TOUCHY PEOPLE. Judges 12 The sensitive Ephraimites were unaware of their own responsibilities. Sensitive people tend to behave this way: they allow others to do the work and then criticize or condemn what others do. The Ephraimites were a small group, but they were protective of what they believed were their rights. They appeared eager and willing to fight the enemies of the Lord's people only after the battle was over. They wanted to share in the glory and benefits once the pain and hard work were finished. Anger and jealousy caused them to act arrogantly and aggressively. The hostility between the men of Gilead and those of Ephraim led brothers to fight each other instead of uniting against a common enemy.
It is expected that during times of victory, joy, encouragement, and edification, these should be the outcomes as the Lord's people share in good fellowship the fruits of divine work done for us and through us. Unfortunately, there are those who find reasons to be critical and complain even amid great blessings. By their very nature, complaints and criticisms are destructive and divisive. The results, at best, are pettiness and quarreling instead of joy. Usually, these extend beyond that to a shattered unity and unhappiness that divide God's people, creating a problem from which emerges the darkness of "war" between brethren.
Pride, resentment, and hurt feelings can cause Christians to focus on their differences instead of their faith and spiritual heritage, which unite them in God's family. We must remember that our spiritual battle is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers that try to defeat God’s people. Infighting among believers in Christ provides an excuse for nonbelievers to see Christianity or a group of believers as fake.
Petulant and sensitive people tend to speak in a confrontational and mean way. They often think they should be listened to because they shout and make a lot of noise. Those with grace usually try to soothe and calm them, aiming for peace instead of pettiness among brethren.
Apparently, Jephthah asked the Ephraimites for help with the serious situation that the people of Gilead faced from the Ammonite invaders. While the Ephraimites waited to see the outcome or discussed what they would do, the men of Gilead went ahead and did what was necessary under divine guidance. The Ephraimites reacted to Gilead’s victory over the Ammonites the same way they reacted after Gideon’s victory over the Midianites. During the time of the judges, the division between those on the east side of the Jordan and those on the west became real. Joshua had stressed the importance of unity, but the men of Ephraim saw those on the east side as fugitives and traitors from Ephraim and Manasseh.
When the men of Ephraim came with their touchy threats, the response from Jephthah and the men of Gilead was very different from that of Gideon, who had previously appeased those sensitive people. Ephraim arrived threatening and armed, ready for war with their brothers, and found no tolerance for their taunts, threats, or touchy, belligerent behavior. They realized their brothers were unwilling to tolerate insults and jealousy. Because of their complete lack of wisdom, they were put to the sword, and 42,000 Ephraimites died as a result. The place where unity was strongest—the crossings of the Jordan River—became the scene of the greatest disaster.
Assemblies of God's people should be united, where the strength of our common faith is the foundation, but it can also become the site of our greatest defeat. There is no way to avoid conflict when we focus on ourselves and our differences with other believers. Once sides are taken, reversing the consequences of our decisions becomes very difficult. No one wins when there is conflict among brethren. Lack of wisdom, jealousy, touchiness, and aggressive behavior on one side will lead to bitterness, anger, and malicious retaliation on the other. There is something deeply troubling about believers who are divided against each other. Healing is never fully complete, and barriers created by legalistic attitudes on both sides are passed down through generations.
Ignorance caused by legalism is dangerous. The conflict with Ephraim was not Jephthah's fault, but he showed no compassion. He treated his brothers as enemies. Revenge against the sensitive was also wrong, and the reckless actions of a hard-hearted legalist brought death, disgrace, and tragedy. Jephthah was a decisive, skilled, articulate, and strong man of faith in the Lord, but he could also harbor bitterness and act rashly without considering the lasting impact of his actions on his followers. Despite these terrible events, Jephthah managed to judge Israel and keep order for six years through his legal and authoritative approach.
Bitter words often lead to bitter actions and even more bitter results. There are unreasonable men who will make a man "an offender for a word," or, as in the case of the men of Gilead with the Ephraimites, an offender for a letter in a word. Nobody wins in such situations. There needs to be a balanced attitude when differences arise between brethren. Making threats and ultimatums shows a lack of grace and spiritual discernment. Ignorance of God's will and ways, stemming from a legalistic attitude, leads to deadly consequences and disaster.
Three times in this chapter, we read "after him," which signifies that the succession of four judges brought Israel thirty-one years of freedom from their enemies' oppression, resulting in a period of stability. Starting with Jephtha, the final words describing the judges shifted to “he led,” highlighting their leadership. Ibzan of Bethlehem was likely a man of considerable wealth and influence, thanks to his sons and daughters, who formed connections through their marriages. There were no recorded tensions during his seven-year judgeship, so he probably maintained a consistent testimony with God's people throughout those years.
Elon (strength) appears to have been a quiet man of character, as his name suggests, allowing him to maintain ten more years of consistent peace and testimony. Abdon may have remembered the twenty-three years Tola lived among the Ephraimites, who had thirty sons, each with their own donkey. He, too, was a man of wealth and influence who provided personal and peaceful (donkeys, not horses) means of transportation for his forty sons and thirty nephews. He was able to maintain the peace and unity of Israel for another eight years. Even the Amalekites living there did not seem to be a problem as long as Abdon was the judge. The wealth and influence of a quiet man may not always be appreciated at the time, but it helped keep order among the Lord's people. Such leaders are valuable to us, even if they have not performed mighty feats.
Complacency can lead to laziness, and laziness can bring about ease. Ease may cause people to become mere observers who watch but refuse to act when opportunities arise. Others might win victories while you remain safely at home, either wondering what to do or waiting to see what others accomplish. A lack of responsibility breeds mistrust, which quickly fosters doubt. Doubts can result in false accusations and misinformation, hampering effective work. God initially granted a great victory, but among tribal brothers, it sparked significant controversy.
Two were at fault, though one was the first to complain because he felt out of the loop, having been overlooked due to his own lack of interest. The second wasn’t at fault, but he could have responded with grace rather than vengeance. Grace can restore fellowship when controversy arises, and kind words can defuse anger. In Ephraim, many who should have lived died because of unresolved controversy.
We often become aware of differences of opinion between brothers and sisters. Some people have differing opinions about small things, and each has the right to their own view. We don't all need to agree on every little thing, and we can avoid the controversy that insignificant issues cause. However, when a truth or sound doctrine is challenged, we must stand up and be counted. Be valiant and bold when defending God’s truth.