Study In Judges

1. Study InJudges Presentation 013

2. Chapter 12v1-15 JephthahAnd Ephraim Presentation 013

3. It is some measure of the stature of Jephthah that even such a disaster as the vow [if it was literally fulfilled)], and the tragedy it entailed, did not destroy him, or render him a broken man. He continued in public life, as a judge, as these verses show. There is something very impressive about this for it is what we do with our tragedies, and how we tackle personal storms that marks us as men and women that cope with life. Lord Reith suffered for most of his adult life from a distressing depressive spiritual malady that sought to persuade him that he was spiritually lost. Yet how much he accomplished in face of this terrible affliction. What a challenge this is not to r give up when assailed by tragedy, grief or affliction. Introduction Presentation 013

4. These verses describe another episode involving the tribe of Ephraim. There is a clear similarity with an earlier incident [8v1 ff], involving Gideon and his success. There are lessons for us to learn. Clearly, Ephraim [descended from Joseph’s second son, and inheritor of Jacob’s blessing before Manasseh] had from the beginning a position of prestige and significance. It distinguished itself, tribally by providing a number of outstanding leaders, e.g. Joshua, [Num. 13v8]. On this occasion they are jealous of the success of the tribe on Manassah and the honour given to one of their number - Jephthah. Introduction Presentation 013

5. When we looked at chap8v1ff we suggested there was something of injured pride and ambition involved in the ‘spikiness’ of Ephraim, and that they had to be smoothed down by Gideon, who gave them ‘the soft answer that turns away wrath’. The problem and difficulty, however, with touchy people is that they ‘keep at it’, exercising a kind of blackmail on others, until life becomes almost insufferable - or, until they meet with someone who calls their bluff and will stand no more nonsense from them. This becomes the ‘crunch point’ for them. Introduction Presentation 013

6. The trouble with such people is that they get to thinking that ‘the world owes them a living’, and expect kid-glove treatment all along the line. Thus, they come in for a rude shock in the end, for sooner or later, the Gideon’s of this world, who handle them softly, are replaced by a Jephthah, who is a different kettle of fish, for he was not a man to suffer fools gladly, or to submit to ‘blackmail’. Introduction Presentation 013

7. Now we see in these verses that Ephraim’s attitude is worse than it was in relation to Gideon. They had been made worse by the soft treatment; and now they were very threatening (lb). But Jephthah was not impressed. It is amazing how wounded pride so often rewrites history as here. The burden of Ephraim’s complaint was ‘you didn’t ask us to join in this campaign’. When in fact as Jephthah reminds them he had called on them but they had failed to respond. Note to that Jephthah gives God the credit for the victory. The Epraiamites wanted recognition and hour for themselves, Jephthah gave it to God. Introduction Presentation 013

8. He goes on to ask since the Epriamites had obviously profited from his victory and the victory was God’s vindication of him ‘Is your attitude and motive not a bit inappropriate in view of the Divine seal on the campaign?’ This should have made Ephraim pause to think, but no; men in their state of mind do not think as they should. In their fury they accused and taunted Jephthah and the men of Gilead with being renegade Ephraimites (4). Battle took place, and Ephraim was ignominiously defeated. And, whereas in the earlier battle with Midian (7:24 ff) it was they who guarded the fords of Jordan to trap the invaders, on this occasion they themselves were trapped at the same fords by the Gileadites. Introduction Presentation 013

9. The test that the men of Gilead made as a means of identifying the Ephraimites was a simple one: it was to get them to pronounce the word ‘Shibboleth’ (any word beginning with ‘sh’ would have done). The Ephraimites, apparently, were known as being unable to pronounce ‘sh’ properly (in much the same way as English people have difficulty in pronouncing ‘loch’ properly, but say ‘lock’ instead!). The Ephraimites were betrayed by their speech, saying ‘Sibboleth’ when given the fateful word-test, in much the same way as the apostle Peter was at the time of our Lord’s trial (Matt 26:73 - ‘your accent gives you away’). And so the Ephraimites fell in a great and grievous slaughter. A sobering lesson on the devastating outcome of a touchy pride that pushes others too far. Introduction Presentation 013

10. There does seem to have been something almost fateful about what is said concerning Ephraim. One thinks of the solemn verdict pronounced upon them in Ps 78:9 in this connection. Ephraim had a history, and it went on and on until they were confirmed in a wrong and faithless attitude. And the crunch came when Ephraim was ‘displaced’ in the Divine purposes (Ps 78:67 ff): Shiloh, in Ephraim, was disqualified as the place of God’s dwelling, in favour of Jerusalem (Ps 78:60,67ff), Sow a thought, reap an act; Sow an act, reap a habit; Sow a habit, reap a character; Sow a character, reap a destiny. Introduction Presentation 013

11. Verses 8-15 record the judgeships of three other leaders of the people, Ibzan, who judged Israel for seven years(8—l0), Elon for ten years (11,12) and Abdon for eight years (13—15). Nothing else is known or recorded about these judges, and the record is necessarily brief. But the comment we made on Tola in 10v1 equally applies to these men. They may not have engaged in mighty exploits but they served God in the role to which they were called and as such their names are recorded in Scripture as a testimony to their faithfulness. Introduction Presentation 013