Text: Judges 12:1-15
One of the common themes in the Book of Judges is chaos. The nation
seems to be gradually ever degenerating. In this Chapter, they are now
fighting against each other. This is civil war. The tribe of Ephraim claims
Jephthah did not invite them to the battle against Ammon. Jephthah says
he did invite them (v.2) and the victory is Yahweh’s work anyway, not
his. So, Jephthah and his men slaughtered 42,000 of Ephraim’s soldiers.
Though Jephthah got the victory against an external common enemy,
Ammon, Israel is now killing one another.
Jesus, the great Deliverer, won the victory for His people. He brings His people together. As we read in the book of Acts, the Lord is bringing salvation to people everywhere. Of course, we still have problems with strife in the Church, and we always will to some degree. But generally, the people of Christ are at peace with each other. Love for one another is a mark of those who belong to Christ (John 13:35). One day we will all be one people and perfect forever (Rev.7:9).
Meditate on verse 1. What are you learning from this verse?
Our ever-forgiving Father in heaven, in the name of Jesus Christ, we pray for forgiveness regarding incidences of fighting one another in your Church in the past; we further pray that you send Your Holy Spirit to dwell in us, so that we may, now and in future, stay all conflicts in
the body of Christ. Amen.