Judges 12 (I couldn't think of a snappier title)

So, last night at Bible study we looked at Judges 12 highlighting the theme of "jealousy".  For a brief recap: Jepthath (a Gileadite) had just won a victory over the Ammonites, saving Israel, and lost a daughter because of a foolishly spoken vow.  In chapter 12 the men of Ephraim came to Jephthath's house threatening to burn it down because he didn't call them for help in the battle.  Jephthath retorted the he did call them but they didn't come and so he had to do it on their own.  This all resulted in a battle between the Gileadites and the men of Ephraim, where the latter lost, and Jephthath went on to lead Israel in a time of peace.  Continuing after Jepphthath were three judges (Ibzan, Elon and Abdon) who didn't do a whole lot and Israel fell back into sin in chapter 13 (for next week).

Now, this whole battle between Gilead and Ephraim was because of jealousy.  Fighting wars and winning big victories (especially ones that save the nation) gain the victors much glory and honour.  Jephthath of Gilead was thrown into leadership and into battle because of necessity and a calling from God.  For him it wasn't about the glory, for all he cared Israel could've died.  Basically his background was that he was a mighty warrior and a son of a prostitute who was driven out of his home by his brothers.  When the Ammonites came, they turned to him for leadership and he reluctantly agreed.  The battle wasn't for glory, but for survival.  Ephraim on the other hand really couldn't care less about the battle or about helping Jephthath but after the fact when they had won this big victory did they get all offended because they wanted a piece of the glory and felt they were denied it.  They were so offended in fact that they were ready to kill over it.

This wasn't the first time the men of Ephraim had done this either if you look in chapter 8:1-3.  They did the same thing to Gideon after he'd won his battle.  In this instance, Gideon hadn't called them to arms but responded by pointing out the fact that they shouldn't be worried about not being a part of this victory because they already had nice stuff (good grapes and mountains) and had won victories over other great generals.  This calmed them down.  So, we see here that Ephraim has a habit of wanting glory, not because they don't have anything to boast about but because they wanted more.  Their desire for it never seemed to be satisfied and their greed and pride over it lead them to come to extreme decisions.   And in the end, they mostly died from it.

So what can we learn from this?  Jealousy is bad?  Well, yeah, but more than that we should ask ourselves what we get jealous over.  What is it that you desire so much that you "must" have it?  Or, what is it that you desire so strongly that you can't be happy for someone else when they get it?  As we can see, jealousy can drive a wedge between people - and these people were family going back a few generations.  It can make us do stupid irrational things that we'll pretty much always regret later.  So think about it:

What things cause you to be jealous?

And more than that, are they worth begin jealous over?

If you're having a hard time thinking about this, here are some things that could be relevant:

- someone who's more social than you, can make friends more easily than you, or strike up a conversation better

- someone who's more skilled at something than you
- someone has a nicer body than you

So what can we do about this?  What's the solution?  Since there's always going to be people who are more social, more skilled or have nicer bodies than you, or whatever your thing is, how do we respond?  Well, first off we have to realize that for the most part these things just aren't that important.  And for the important things we do desire and don't have, chances are they're on the way or God's always doing the work behind the scenes.  We have to be contented with what we have and don't have and be happy with that.  We are who we are and that's just how God made us.  If there are things we can better at, well, we just have to do the work to get better at them.  There's no point complaining or being angry about something we haven't earned if we haven't done the work.  Specifically for these examples:

- being social: some people are just naturally social and it comes easier, for others it takes time to develop. Not being as social as someone else isn't a bad thing - some are more introverted while others are extroverted - it's no reflection on who you are as a person.  And if you are wanting to be more social then my only advice is to just start putting yourself out, be yourself and be bold in starting up conversations.  Trust me I've been there - and at first it feels a little awkward but eventually it comes easier.  And always remember, some people are just awkward to talk to, it's not just you haha.

- being more skilled: there will always be people who are better at something than you, but that doesn't mean that there's no place for you or your skills.  The best thing you can do there is make it a goal or a challenge.  Strive to be better at what you do and work hard to become better.  Nothing's impossible for us, we often just need to get crackin' and do the work.  Besides, if you're looking up to someone, chances are someone's looking up to you.

- having a nice body: you were created by God just as you are - big, little, tall, short, blue white purple!  And in God's sight you are beautiful.  Think about it, every rose is still a rose, no matter if some are bigger, smaller, redder or not.  People seem to think that beauty is on a scale - top and bottom, but really we're all so unique that we can't really accurately compare one another except to group us by size, shape hair color etc.  It's dumb.  We're all created in the image of God, ALL of us, so that means God must have a skinny, large, fit, and unfit body, if a body at all.  So how can we say we are lesser than anyone else when we were created equally?  And, if you want a more toned fit body - go for it, starting working out or exercising.  Also remember, our genetics will only go so far one way or another.  I'm a skinny guy but if I wanted to look like a sumo wrestler I'd be hard pressed to get there easily or safely (you may laugh but sumo wrestlers are honoured people in Japan).

So back to jealousy.  Overall, just be content and happy with who you are and what you have.  And moreover, be happy for others when they get something that you might want yourself.  What good is it to be like the men of Ephraim who were all angry for missing out on an opportunity that they had been offered only to attack someone who was probably a peaceful friend before.  Plus Jephthath was probably still grieving over his daughter so y'know, worst-timing-ever!  Be happy for one another, "rejoice with those who rejoice, mourn with those who mourn" Rom 12:15 (actually Rom 12 is very relevant: love).  And don't worry if others are honoured over you, as in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, every part of the body of Christ is there to serve a different purpose but all are equal, so be happy for when people are successful in their areas


Also - this goes with the last bit of the passage in Judges 12:8-15 - Be good stewards of your life.  After Jephthath had died these three judges (Ibzan, Elon, Abdon) took over in succession but in the end the nation returned to sin.  Yes, they're mention in the Bible but they didn't do anything so worthy of honour.  Now, I know being a judge they don't sound glamorous like the other judges who were conquering enemy armies and saving the people, but their task was different.  They were called to be judges in times of peace.  So though they didn't have to fight any battles their charge was to maintain the peace and keep up the faith among the people.  Teach them the right way and maintain peace and morality.  And to some degree they may have done some of this, but ultimately some of the people's behavior is a result of the leadership, so in spite of any good they'd done, something went wrong.  Let's take a closer look.

Ibzan - lots of kids, lots of marriages.  Not a whole lot else.
Elon - he lived....and then he died.  The end.
Abdon - forty sons and thirty grandsons who all had donkeys.  Now donkeys for that time were like ferraris, which tells us that they were wealthy and took advantage of it.  Why not horses you might ask?  Horses in those times were for war so donkeys were the luxury of peace-time.

All of this really doesn't tell us much except one thing - they were noted for their social standings (marrianges and donkeys) if at all.  They weren't however noted for being full of the spirit of power of God.  They weren't said to have lead the people in the law of the Lord, but that they just lead.  They did the day to day stuff but without much interaction with God.  We can relate this to our lives in this way: are you a Christian who just lives, dies, marries and buys fancy donkeys or are you one who was known to be close to God; who loves God and lead people in God.  Are you the Christian as the world knows it - the boring, hypocritical only-Sunday-Christian or are you a good moral person who practices what he preaches and is open with his faith to the extent that he/she can be?

Food for thought.  Hope you enjoyed it!

Emmanuel