Today, we are chatting with another interesting personality from the Old Testament as we continue with our interview series. He is none other than the judge of ancient Israel often referred to as “the man with 70 donkeys.” He is Abdon, the son of Hillel, the eleventh Judge of Israel.
Shepherd Heart: We are delighted to have you with us Sir.
Abdon: Thank you for having me.
Shepherd Heart: Kindly tell our readers what they need to know about you.
Abdon: I grew up in the hill country of Pirathon, one of the settlements that originally belonged to the Amalekites. I am of the tribe of Ephraim. God used me to restore order in Israel after they turned away from Him following the death of Jephthah, the Gileadite. I ruled Israel for eight years before I joined my ancestors.
Shepherd Heart: You are credited to have sired forty sons and thirty grandsons who rode 70 donkeys. This must have been a feat in those days. Were you a wealthy judge?
Abdon: (Laughs) If you take time to read the book of Judges you would understand that Israel was not stable enough at this time for anyone to pursue self-aggrandisement. It was an agrarian society and most people engaged in subsistence farming. In any case, my father was very industrious and he took care of his household. Therefore, I was not a pauper before my people appointed me their judge. In fact, the Israeli society then and now is not enamoured with poverty. Most Israelis view extreme lack as a curse and an evidence of God’s displeasure. My sons and grandsons rode on donkeys they acquired through their own efforts. When people ascribe this activity to my appointment as a judge, they are insinuating things that have no basis in reality.
Shepherd Heart: The adage, heavy is the head who wears the crown applies to everyone who serves as a leader. Did you have any opportunity to address any integrity issue over the conduct of your sons and grandsons?
Abdon: The elders of Israel did not raise such matters with me. No one brought any charge of corruption against me. I guess that the myth of 70 donkeys emerged after my death. None of my people raised the issue with me while I was alive.
Shepherd Heart: What was your relationship with God like? Did you have a personal relationship with Him?
Abdon: Apart from the patriarchs and a few others, Israelites were not raised with the idea of having personal relationship with God. Some people like Moses, Joshua and David who interacted with Him at the level of friendship were the exception; a development attributed to their respective callings by God. I was not privileged to have that kind of experience.
Shepherd Heart: So, how were you able to rule your people without direct contact with God?
Abdon: Remember that the time of the judges was an aberration in Israel, as everyone did what was right in his own eyes. We did not give God His rightful place in our lives. We were more interested in the daily grind of life than in knowing and serving Him.
Shepherd Heart: Were you satisfied with this level of godlessness in your society? I am sure that you would have heard of the spiritual exploits of Joshua and Moses.
Abdon: Sure. All Israelites were familiar with the Law of Moses and God’s requirements for holiness. We were just not ready for a relationship with Him. Moreover, the influence of surrounding heathen nations was strong. Our people gradually worshipped their gods and polluted the land the more.
Shepherd Heart: The reason we are harping on this point is that we know that a godly leader can change the destiny of a nation. What exactly did you do for your people in the eight years you served them as a judge?
Abdon: Security was the critical challenge in those days. Therefore, it was the focus of my administration. Honestly, I did not see myself as a revivalist. Perhaps I could have done more for them spiritually if I had a personal relationship with God. It is both a physical and spiritual law that you cannot give anyone what you do not have.
Shepherd Heart: Can we then say that bad leadership caused Israel’s estrangement from God at that time?
Abdon: I am not sure that would be 100% correct. The quality of leadership is as essential as that of the led. If the people themselves were determined to love and follow God, their leaders would not have the strength to stop all of them. What we have seen in the Israeli society, both ancient and modern is that people choose to serve their own interest first. That kind of a mind-set does not promote godliness. God requires absolute loyalty and commitment.
Shepherd Heart: From your vantage position as one of the cloud of witnesses, what advice can you give to the church of Jesus Christ to prepare it for His second coming?
Abdon: Ancient Israel failed the commitment and loyalty tests. God is the same yesterday, today and forever. The church needs to show more commitment in the preaching of the Gospel. There is too much lukewarmness among believers.
Shepherd Heart: We totally agree with you. What specifically is missing in our devotion to God?
Abdon: The solution to your problem is in verse eight of the first chapter of the book of Joshua. Before Israel entered the Promised Land, God said to Joshua, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” You can substitute the Law with the word of God; it means the same thing. Your generation has no respect for the word of God. That is why some of you take liberties with it; adding to and subtracting from it at will. How can you have a productive relationship with God when you do not reverence Him or His word? I assure you that the church will experience greater manifestation of His presence once you learn to honour Him and His word.
Shepherd Heart: Thank you very much for your wise counsel Sir. We pray that our readers and the church at large would repent of treating God with levity and accord Him the honour due to Him.
Abdon: The pleasure is mine. I have enjoyed the chat with you.