War with Ephraim

Judges 12:1–7
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The tribe of Ephraim seems to have been easily upset as they took exception to Jephthah’s strategy against Ammon (v. 1). The men of Ephraim had been angered before when Gideon did not ask them to join in his surprise attack on the camp of the Midianites. Their jealousy was a real infection that led to a defection. Later on, when the kingdom is divided into north and south, you will find out that Ephraim is the center of rebellion. And it goes back to their jealousy.

Jephthah lacked the diplomacy of Gideon, and he was in no mood for debate. In essence he said, “Where were you when we needed you?” (vv. 2-3). After he had explained his conduct, he then launched an attack against Ephraim, which was a tragic civil war (v. 4). The battle that followed was short and decisive as Jephthah and the Gileadites scored a complete victory. As the Ephraimites tried to escape across the Jordan river they were challenged to identify themselves by repeating the word “Shibboleth” (vv. 5-6). Forty-two thousand Ephraimites, whose speech betrayed them were slain at the crossing of the Jordan. Jephthah was a leader of Israel for six years, before he died and was buried in his hometown of Mizpah in Gilead (v. 7).

This example of the judges for us today is certainly a negative one. As Christians we are not to act in envy or arrogance or to do anything at the expense of our brothers and neighbors. Such conflict usually brings tragic results as in this case. There is jealousy in the church today. It is one of our greatest problems. Paul said, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves” (Phil. 2:3).

Application

What is my attitude toward those who have left me out of some plans where I thought I should have been included? This just happened to me recently. Remember “vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord” (v. 12:19).