Verse of the day: Judges 12:1, Then the men of Ephraim gathered together, crossed over toward Zaphon, and said to Jephthah, “Why did you cross over to fight against the people of Ammon, and did not call us to go with you? We will burn your house down on you with fire!”
This seemed to be a pattern with the men of Ephraim. When God gave Gideon victory over the Midianites, the men of Ephraim made a similar claim in Judges 8:1-3. Once again we see a disturbing pattern that exist still today amongst God’s people, and ought not to be. Why the anger? It stemmed from pride and selfishness. The battles had been fought and the victory won, but here comes Ephraim complaining that they were robbed of opportunity and glory by not being called to battle. Unlike Gideon, who chose diplomacy and peace, Jephthah chose to confront the hypocrisy head on. He quickly reminded these men that help was sought from them, but they failed to provide that help in verse 2, “And Jephthah said to them, ‘My people and I were in a great struggle with the people of Ammon; and when I called you, you did not deliver me out of their hands.’” Sadly, this will still happen today within the church. The need will be great, and those who choose to help meet that need will be few. Once the work is done, and praises are being given for the accomplishment, those who refused to step forward will now step up and ask, “Why was I not told you needed help?” This, in spite of the announcements, and personal invitations to get involved in the work God was doing. I love what Jephthah says next in verse 3, “So when I saw that you would not deliver me, I took my life in my hands and crossed over against the people of Ammon; and the LORD delivered them into my hand. Why then have you come up to me this day to fight against me?” In other words, when it came down to it, the victory was Jephthah’s because it was the LORD who gave it. Far too often, there are those who will only get involved to the extent that they receive recognition, even if it means jumping on the victory bandwagon, even though they contributed nothing to the real work. I ask, “Why do we serve the Lord?” Do we do what we do in serving for personal recognition or God’s glory? Do we thrive on the high of men’s accolades and a pat on the back? Are we willing to serve, and do it heartily unto the Lord, even if it is obscure and unseen? Colossians 3:23-24 tells us, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” Are we willing to do that which will produce no earthy recognition, but great heavenly reward? Our motivation in serving God should always be for His glory, and when we seek men’s praises, that is our reward, men’s praises (Matthew 6:2). Will we be like the Pharisees who loved the praises of men, more than praise from God (John 12:43)? The men of Ephraim were prideful and selfish, and it cost many of them their lives. What will we forfeit when we refuse to serve God in some area, simply because it will not gain us the prideful recognition we seek here on earth? For each of us, the born again believer, it would be best if we served the Lord with humility, seeing no task or ministry as being “beneath us”, and continually seeking to allow Jesus to increase in our lives, as we decrease (John 3:30), so that people ultimately see more of Him and less of us.
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).
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