The men of Ephraim: (Judges 7:24; 8:1-3)

The men of Ephraim were men of war and troublemakers. They loved a brawl. Gideon summons them in the middle of the battle and they go after the two Midianite princes, kill them, and bring Gideon their heads.

If these cavemen had been in the army from the beginning, people would say that they’d won because of them, especially since bravery was a matter of pride for the men of Ephraim (although they were not bothered to fight the Midianites for seven years) …

This begs the question: Why didn’t God choose these valiant men to deliver Israel? Precisely because, had they been chosen, they would have taken the glory for themselves. Gideon’s valour was different: It was in his courage to obey, the courage to be the only one to think differently (he did not fear Baal, he did not hide in caves).

The men of Ephraim, who did not have the courage to take the lead in fighting the Midianites, then go to Gideon to make demands and contend strongly with him for not having been called at the start of the battle.

Gideon humbles himself before them, saying that his family is nothing before Ephraim, so much so that God has delivered the princes of Midian into their hands. They then calm down, feeling valued and important now that they have received credit for the death of their enemy’s leaders.

Such pettiness… wanting glory and honour for themselves before men and not considering God. They represent those who have already received their reward… the small reward of feeling important before others. This is human nature: swindling.

Continued tomorrow…

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