Judges 8: 1-21 Chose your words wisely

Judges 8 : 1-21

Gideon is in pursuit of Zebah and Zalunna when he reaches the men of Ephraim. What takes place in these first few verses is a word I think for us all. I found this to be a great lesson we should all learn from. Especially myself!
I come from a family of Anger and angry out burst. Even though over the years that has mellowed in my mother, my brother is steeped in it. It was a very big part of who I was until I finally had to learn that anger is not of the Lord and that I have to claim the victory that is mine in Christ Jesus over the anger I’ve learned from my family. It wasn’t and still isn’t an easy thing to overcome I still have to work at it and root myself in the word to overcome the anger that still swells up in me. Thank goodness that God is patient with me and that I have grown leaps and bounds in this area. Where are you in that journey? Still angry over a dispute, a problem , hurt feelings? Let’s see how Gideon sets the example for us

Note in Gideon 8:1 , the men of Ephraim were angry with Gideon for not calling them to battle with him. Gideon could have said a lot of things but instead he chose his words carefully.
• Proverbs 18:19 says “A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a citadel.”
Ladies, have you ever been faced with someone who is a sister or a brother who has gotten angry over a decision you have made. A word you have shared with him/her? Have you ever had to stand for something and you knew your response was not the same as your sister or brother?
Gideon was faced with this, He knew very well why Ephraim wasn’t asked to join him in the battle. However, Gideon chose to respond in such a way that the anger of Ephraim was turned away for a time.
• Ecc. 4:4 says “I have seen that every labor and every skill which is done is the result of rivalry between a man and his neighbor. This too is vanity and striving after wind.”
How many times have we found ourselves in the midst of conflict because of rivalry? This word from Ecc. Says it is vanity and striving after wind!
Gideon was obviously not going to argue with Ephraim about why he and his men were not called on to go to battle. An older man shared with my husband and I when we first started working overseas and he said this to us. When someone copies you or does as you do don’t take offense or become angry because they are “copying” you,” just take it as a great complement that someone would want to do as you are doing.” What I took from that after working with people is this: that God is working through you and that when someone “copies” you, instead of taking offense or being bothered (by your selfish pride) think of it as a complement to God! Besides, if you are walking in the spirit then all you do isn’t your own to claim the reward. It is our Father’s in Heaven.
• Prov. 15:1-2
“a gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
“the tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, But the mouth of fools spouts folly.”
Gideon chose wisely what to say in response to Ephraim. As a result of Gideon’s choice of words and manner in which he response Ephraim’s anger is subdued.

What an example of us. Slow to speak and slow to anger James writes about.

Lord as we go about our day today, may we learn something from this simple story of how Gideon responded to Ephraim. I pray that today we would all be slow to speak and slow to anger and that we would be wise with our responses so to turn anger away. Lord, help us to be wise with our words and not just spew out things and then want to take them back. May be truly honoring in all we say and do.

It is in the precious name of Jesus I pray,
Amen.