Judges 12:1-7
And Jephthah said unto them … when I called you, ye delivered me not out of their hands (Judges 12:2).

Today, we are faced with another story of the Ephramites. From the passage we read, I think it is safe to say that they may have had some problems with pride, poor self-image or self-esteem. When they knew they had a ready-force to fight with, why didn’t they offer to help others in trouble but had to wait until they were forced and begged to do so?

Sometimes we behave like them too. We wait to be pleaded with in our local churches or our neighborhood to help those in need. Sometimes we refuse to contribute to or support a program if our name will not be announced as the one who gave the biggest amount of money.

Unfortunately for the Ephramites, they met the wrong guy in Jephthah, who was not ready to be insulted or abused. He was not like Gideon who managed them with wisdom. An internal civil war broke out and many lives were lost. The battle of words led to the battle of swords.

In addition, Jephthah’s reaction may not be unconnected with the hurt and pain he had gone through – the pain of rejection and the loss of a child in the process of the so-called battle he was being challenged. The lesson for us is to learn to manage our hurt and pain and separate them from other challenges we may have so that we can manage each situation appropriately.

Your Turn

• Pray that the Lord will give you a gentle spirit.
• Pray that your heart and mind will not be ruled by anger.

Song: Lord, I give You my heart.

Wisdom for the Day: Proverbs 10