Judges 12:1 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?…”
Both Judges 11 & 12 put me in mind of Joshua 5. One of the biggest truths I was reminded of in Joshua 5 is that I need to ask the right question, which is not “Is God on my side” but rather “Am I on God’s side?”
Judges 11:30 “And Jephthah made a vow to the LORD: ‘If You give the Ammonites into my hands….’”
Both Jephthah and the Ephramites seem to have lost sight of that distinction. Jephthah is bargaining with God (“If You give me what I want, here’s what I’ll do for You.” The Ephramites seem upset that they didn’t get to have a hand in a battle so that they can take some credit for a victory which clearly came from God.
Joshua 5:13 Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a draw sword. Joshua went up to Him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this reminder that I MUST keep myself aligned with You and not the other way around. Help me always to seek Your will and not to try to bend You to my own. Draw me closer. Amen.
Joshua 5:14 “Neither,” he replied, “but as a commander of the army of the LORD I have now come….”
Have a blessed day.
My faith, my life, my teaching–it's all a work in progress.