couple became the lineage of Jesus Our Messiah. It is a beautiful true tale that took place during the times of the rule of Jair.
A PEACEFUL TIME OF PREPARATION FOR THE FUTURE
So; it would be safe to say that the peace and prosperity in the land during the days of the rule of Jair helped pave the way to the history of our own salvation. Had the land not been prosperous; Naiomi might not have returned home and Ruth might not have met Boaz.
That isn't a small fact.
Most will breeze right by this amazing information though. They will only notice the obscurity of Jair's name throughout the rest of the scriptures.
LIVING IN PROSPERITY
Again; we will note that Jair was very prosperous. His sons must have helped him in the maintenance and sharing of the family wealth. The sons of Jair peacefully and respectfully ruled over the 30 towns of Gilead which Jair had inherited.
The ancestral tribe of Manasseh, was from across the Jordon River. These lush lands which were good for cattle were separated from the main tribes of Israel who mostly hailed from the other side of the river. Sometimes this made for divisions among the struggling nation's people; but in the time of Jair, he seemed to be respected and honored in spite of this fact.
This further confirms that Jair must have used his wealth wisely and for the good of the people. He implemented peaceful policies.
A TIME OF SIMPLICITY
Some of the best men in history have spent successful lives by living silently and soundly in the background without making huge waves or causing lots of great and notable historical events.
Two good judges of Israel seem to have presided in such a way.
Look out though; nothing gold can stay.
A new storm was slowly brewing over the land.
The times after Jair were very different. Jair's death seemed to end an era of godly men living in the land.
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