War with Ephraim
December 21, 2020
Commentary
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).
Judges 12:1– 7 (NET)
1 The Ephraimites assembled and crossed over to Zaphon. They said to Jephthah, “Why did you go and fight with the Ammonites without asking us to go with you? We will burn your house down right over you!”
2 Jephthah said to them, “My people and I were in a struggle and the Ammonites were oppressing me greatly. I asked for your help, but you did not deliver me from their power. 3 When I saw that you were not going to help, I risked my life and advanced against the Ammonites, and the Lord handed them over to me. Why have you come up to fight with me today?” 4 Jephthah assembled all the men of Gilead and they fought with Ephraim. The men of Gilead defeated Ephraim, because the Ephraimites insulted them, saying, “You Gileadites are refugees in Ephraim, living within Ephraim’s and Manasseh’s territory.” 5 The Gileadites captured the fords of the Jordan River opposite Ephraim. Whenever an Ephraimite fugitive said, “Let me cross over,” the men of Gilead asked him, “Are you an Ephraimite?” If he said, “No,” 6 then they said to him, “Say ‘Shibboleth!’” If he said, “Sibboleth” (and could not pronounce the word correctly), they grabbed him and executed him right there at the fords of the Jordan. On that day 42,000 Ephraimites fell dead.
7 Jephthah led Israel for six years; then he died and was buried in his town in Gilead.