The Pulpit Commentary — Judges — Section 128

in the pnst and its hostile attitude to Jephthah on the present occasion it plays the traitor. It despised its brethren, and refused to recognise the leader God had chosen, and now it threatened to overthrow the advantage acquired by the Ammonite victory. It became e. public nuisance and a political danger. II. PRIDE IN ITB DIVINE CHASTISEMENT. Jn the various details of its punishment it is hard to repress a certain measure of sympathy for it. There is something always in the humiliation of a proud nature that commands oar sympathy. And yet it was necessary and right that Ephraim should be taught a terrible lesson. 1. That very tribe, membership witli which had been their boast, they would now.fain deny. 2. The taunt of being "fugitives,'' which they had use,d against the Gileadites, is now turned against tliemselves. 3. The martial strength upon which the?; had relied is now effectually and suddenly reduced. So will it be with all who set themselves against Christ and his kingdom. "Upon whomsoever this stone shall £all, it will grind him to powder." If God is against us, or, what is the same thing, we are against God, we may expect patient forbearance, and at first gentle chidingg ; but, if we persist, a terrible retribution. Sin is pride; it refuses to bow to God's will, or to accept the methods of his salvation.-M. Ver. !.-Jealousy. The men of Ephraim are angry with Jephthah because he has repulsed the Ammonites without their aid. I. GREAT MEN ARE COMMONLY ASSAILED BY THE JEALOUSY OF THEIR RIVALS. 1. This is no proof of any failing on the part of those who are thus attacked. While some of the noblest of men have brought -trouble upon their own heads through want of consideration for the petty weaknesses of their inferiors, the best and most con- ciliatory of men have not been able to avoid the envy and misjudgment of meaner natures. It is impossible to please all classes in doing a work of any magnitude and value. They are not always the worthiest men who have the fewest enemies. Christ had more foes than friends. 2. This is no proof of the claims of the rivals of great men. People who cannot improve a work can criticise it. II. THEY WHO ARE BACKWARD IN ENCOUNTERING THE DANGER OF BATTLE ARE EAGER IN COVETING THE HONOUR OF VICTORY. '!'here is no reason to believe that the men of Ephraim showed any willingness to join with Jephthah till after his great success. Weak and selfish people who will not enter into any enterprise until they see it has succeeded are plentiful enough, but they are worthless. The true men are they who will advocate the right cause when it is at a low ebb, when ,t is unpopular, when it seems doomed to failure, when the service of it involves risk and loss. III. THE TASK FROM WHICH MEN SHRINK-DEFOBEHAND LOOK!! EASY AFTEil IT HAS DEEN SUCCESSFULLY PERFORMED. Now that Jephthah has defeated the Ammonites, the men of Ephraim think his work was only a safe road to honour in which they would gladly have accompanied him. When we see the master of some art working with deft skill and unerring accuracy, nothing looks more easy than to do as he does. His very triumph destroys the appearance of the difficulties which lie in its way. ThllB the honours of the artist and the orator, and, in religious matters, of the martyr and the missionary, inspire jealousy in men who think they are cheaply won just on account of that very excellency whi_ch conceals the necessary sacrifice, suffer- ing, or toil by the perfect conquest of it. IV. SELFISH PEOPLE ARE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR OWN SHARE IN THE HONOUR OF A GREAT ENTERPRISE THAN ABOUT THE SUCCESS OF IT. The men of Ephraim do nothing to encourage Jephthah; they are only anxious to share his honour. We see in public life personal ambition overcoming public spirit, in Christian work the honour of the agent exalted above the success of the work. But the patriot should bo supremely anxious for the welfare of hie country, no matter by whom this is securc,1, nnd the Christian should be simply desirous of the triumph of Christ and the extension of Christianity, though he may not share the honours of victory. The jealousy which would hinder the good work of others because we have no share in it is treason to Christ. It is unworthy for the Christian to covet or to hold a post which he knows another will occupy better than himseli-A. 136 THE BOOK OF JUDGES. [en. xn. 8-15.