Dealing with Blessings

 

Judges 12:1-6

 

I.                  With blessings come criticism!

a.    Why did you leave us out of your victory? 12:1

b.    Ephraim wants to be a leader in Israel 12:1, 8:1

c.     Ephraim had been chosen over Manasseh by their father Genesis 48:14

d.    Success breeds jealousy

e.    If Gilead is going to be praised they wanted to be part of it

f.      Pride wants to fight feeling left out Proverbs 13:10

g.    They threaten to burn him and his house –desire to do him damage out of jealousy and pride

h.    They falsely insulted Jephthah and the Gileadites 12:4

 

II.              Blessings come at great personal risk and cost 12:3

a.    The nation of Israel and especially Gilead had been in great problems with the children of Ammon

b.    Jephthah had not gotten involved in this battle for the glory but the necessity

c.     He had asked for help but Ephraim refused 12:2

d.    He and the people had risked their lives

e.    He doesn’t take the credit for the victory but rather gives it to the Lord 12:3

f.      He had sacrificed his daughter and still they came to fight

g.    When he could have expected their love and help he got their hatred and attacks

 

III.           There were distinguishing signs

a.    If they wanted a fight Jephthah would give them a fight 12:4

b.    They smote the Ephraimites

c.     The prideful children of Ephraim are sneaking back home through the passages of Jordan and get caught

d.    Shibboleth (stream) is the word not Sibboleth (corn or ear of grain)

e.    Now that they have lost the battle they are willing to become Gileadites—who they had insulted calling fugitives 12:4

f.      Foes can become false friends when the blessings come

g.    Learn to distinguish true doctrine but don’t be so petty