College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
Judges 12 - Introduction
A DIGEST OF CHAPTER 12
Jephthah's conflict with Ephraim. The men of Ephraim again found fault with Israel's leader for not giving them a special call. They had earlier chided Gideon for not calling them at the first when he went to war with the Midianites. Gideon appeased their anger by telling them they were much more important than he was and the work which they had finally done was more important than his initial victory. In Jephthah's day, actual fighting broke out between Jephthah and the dissatisfied men from the tribe of Ephraim. As a result, forty-two thousand Ephraimites lost their lives.
Judgeship of Ibzan. Ibzan was from Bethlehem in the land assigned to the tribe of Zebulun. The home of Ibzan is evidently not in Bethlehem of Judah since later on we find repeated references to the Bethlehem in the South in this form. Elon, who succeeded Ibzan as the judge of Israel, was also from the northern part of the country and is identified with the tribe of Zebulun. The thirty sons of Ibzan evidently married outside their tribe as the Scripture notices.
The judgeship of Elon. Elon was from Zebulun. Nothing much is mentioned of him except for his judging Israel. The leadership of the people in itself was a great challenge, and he held this prominent position for ten years.
The judgeship of Abdon. The most significant thing about Abdon was his family. He had forty sons and thirty nephews. Each one rode on his own ass colt, indicating their being rather wealthy.
LESSONS FOR LEARNING
1.
Say, Shibboleth. Peoples of Christendom are divided on very many issues. Creeds divide people, and so do their shibboleths. The dictionaries define shibboleth as any criterion, test, or watchword. A shibboleth is a word or saying which distinguishes the adherence of a party or a sect. This modern usage of the word shibboleth has arisen out of its being used originally by the soldiers of Jephthah to test the speech patterns of the men of Ephraim. Thus, a shibboleth is also defined as a given word which distinguishes persons not of a particular nationality or district. It is a peculiarity of speech which is distinctive of a particular class, profession, or set of persons. It is shameful that God's people are divided simply because some do not talk right. They just don-'t sound right to those who erect their shibboleths.
2.
Pride goeth before a fall. The men of Ephraim felt they were very prominent in Israel's life. They had not been given a special summons in the days of Gideon, and they chided Gideon for this act which they considered a slight of themselves. In Jephthah's day they had not been called; and when they continued in their stubborn ways, forty-two thousand of them were slain. Every Christian is well advised to take heed when he thinks he stands lest he fall. It is at such a proud moment that Satan's attacks are most vigorous. The fall of a proud Christian is even more shameful than the fate of the men of Ephraim.
3.
Opportunity knocks but once. The men of Ephraim must have known there was a need for a deliverer in the days of Jephthah. The children of Ammon had passed over the Jordan River to fight against Judah, against Benjamin, and against the house of Ephraim (Judges 10:9). If the men of Ephraim were anxious to play the role of deliverers in Israel, they should have arisen at once to drive out the oppressors. Since the men of Ephraim hesitated and Jephthah arose to lead Israel, the men of Ephraim were not as significant as they had hoped to be. Consequently, these warriors from Ephraim played a rather insignificant role. Eventually, forty-two thousand of them died. How much better would it have been for them to seize the opportunity when first there was the need for deliverance. In just such a manner, Christians today often lose the opportunity to win a victory for God because they do not stand up for their convictions when such courage is most needed.
TEN QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER 12
1.
What word did Jephthah use to identify the Ephraimites?
2.
What was the name of the river whose passages Jephthah seized?
3.
How many men of Ephraim were killed?
4.
What was the name of the judge who succeeded Jephthah?
5.
In what city was his home?
6.
Of what tribe was he a member?
7.
Who was the next judge?
8.
Of what tribe was he a member?
9.
Who was the next judge?
10.
How long did he judge?