Chapter Summary

Second Jealousy of Ephriam.

Discussion Questions for Judges, Chapter 12

1. Compare Judges 8:1-3 with 12:1. In what way is the complaint voiced by the men of Ephraim to Jephthah worse than their previous complaint to Gideon?
2. Do you believe that the men of Ephraim are more concerned about their tribe or the entire nation of Israel? How might their attitude be different if they valued the nation above their own tribe?
3. In verse 2, Jephthah begins his response by saying, "My people and I had a bitter conflict with the Ammonites." Who else in Jephthah's life had he previously been in conflict? In what ways do past conflicts continue to affect our lives today?
4. Jephthah claims to have called for help from the men of Ephraim, but the Bible never records this as happening. Do you believe Jephthah was fabricating this request for help? If this is a fabrication, for what reason might he do this?
5. In verse 3, who does Jephthah credit for his success against the Ammonites? Do you believe this is his sincere belief? Why or why not?
6. Does Jephthah's response to the men of Ephraim in verses 2-3 sound conciliatory or defensive? If someone is upset with us, how can a measured response help resolve the problem?
7. Before the battle begins, Jephthah "gathered all of the men of Gilead" (verse 4, CSB). Why do you think that no one tries to stop him from attacking another tribe of Israel?
8. After Jephthah's victorious battle against the men of Ephraim, how did the men of Gilead determine whether the fugitives from battle were from Ephraim in verses 5-6? How was this a reliable way of distinguishing the men of Ephraim from other men?
9. Do you believe that the death of 42,000 men from Ephraim was God's will? Why or why not?
10. Why do you believe that Ibzan had his 30 sons and 30 daughters take spouses from outside of his tribe?

Key Words/Phrase

Envy, v. 1.

Characters

God, Jeptha, Ibzan, Elon, Abdon.

Strong Verse(s)

3