Judges 12:1-7 Strife After Salvation

Judges 12:1-7 Strife After Salvation

Introduction:

Freedom had finally been won. Israel had been delivered from the Ammonite threat, and the judge God had raised up—Jephthah—had fulfilled his calling. But instead of peace, strife broke out. Like a family that just escaped a house fire only to begin fighting over who gets to hold the water hose, Israel's tribes—set free from a foreign enemy—now turned on one another. The people had survived, but they hadn’t grown. And the same old sins were still lurking beneath the surface.

1. A Pattern of Pride (Judges 12:1–3)

The men of Ephraim were not angry because they were excluded—they were angry because they weren’t in control. This wasn’t the first time Ephraim had acted this way (Judges 8:1). Their complaint disguised itself as concern, but what they wanted was credit. Their pride led to violent threats and almost immediately stirred up civil conflict (Judges 12:1).

But Jephthah's response shows how little help they had offered during the real struggle. He had called, and they hadn’t come (Judges 12:2). So he fought, and God gave the victory. Ephraim was now picking a fight after the battle had already been won.

Application:
It’s easy to point fingers once the hard part is over. Many are eager to reap the benefits of victory, but few are willing to risk anything for it. Pride creeps in when the glory of God’s work is overshadowed by our desire for credit. It’s possible to fight the wrong battle—against our brothers and sisters—because we never actually engaged the enemy.

2. A Civil War of Words and Wounds (Judges 12:4–6)

Rather than seeking unity and reconciliation, Ephraim mocks and slanders the Gileadites, calling them "fugitives" (Judges 12:4)—a slur meant to degrade their identity. The conflict erupts into full-on tribal war, with deadly consequences.

At the Jordan River, the test for identity becomes a linguistic trap: say the word "Shibboleth." Ephraimites could not pronounce it properly and were exposed. What should have been a peaceful crossing became a place of death (Judges 12:5–6). Forty-two thousand fell—not by the hand of a foreign enemy, but by their own brothers.

Reflection:
Strife after salvation is one of the saddest marks of a divided people. Ephraim’s complaint reveals a deep truth: even when God grants peace, we often continue to live like we’re at war. The promised land had been given, the enemies had been subdued, but peace did not reign. Why? Because hearts were still proud and self-centered.

We do the same when we use superficial markers—backgrounds, opinions, preferences, language—to divide what Christ has united.

3. A Sobering End (Judges 12:7)

Jephthah’s time as judge ends quickly. He judged for only six years. His legacy, stained by a rash vow and a brutal civil war, is not one of peace. His burial is mentioned, but there’s no national mourning, no monuments, no songs.

What should have been a time of rest is marked by regret.

Encouragement and Warning:
If you’ve ever found yourself in a place of regret, feeling like you’ve failed or been misunderstood, know this: Jephthah was not the hero Israel needed, but God still used him. His life points us to the better Judge—Jesus—who, though rejected, brought peace not by sword but by sacrifice. Where Jephthah failed, Christ was faithful.

Don’t allow division to grow in the aftermath of victory. As the church, we must not let pride or preferences create fords of judgment and division. Let us not slay our brothers over mispronunciations. Let us forgive, unite, and focus on the true mission—the proclamation of the gospel and the coming Kingdom of our risen Lord.

Conclusion

The war was over, but the wounds were self-inflicted. The land was free, but the hearts were still bound. Strife after salvation is a warning to every generation: unity in Christ must be guarded, not assumed.

Let’s live like those who have been truly set free—not just from our enemies, but from ourselves.

Scripture References

  • Judges 8:1 – Ephraim’s earlier complaint against Gideon, showing a pattern of pride and posturing.
  • Mark 3:25 – "If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand."
  • 1 Corinthians 1:10–13 – Paul pleads for unity in the church, warning against divisions over personalities and pride.
  • Galatians 5:15 – “But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.”
  • Philippians 2:1–5 – The call to humility, unity, and a mind like Christ’s within the church.
  • Romans 12:16–18 – Instructions for living in harmony with one another and seeking peace.

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