Q2. Dealing with Ephraimite Arrogance

[DebChats]

To come and take the waters of Bethbarah and Jordan from the Midianites possession.

The Ephraimites are angry because Gideon did not call on them to help in the battle.

Gideon assures the Ephraimites that their job is as important and they needed to be where they were. He tells them God delivered Oreb and Zeeb (princes of Midian) into their hands. I have learned that it is wise to not see ourselves or our jobs as "the most important". God truly does the work ... And everyone has a job to do for God.

[Donald Henhawke]

Gideon asks his fellow countrymen to help finish killing the Mindianites by cutting them off at their watering holes.

They were angry because they felt their pride and honor was robbed of them, Gideon used diplomacy and the humbleness of Gods grace to difuse any futher contentions and get on with the business at hand.

I believe we can learn from Gideon that prideful ambitions that take God out of the picture is callous,and misdirected,we should at all times be humble and gracious to his direction

[Marjorie Knight]

Gideon asked the Ephraimites to help him because he had a small army of people and needed their help.

The Ephramites were angry because they felt they should have been included from the start, but this was not God's plan.

God wanted the people to realize it was not through their own strength that they were able to defeat their enemies.

[debs4jc]

What does Gideon ask the Ephraimites to do? Why are they so angry? Who do you learn from Gideon's approach to the Ephraimites' arrogance?

Gideon asked them to join in the battle by seizing the waters of the Jordan. The Ephraimites get angry because they weren't asked to help earlier--thus losing some of the glory (and spoils) that the others got when they won the battle (they wouldn't have complained, of course, if they had been losing).

Gideon faces a situation familar to a lot of us, who hasn't been in a group where someone's feathers got ruffled because they weren't asked to help with something that turned out to be a big success. Well why was I left out, why didn't you ask me to do that, etc. Gideon shifts the focus onto the success that God did give the Ephraimites and assures them that they did play an important role in the battle.

Sometimes in our human pride we want to take part in it ALL to be involved if every aspect of something that's going so well and looks so good. We have to be wise stewards and be content to manage the portion that the Lord has given us.

[linda biloni]

Gideon asks them to come down against the Midianites and seize the waters of the Jordan ahead of them.

They are angry because Gideon hadn't called them earlier and they are jealous.

I learned to exercise humility and restraint to avoid an argument that would take my eyes off the goals at hand. Sometimes I find this is done only by the grace of God

[leo]

Gideon asked them to help capture and destroy the remainder of the enemy. The Ephraimites were angry because Gideon didn't ask for their assistance when he drove out the enemies and now he's asking them to help his army mop up the rest. Their pride has been hurt and the task seems too absurd compared to what Gideon has accomplished earlier.

But Gideon wisely placates them by appealing to that aspect which has hurt the Ephraimites the most...their pride. He tells them that he has accomplished practically nothing. He just made the first move by driving out the enemies, that's all. He didn't capture anybody nor did he kill anyone. Between the two of them, the glory of the battle will still belong to the Ephraimites because they will still be the one to capture the leaders of the enemy. All he did was to make the job easier. And, fortunately, that seemed to work.

[Christopher Smith]

What does Gideon ask the Ephraimites to do? Why are they so angry? What do you learn from Gideon's approach to the Ephraimites' arrogance? (7:24-8:3)

Gideon asks the Ephraimites to assist in preventing the escape of the Midianites, as they flee for a Jordan crossing. Because the men of Ephraim were numerous, Gideon wants them to cover the long bank of the Jordan.

They are angry at not being included in the battle previously. Apparently, the Ephraimites relished warfare, and their bloodlust may have been a reason for Gideon's not including them earlier.

Gideon proves he can think on his feet and tell people what they want to hear. In the face of bloodthirsty warriors, Gideon shows humility and gives them profuse honor for their part in the battle.

Thanks are inexpensive, so it is good to be generous with them, as long as you can convey (and feel) sincerity.

[Joanie]

Gideon Lesson 4

Question 2

What does Gideon ask the Ephraimites to do? Why are they so angry? What do you learn from Gideon's approach to the Ephraimites' arrogance? (Judges 7:24-8:3)

Gideon now asks the Ephraimites to help him with the fight against the Midianites. The Ephraimites do help and also experience great victory over the enemy.

But the leaders of the Ephraimites are angry with Gideon for not asking them to help with the earlier battles.

