March 15, 2014 - Saturday

Start Time: 7:06 A.M.

End Time: 7:30 A.M.

Title: Jephthah and Ephraim

Scripture: Judges 12:1 – 15

God’s Message / God’s Promise / God’s Commands:

→ The Ephraimite forces were called out, and they crossed over to Zaphon. They said to Jephthah,“Why did you go to fight the Ammonites without calling us to go with you? We’re going to burn down your house over your head.” Jephthah answered, “I and my people were engaged in a great struggle with the Ammonites, and although I called, you didn’t save me out of their hands.  When I saw that you wouldn’t help, I took my life in my hands and crossed over to fight the Ammonites, and the Lord gave me the victory over them. Now why have you come up today to fight me?” Jephthah then called together the men of Gilead and fought against Ephraim. The Gileadites struck them down because the Ephraimites had said, “You Gileadites are renegades from Ephraim and Manasseh.” The Gileadites captured the fords of the Jordan leading to Ephraim, and whenever a survivor of Ephraim said, “Let me cross over,” the men of Gilead asked him, “Are you an Ephraimite?” If he replied, “No,” they said, “All right, say ‘Shibboleth.’” If he said, “Sibboleth,” because he could not pronounce the word correctly, they seized him and killed him at the fords of the Jordan. Forty-two thousand Ephraimites were killed at that time. Jephthah led^[a] Israel six years. Then Jephthah the Gileadite died and was buried in a town in Gilead.

NOTES:

Ø God opposes the proud!  The Ephraimites were angry because they were not part of the battle against the Ammonites.  It’s as if, it is Jephthah’s duty to inform them to join him in the fight.  They want to take credit of God’s victory thru Jephthah and when they weren’t included, they want people to see that they are superior by fighting against Jephthah and his men.  The Ephraimites pride killed 42,000 men at that time because they were proud and they didn’t respect God’s decision by disrespecting Jephthah, God’s chosen leader. 

→ After him, Ibzan of Bethlehem led Israel. He had thirty sons and thirty daughters. He gave his daughters away in marriage to those outside his clan, and for his sons he brought in thirty young women as wives from outside his clan. Ibzan led Israel seven years. Then Ibzan died and was buried in Bethlehem. After him, Elon the Zebulunite led Israel ten years. Then Elon died and was buried in Aijalon in the land of Zebulun. After him, Abdon son of Hillel, from Pirathon, led Israel. He had forty sons and thirty grandsons,who rode on seventy donkeys. He led Israel eight years. Then Abdon son of Hillel died and was buried at Pirathon in Ephraim, in the hill country of the Amalekites.

NOTES:

Ø God provides for the need of leadership of His people!  God raised leaders every time the previous appointed leader dies and ensures that His people are walking in the right path thru the man He chose.  Ibzan of Bethlehem, then Elon, the Zebulunite, and Abdon, son of Hillel, from Pirathon!  These men were chosen by God to lead His people one after the other dies to ensure that His people keep their ways in His path!  This is God’s love for us – He could lead us but since His people needs to have a physical representation of leadership, God chose leaders to direct them (us).

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, Gracious Lord and Merciful Father!  Thank You because You are a God whose love for His people is everlasting!  Thank You because we can seek refuge under You and You provide us what we need even if it is unnecessary for You.  You are the ultimate leader of Your people yet because of our need of a physical representation of Your leadership, You appoint humble men to take the role of the shepherd of Your flock.  Thank You Jesus for Your kindness and love.  Lord thank You because You opposes the proud and teach them a lesson.  I pray God that You keep me humble always and take away my pride that is not in accordance to Your design.  Let me be selfless and humble as You want me to be Lord.  Help me to recognize that I have nothing that is not given of You.  Remind me always of Your unmerited favor and Grace.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen!