Wasted Warfare
At least in the book of Judges, the Ephraimites are known for a contentious spirit, first against Gideon (Judg. 8:1) and now against Jephthah. Their complaint was that they were always left out and ignored. Actually, chapter twelve of Judges informs us that Jephthah pled with them to get involved against Ammon. Only after his invitation went continually unheeded did he break out on his own against Ammon. So intense was the feeling between the two Israelite communities – Gilead and Ephraim – that they came to blows.
Jesus Christ has never called His church to get into the ring and wrestle with each other, while the world gazes at us as bemused spectators. Strive we must, but not with one another. Our battle is against principalities, powers, and the prince of darkness. May God strengthen His church by focusing our warfare on the real enemy.
Taken from The Devotional Daily Bible
“Then Jephthah gathered all the men of Gilead and fought Ephraim; and the men of Gilead defeated Ephraim, because they said, “You are fugitives of Ephraim, O Gileadites, in the midst of Ephraim and in the midst of Manasseh.””
Judges 12:4
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