Judges 12:8

Judges 12:8 says, And after him Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel.  Verse nine adds, And he had thirty sons, and thirty daughters, whom he sent abroad, and took in thirty daughters from abroad for his sons. And he judged Israel seven years.  Verse ten continues, Then died Ibzan, and was buried at Bethlehem.  The next judge of Israel was Ibzan.  We are told very little about him, except that he had thirty sons and that he sent abroad and took thirty women from abroad as wives for his sons.  We are told he judged Israel for seven years and then he died and was buried in Bethlehem, where he was also born.  Though he only judged Israel for seven years, with as many sons and daughters as had, and having arranged their marriages, he must have lived a long life.  We may never know much about those whom God has placed in positions of leadership in the church today, but as long as they faithfully serve Him, that is all that really matters.  Verse eleven states, And after him Elon, a Zebulonite, judged Israel; and he judged Israel ten years.  Verse twelve adds, And Elon the Zebulonite died, and was buried in Aijalon in the country of Zebulun.  We are told even less about Elon, the next judge after Ibzan.  We are only told that he was from the tribe of Zebulun, that he judged Israel for ten years, died and was buried in Aijalon in Zebulun.  We do see that the judges came different tribes.  As Christians, we may be from different places or even different groups who worship together, but we are all called to witness for God and to uplift one another in prayer.  Verse thirteen says, And after him Abdon the son of Hillel, a Pirathonite, judged Israel.  Verse fourteen adds, And he had forty sons and thirty nephews, that rode on threescore and ten ass colts: and he judged Israel eight years.  Verse fifteen continues, And Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite died, and was buried in Pirathon in the land of Ephraim, in the mount of the Amalekites.  After Elon, Abdon judged Israel for eight years.  Matthew Henry says he was of the tribe of Ephraim, who were now being restored to a place of service in Israel and that he judged as the Philistines were taking over Israel.   He had forty sons thirty nephews, which Matthew Henry says were actually grandsons, who rode on seventy ass colts, possibly traveling to help Abdon in judging Israel.  Even if we have sinned against God, as the people of Ephraim had, that does not mean that we cannot be restored to a place of service in God's kingdom.  Addon was buried there after he died.