Good morning!
Text: Judges 10-12; Psalm 71
Toward the end of the judgeship of Jephthah, he is confronted by a tribe who earlier had refused to help his campaign against the Ammonites (bud guys):
The men of Ephraim were called to arms, and they crossed to Zaphon and said to Jephthah, “Why did you cross over to fight against the Ammonites and did not call us to go with you? We will burn your house over you with fire.” (Judges 12:1)
This is not the first time Ephraim has brought such a complaint. After Gideon’s conquests (Judges 8:1), they did the same thing. It seems that the men of this tribe hate to be left out when there is glory to be had. Now, this is pretty typical human behavior. That said, it is an instinct to be avoided by God’s people. If our job is to give glory to God, then we need to be comfortable stepping aside and letting others get credit. Is this an issue for you? I know it can be for me.
in Him, Mike