“Ephraim people” within the church?
The
Ephraimites said to Gideon,
"Why
did you not call us when you went to fight against the Midianites?
How
could you treat us like this?"
and
they argued strongly with Gideon (Judg. 8:1).
Similarly,
they confronted Jephthah, saying,
"Why
did you cross over to fight against the people of Ammon without calling us to
go with you?
We
will burn your house down over you!" (12:1).
Although
the Ephraimites questioned
why
they were not called to war by Gideon or Jephthah,
examining
Jephthah's response reveals that their claim was not entirely accurate:
"I
called you, but you did not save me from their hands.
So
when I saw that you would not help, I took my life in my hands..."
(vv. 2-3).
When
I contemplate this reality,
I
think there are people in the church who are like the "Ephraimites":
1.
They talk but do not act.
2.
Therefore, even when church leaders seek help,
they do not offer assistance.
3.
They do not take communal responsibilities
seriously.
4.
Despite this, they desire to be treated well by
church leaders.
5.
When they do not receive the treatment they
desire, they become angry.
6.
Consequently, they engage in disputes and
arguments with church leaders.
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