When You're Offended

"Then the men of Ephraim were summoned, and they crossed to Zaphon and said to Jephthah, 'Why did you cross over to fight against the sons of Ammon without calling us to go with you? We will burn your house down on you.' Jephthah said to them, 'I and my people were at great strife with the sons of Ammon; when I called you, you did not deliver me from their hand. When I saw that you would not deliver me, I took my life in my hands and crossed over against the sons of Ammon, and the Lord gave them into my hand. Why then have you come up to me this day to fight against me?'" -Judges 12.2-3

The men of Ephraim come to Jephthah and aren't thrilled with him to say the least. They ask why he went to war without asking them to go with him and threaten to burn his house down while he's inside. Jephthah says that they were in trouble and when they did call on Ephraim they didn't come, and when they didn't he took action to save his people. A civil war occurs between the men of Gilead and the half tribe of Ephraim. Under Jephthah's leadership Gilead is victorious.

Ephraim is offended that Gilead went to war without them. Jephthah points out how he called on them for help and they didn't answer. His people were in danger and he acted to save them because no one else would. Looking at a map of the land after it was divided it looks like Jephthah passed through the land possessed by Ephraim and fighting took place there; Ephraim is upset that they weren't involved in a conflict on their own land. As a result they threaten the house burning and a war results. They were offended and it resulted in the deaths of 42,000 men of Ephraim.

Men, when you are offended what is your reaction? Do you out with threats of vengeance, or do you seek a peaceful resolution? How often are you offended and find out you're in the wrong? Is your reaction the same? What are the results of your attitude?

The men of Ephraim were angry over something that they had caused, and it resulted in tens out thousands of their people being killed. When you're offended what is the result?

Let us be men who seek peace. When an offense is given, let us seek rational resolution. Let us not start a war over something that was our own fault.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor