Elon, the tenth deliverer (12:11–12)

After Ibzan dies, Elon, a man from Zebulun, becomes Israel’s judge for 10 years. Elon means tree as in the two trees in the Garden of Eden, the tree cast into the bitter waters to make them sweet, and the tree that becomes the cross.

My immediate devotional response to reading: Elon only gets two sentences with no details, except his ministry lasted a decade. Length of service is unnecessary to accomplish God’s plan and will. Maybe one year of service fulfills God’s plan for you. We put a lot of emphasis on longevity, but sometimes it is unnecessary.