“And the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and went northward, and said unto Jephthah, Wherefore passedst thou over to fight against the children of Ammon, and didst not call us to go with thee? we will burn thine house upon thee with fire.”
Context:The book of Judges records the period of Israel’s history after Joshua’s death, when the Israelites were ruled by various judges whom God raised up to deliver them from their enemies. This verse is a part of a larger narrative about Jephthah, one of the judges of Israel.
The Men of Ephraim:In this verse, we see the men of Ephraim expressing their displeasure to Jephthah, who was from the tribe of Gilead. The Ephraimites were a powerful tribe within Israel, and they felt offended that Jephthah did not involve them in the battle against the Ammonites.
Jephthah’s Victory:Prior to this verse, Jephthah had successfully led the Israelites in battle against the Ammonites. He made a vow to God, promising to sacrifice whatever came out of his house if God granted him victory. Unfortunately, his daughter was the first to come out, and he had to fulfill his vow (Judges 11:29-40).
Ephraim’s Accusation:The men of Ephraim confront Jephthah, asking him why he fought against the Ammonites without involving them. Their tone seems accusatory, and they even threaten to burn Jephthah’s house down with fire.
Jephthah’s Response:In the following verses (Judges 12:2-6), Jephthah calmly explains his position. He tells the men of Ephraim that he did call for their assistance, but they did not respond when he needed them. He reminds them of his initial attempts to negotiate with the Ammonites, but when diplomacy failed, he had to resort to military action.
Conflict and Reconciliation:The confrontation between Jephthah and the men of Ephraim highlights the recurring theme of internal conflicts within the Israelite tribes during the period of the judges. However, instead of escalating the situation, Jephthah’s response is measured and conciliatory, which ultimately prevents further conflict.
Key takeaways:The verse emphasizes the importance of unity among the tribes of Israel in the face of external threats. Jephthah’s response demonstrates wisdom and restraint, seeking to diffuse tension and avoid further division among the tribes. The passage also highlights the consequences of rash vows and the need for careful consideration when making promises to God.
