A Soft Answer for his Critics (Judges 8:1-3)

1/15/2010 9:12 PM

SPIRITUAL DIARY

My Worship Time                              Focus:  A soft answer for his critics

Bible Reading & Meditation               Reference:  Judges 8:1-3

            Message of the verses:  “1 ¶  Then the men of Ephraim said to him, "What is this thing you have done to us, not calling us when you went to fight against Midian?" And they contended with him vigorously.  2  But he said to them, "What have I done now in comparison with you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?  3  "God has given the leaders of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb into your hands; and what was I able to do in comparison with you?" Then their anger toward him subsided when he said that.”

            Why would Ephraim be criticizing Gideon?  Maybe it was because they had missed out on all of the spoils of war.  Proverbs 15:1 reads as follows, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger,” and that is exactly what Gideon did in answering the men from Ephraim.

            Verse two shows that the people of Ephraim had killed the two leaders of Midian and that was enough to satisfy them.

            One more point and that is the men from Ephraim should have been thanking Gideon and praising the Lord for the great victory and not worrying about spoils, for as least they were safe.

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  “I need to remember proverbs 15:1 and put it into practice in my life.

My Steps of Faith for Today:

1. Remember the principles of Proverbs 15:1.

1/15/2010 9:22 PM