Did Israel fall into petty squabbles and national division? Are many of the differences of opinion between churches similar disputes over unimportant non-essentials of our common faith? What are the essentials that unite us? Let’s look at Judges 12.
Was there ever intertribal war between a branch of Manasseh and Ephraim?
The Ephraimites were called up for battle and crossed over to Zaphon. They said to Jephthah, “Why did you cross over to fight the Ammonites and not call us to go with you? We’re going to burn down your house over you!” Jephthah replied to them, “My people and I were in a great conflict with the Ammonites. But when I cried out to you, you didn’t rescue me from their power. When I saw that you weren’t going to rescue me, I risked my own life and crossed over against the Ammonites, and the Lord handed them over to me. So why have you marched against me today to fight me?” So Jephthah gathered all the men of Gilead and fought the Ephraimites. The Gileadites defeated the Ephraimites, because they had said, “You are fugitives from Ephraim! Gilead stands within Ephraim and Manasseh.” (Judges 12:1-4 CEB)
How did Gilead Mannasites detect an Ephraimite trying to escape?
The army of Gilead also posted guards at all the places where the soldiers from Ephraim could cross the Jordan River to return to their own land. Whenever one of the men from Ephraim would try to cross the river, the guards would say, “Are you from Ephraim?” “No,” the man would answer, “I'm not from Ephraim.” The guards would then tell them to say “Shibboleth,” because they knew that people of Ephraim could say “Sibboleth,” but not “Shibboleth.” If the man said “Sibboleth,” the guards would grab him and kill him right there. Altogether, 42,000 men from Ephraim were killed in the battle and at the Jordan. Jephthah was a leader of Israel for six years, before he died and was buried in his hometown Mizpah in Gilead. (Judges 12:5-7 CEV)
Were Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon the next judges of Israel?
After him Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel. He had thirty sons, and thirty daughters he gave in marriage outside his clan, and thirty daughters he brought in from outside for his sons. And he judged Israel seven years. Then Ibzan died and was buried at Bethlehem. After him Elon the Zebulunite judged Israel, and he judged Israel ten years. Then Elon the Zebulunite died and was buried at Aijalon in the land of Zebulun. After him Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite judged Israel. He had forty sons and thirty grandsons, who rode on seventy donkeys, and he judged Israel eight years. Then Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite died and was buried at Pirathon in the land of Ephraim, in the hill country of the Amalekites. (Judges 12:8-15 ESV)
Whose teachings are the essentials of our common faith?
If anyone teaches other doctrine and does not agree with the sound teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the teaching that promotes godliness, he is conceited, understanding nothing, but has a sick interest in disputes and arguments over words. From these come envy, quarreling, slander, evil suspicions, and constant disagreement among people whose minds are depraved and deprived of the truth, who imagine that godliness is a way to material gain. (1 Timothy 6:3-5 HCSB)
Should we have anything to do with endless squabbles over non-essentials?
Do not have anything to do with foolish and stupid discussions, because you know they breed arguments. A servant of the Lord must not argue. (2 Timothy 23-24a ISV)
Did Israel fall into petty squabbles and national division? Are many of the differences of opinion between churches similar disputes over unimportant non-essentials of our common faith? What are the essentials that unite us? You decide!
