In Judges 12, we encounter a sobering moment in Israel’s history: the first recorded civil war among God’s people. 

The conflict involved the tribe of Ephraim and Israel’s judge at the time, Jephthah. Earlier, in Judges 8, the Ephraimites had confronted Gideon with the exact same complaint: they were angry that they had not been called to fight earlier in battle. At that time, with Gideon’s humble response, their anger was calmed. This time however, things unfolded very differently. When the Ephraimites confronted Jephthah with the same accusation, the situation escalated rapidly. Harsh words led to violence, and thousands of Israelites died. 

Judges 12:2 tells us that Jephthah had actually called them for help, but they refused to come.  Yet when the victory was won without them, they became angry. Why? 

The tribe of Ephraim was one of the most prominent tribes in Israel. Historically powerful and influential, they may have believed they deserved a central role in every victory. When they were not included, or felt they were not included, they reacted with outrage. 

There may also have been contempt toward Jephthah himself. In Judges 11, we learn that Jephthah was the son of a prostitute, rejected by his own family and forced to live as an outcast. Yet God raised this unlikely man to deliver Israel. Perhaps the Ephraimites could not accept that someone they considered socially inferior could lead and succeed without them.

There are several teachings here for our own lives.

Firstly, when we start to do more and more work in church, and we become influential, that is the very breeding ground for pride in our hearts. We may begin to believe we must be involved in everything. When decisions are made without us, we feel slighted or angry. The Ephraimites remind us how dangerous that mindset can be. Instead of praising God for what He is doing through other vessels, do we become offended when we are not at the centre of God’s work? 

Secondly, God often uses people we least expect. The Ephraimites despised Jephthah for his background, yet God chose him to deliver Israel. As humans, we are quick to form judgments based on what is visible to us - perhaps one’s qualifications, their past, how they speak, or how others perceive them. But God does not operate by these same standards. Throughout the Bible, God consistently works through the unlikely, and calls those whom the world may deem as least qualified (1 Cor 1:27). If our hearts are not humble, we may be dismissive of what they have to say or perceive them as incapable, when in fact they can be very effective workers for God. 

Reflection Questions:

1. Do I rejoice when God works through others, or do I feel threatened when I am not involved?

2. Have I ever dismissed or underestimated someone as a worker of God because of their background or abilities?