The Bible is filled with lots of names. Some we are very familiar with, but there are also names we are not. Some of those unfamiliar names take us some extra looking through our pages of scripture to figure out who they are. Some of these names are just names mentioned once with a little family background or just tell so and so hello.

It makes me wonder, why even bring them up? Tola and Jair were judges for the Israelites, but all we know is a little family history and how long they judged. (Judges 10:1-5) What happened in the twenty so years of their judgeship? 

What about Paul’s friends Pudens and Linus? (2 Timothy 3:4) All we have written down for us are their names. Who were they? What did they do? Did Linus carry around a blanket? 

We know every word of our Bible is inspired by God. We know God has a purpose for everything he has given us in his word. 

What is the purpose of Tola, Jair, Pudens, and Linus? 

We need to remember that our Bible isn’t new. Those whom God chose to write it down knew these names. Those Israelites who read the book of Judges probably were like “yeah, I remember that Tola. His grandfather, Dodo, was a great guy.” “Oh, and Jair…he had wonderful sons!” I’m sure Paul knew Pudens and Linus rather well. He probably knew what color of blanket Linus had. 

God had a purpose, whether it’s just for good book keeping, for helping those from centuries ago to remember, or to teach us a few lessons about our name today. 

Today and everyday remember that no matter how insignificant we feel, our name, our life matters to God. God knows our names. God knows our hearts. God knows our deeds. And sometimes it’s best if God only knows.

By: Kristina Odom