Judges 12

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Jephthah Defeats Ephraim; Judges Ibzan, Elon and Abdon

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. Believers should watch out for the sideline critic attitude.

  2. Believers should watch out for the "I've-had-it" attitude.

  3. Believers should watch out for the "Say Shibboleth" attitude.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Let's not be part of a circular firing squad.

QUESTIONS

  1. Who was Samuel?

  2. Why were all of the sons and daughters of the judges mentioned?

  3. Jephthah made another rash decision in this lesson. What was it?

  4. What was the linguistic test?

  5. How can we avoid internal strife?

ANSWERS

  1. Hannah's son, who was dedicated to the Lord. He is sometimes called the last judge and the first prophet in Israel.

  2. To emphasize their community status and influence as well as their affluence.

  3. Jephthah wanted revenge over the Ephraimites who didn't support him during the battle, so he cut off the fords, capturing all who tried to escape. Then he set up a linguistic test, killing everyone who couldn't pass it. 42,000 of his fellow Israelites were killed.

  4. The Ephraimite was asked to say, "Shibboleth." If he said, "Sibboleth" he was killed with no mercy.

  5. We should guard our attitude toward other Christians.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Ephraim had a “sideline critic” attitude. Be honest, how often are you a sideline critic?  Have you seen how it leads to internal strife?

  2. Ephraim was wrong to criticize Jephthah, but Jephthah was wrong to take the “I’ve-had-it” attitude. When the line is crossed, gifted people may leave the ministry, husbands may leave their wives, and all kinds of problems result. How much better it is to work it out. Have you ever taken the “I’ve-had-it” attitude?

CHALLENGE

  1. When Christians turn against one another instead of focusing on the real enemy, it becomes a civil war. Internal strife only damages each other and the work of the Lord. Don’t let this happen in your church. Read Galatians 5:15.

KEY VERSES

  • "Why didn't you call us to fight with you? We will burn your house down on you with fire!" "If you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!" Galatians 5:15

  • "When I called you, you didn't come. Why are you fighting me?" Judges 12:1-3

  • "Say 'Shibboleth." Judges 12:5-6

  • "If you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!" Galatians 5:15

Judges, Old Testament, TalksRon ReidJUDGES 12