Gideon shows great restraint and instead of challenging the Ephraimites' arrogant complaints. He is very wise and praises their help even telling them that their victory is better than his.

Gideon gives us a fine example to follow him in trusting in God's wisdom and restraint.

Proverbs 15:1

A soft answer turns away wrath,

But a harsh word stirs up anger.

The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly,

But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.

[Dennis Hatlestad]

Gideon asked the men of Ephraim to come down and seize the waters of Jordan. They were angry with Gideon that he didn't include them in the attack. Their angry was subsided when Gideon answered with a gentle answer.like we are to do.

[luray mcclung]

Gideon used messengers to summon the assistance of the Ephraimites who were to seize the waters of the Jordan ahead of the Midianite's fleeing army. Yet, the Ephraimites were angry in that Gideon had not requested their military support from the start. However, they met Gideon's request and were helpful in capturing enemy leaders, Oreb and Zeeb. Later, Gideon actually congratulated them and used wisdom and restraint as their anger subsided. My how Gideon's psychology worked on the tribe of Ephraim. lmc

[Liza]

Gideon requested the Ephraimites to stop the Midianites from escaping by the Jordan. They were naturally upset because they had not been called earlier.

However, Gideon has much wisdom in communicating with them and praises their victory while saying what he did was not such a big deal. I think we should learn this from him

[Walt Woodbridge]

What does Gideon ask the Ephraimites to do? Why are they so angry? Who do you learn from Gideon's approach to the Ephraimites' arrogance? (7:24-8:3)

Gideon calls for help from the Ephraimites from the South, and they respond and help in the pursuit of the fleeing Midianite army. and ended up slaying two captains of the Midianites, and brought their heads to Gideon to prove it.

The Ephramites were upset that Gideon had not solicited their help sooner, plus they wanted to share in the glory and the booty from the battles. Gideon refuses to argue and debate the issues at hand, but simply compliments them on their part in the defeat of the Midianites. We also need to chose our battles.

[bjcollin]

Q2. What does Gideon ask the Ephraimites to do? Why are they so angry? Who do you learn from Gideon's approach to the Ephraimites' arrogance? (7:24-8:3) See exposition

(See the maps at http://www.biblestudy.org/maps/12-tribes-i...israel-map.html and http://www.biblestudy.org/maps/paljudge.html ) Gideon had only called his neighbors to the north of the Jezreel valley and his own tribe which was around the Jezreel valley. In other words, he only called the closest neighbors. The tribes he called were Manasseh, Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali (6:34). Ephraim was his neighbors to the south in the hill country which is just north of Jerusalem. The fleeing Midianite army went south out of the Jezreel valley following the river Jordan and then turned east crossing the river Jordan and headed through the river valley toward Succoth and Peniel. This makes perfect sense if you are fleeing and want to meet up with the armies of the eastern peoples (8:10).

Gideon asks the Ephraimites to hold their southern lands up to a certain point on the river Jordan, which forces the fleeing army to cross the river Jordan and turn east. The Ephraimites are angry because Gideon didn't call them in the first place to help him defeat the Midianites. Gideon tells the Ephraimites that their weakest harvest is better than his tribes best harvest which calms them down. In other words, you are so blessed so why be angry with me since I am not as blessed as you are. I learned that if we show God's blessings, the arrogance seems less desireable to hold on to.

[Derek]

Q2. What does Gideon ask the Ephraimites to do? Why are they so angry? Who do you learn from Gideon's approach to the Ephraimites' arrogance? (7:24-8:3) See exposition

Gideon asks the Ephraimites to secure the Jordan crossing against the Mideonites. They are angry because their pride has been hurt in that they were not called out to take part in the battle from the beginning, but God only wanted the small party.

There is a proverb "A soft answer turneth away wrath" and Gideon evidently had this wisdom. It is very easy to retaliate when others are unpleasant in some way. However, we are in Christ and therefore we should have the fruit of the Spirit which includes self-control.

[kitty]

Gideon asks the Ephraims to go to the river and cut off the enemy. They capture Oreb and Zeeb, two Midianite leaders.

The Ephraim's are angry because Gideon didn't call them to the battle until later in the battle. They wanted to be in the battle when it first started.

From Gideon's answer, I learned to have a soft answer when someone is mad. To not compare in a negative way.

[heatherdills]

Gideon asks the Ephraimites to cut off some of the escape routes so as to inflict greater losses on the Midianites. They are angry because Gideon did not call on them to go into battle. Gideon's approach to the Ephraimite's arrogance was that flattery and humility can get you a long way.

