Judges 12:6 The Ephraimite forces were called out, and they crossed over to Zaphon. They said to Jephthah, “Why did you go to fight the Ammonites without calling us to go with you? We’re going to burn down your house over your head.”
As a lifelong Indiana University fan living in Illinois, I have never been surprised to rarely see others wearing IU colors. I expect to see orange. But, interestingly enough, I often see a fair number of Duke shirts, hats, etc. This is not because so many people in central Illinois have North Carolina connections, but rather, because Duke wins. It pains me to say, when it comes to basketball, they win a lot! It’s just easier to be a bandwagon fan than to stick with one team through thick and thin!
Jephthah had just defeated the Ammonites. The Ammonites had been oppressing Israel for some time. The people needed someone to lead them and, though they cared nothing for Jephthah, they knew he was good in a fight! So they asked him to lead them. With God’s help, he was victorious! There should have been wide-spread celebrations but Jephthah was met by the Ephraimites (a tribe of Israelites). They were upset that they hadn’t been asked to go along for the battle.
If you have read Judges, this incident might ring a bell. Just a few chapters (and some years) before, Gideon had been used by God to lead the people in a great victory. Upon returning home he was met by? The Ephraimites! Complaining that they had been left out.
The thing is, in both cases they could have been involved. They could see their countrymen suffering. They knew the foreign oppressor was making life difficult. But they held back. They waited to see who the winner would be. It was too much for them to show their loyalty and possibly come under uncomfortable scrutiny.
God isn’t looking for casual followers. Ones who are waiting to see which way the wind blows. To see who will win. He wants our everyday focus and allegiance. God rewards the diehard follower of His. He doesn’t have a much higher opinion of bandwagon fans than anyone else!
Blessings,
Pastor Russ
