Jdg 8:1 And the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us thus, that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? And they did chide with him sharply.

After Gideon had smitten the Midianites, the men of Ephraim came and chided him: “Why hast thou served us thus, that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites?” (Judges 8:1).

Didn’t the men of Ephraim know Gideon was raising an army to fight the Midianites? Why didn’t they join him? I can suggest two reasons:

1. They didn’t want to get involved because they weren’t sure if Gideon could win the battle against the Midianites.

2. They were lazy and coward. They didn’t want to work but they wanted a share of the glory.

                   

It would set a stage for a nasty conflict between Gideon and the men of Ephraim if not for the very mild and gentle manner in which Gideon replied them. He said: “What have I done now in comparison of you? Is not the gleaning of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?” (Judges 8:2).

Gideon’s character comes out splendidly in this answer. Humble and unassuming, he said what he had done was nothing in comparison to what the Ephraimites had done. He had killed a few common soldiers, but Ephraim, who came in at the end of the fight, like the gleaner when the vintage is finished, had got more glory by the capture of Oreb and Zeeb, the princes of the Midianites (Judges 7:24-25).

Solomon says: “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger” (Proverbs 15:1).

A soft answer turns away wrath. Gideon could have chided them and scolded them for not joining him in the first place. But that would mean war with his own brethren. But he passed this by, and took a more excellent way. He abased himself and exalted the Ephraimites.

Unfortunately, not every man is like Gideon. Most under that circumstance would get angry and answer in an angry manner. Some might say: “You Ephraimites don’t be ridiculous. I called you but you didn’t come. Now you want the glory after the war is over. You can forget about it.”

Thankfully, Gideon had better self-control than most people. Gideon's answer was very calm and peaceable, and was intended not so much to justify himself as to please and pacify them. He answered them with a great deal of meekness and temper. He did not resent the way the Ephraimites approached and chided him, nor answer anger with anger, but mildly reasoned the case with them. With a great deal of modesty and humility, he magnified their performances above his own.

Paul wrote: “Let each esteem other better than themselves” (Philippians 2:3) and “in honour preferring one another” (Romans 12:10). Gideon was willing to give the greater honour to the Ephraimites.

God loves peacemakers (Matthew 5:9). And words can either promote peace or start a war. Therefore, “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man” (Colossions 4:6). Our words need seasoning.

We see how a soft answer turned away wrath. This rule works with couples, family members, church members, in the workplace, on the road, and in the public places. Use it.

                                                                 

Jimmy Lau

Psa 119:97  Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.

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