[AngelOnLine]

Q2. What does Gideon ask the Ephraimites to do?

To seize the waters of Jordan, and help capture the escaping Midianites.

Why are they so angry?

Because they were not called earlier to help defeat the Midianites.

Who do you learn from Gideon's approach to the Ephraimites' arrogance? (7:24-8:3)

He refused brag about his accomplishment but complimented them on their accomplishments. I need to remember this. Anything I do for the Lord, He gets the glory, not me.

[mairead]

Gideon asked the Ephraimites to block waters of Jordan so the Midianites could not get across and to capture any of the left over enemies. They are angry because they have felt left out that Gideon did not ask them to join in all the battle but expected them to do his clean up operation. Gideon is very diplomatic with them and assures them that their contribution was even greater that his own. He smoothes their feathers with praise. Not every job that is important has to be in the front line or highly visible.

[Helen]

Gideon asks the Ephraimites to come down from the mountains of Ephraim and seize all the waterholes from the Midianites. They did this and in addition captured and put to death two Midianite princes, Oreb and Zeeb.

The Ephraimites were angry that they had not been asked to fight in the original gathering of the army.

It would seem that Gideon wanted one tribe to continue with the farming of crops, especialy wine, so that there would be a harvest for Israel that year. He also asked them to regain the waterholes at a time when the army was exhausted, and the Ephraimites were fresh enough to tackle and defeat Midian.

He reminded them what a contribution he had asked of them and they had performed very well, and showed them that their part was very important and necessary. When he spoke of their achievements they were happy. From feeling excluded, they learned to feel important in the whole scheme of things.

[randi]

Gideon calls on the Ephramites to come down against the Midianites and seize the water's of the Jordan as far as Beth Barah.

Ephramites are jealous of the spoils of victory because Gideon didn't call them out when the fight first started.

We should be peacemakers. Humility and meekness should be two of our characteristics.

[sandieh]

Gideon asks Ephraim to go after Oreb and Zeeb. Which they do and victoriously too. They were a much bigger tribe than Mannasah

and I think God was thinking in terms of their size, when they weren't first called. However when the time was right, they were where they needed to be. And they were angry, after the fact. Whose to say how they might have responded had they been approached before the fact. Pride was really the root of their anger and as was said, desire for the spoils. But Gideon handled it well, with humility and eloquence.

[ladyfields]

gideon asked for their help in cutting off the remaining Midianites. They were angry because the weren't called in the beginning to battle. They wanted the reward from the defeat &their name be glorified for participating.

The lesson is never become arrogant when God's work is being done . Remain humble thankful and let positve words pass your mouth when faced with arrogance. Praise The Lord!!!

[Alicea]

Q2. What does Gideon ask the Ephraimites to do? Why are they so angry? Who do you learn from Gideon's approach to the Ephraimites' arrogance?

Gideon asks the Ephramites to capture two of the Midianite kings and they are angry because they feel slighted that they weren't asked to take part in the whole battle. Sometimes we need to humble ourselves and allow others to be appeased in order to keep peace.

[Commissioned]

Q2. (Judges 7:24-8:3) What does Gideon ask the Ephraimites to do?

Gideon asked the Ephraimite to take up position by the Jordan river and block the escape of the Midianites.

Why are they so angry?

The Ephraimites were angry because Gideon did not call them earlier to be a part of the army that entered the Midianites camp. They wanted to join in on the spoils of victory.

What do you learn from Gideon's approach to the Ephraimites' arrogance? (7:24-8:3)

Gideon showed humility in his answer to the Ephraimites

[Craig]

Q2. (Judges 7:24-8:3) What does Gideon ask the Ephraimites to do? Why are they so angry? What do you learn from Gideon's approach to the Ephraimites' arrogance?

He asks the Ephraimites to cut off the Midianites' escape to the south. They were angry because Gideon did not call upon them earlier for assistance in defeating the Midianites.

Gideon ignores the Ephraimites arrogance and builts them up and thanks them for the outstanding job they did in taking care of the Midianites in the South. He doesn't allow their arrogance to anger him and cause him to say or do things that he will later regret. He exalts their performance, and down plays his and the other tribes performance during the battle. We should apply his approach when we are trying to defuse a potential hostile situation between ourselves and someone else or two parties. It's a great example of problem solving, trouble-shooting, and personnel relations. Anger gets us no where, but humility does.