Scripture

After Jephthah died, Ibzan from Bethlehem judged Israel. He had thirty sons and thirty daughters.

Observation

The people of Ephraim raise an army to fight Jephthah. They claim to have been overlooked when Jephthah fought the Ammonites. Jephthah replies that he did summon them at the beginning of the dispute, but they refused to come.

Jephthah then gathers the men of Gilead to attack the people of Ephraim. He captures the Jordan River and sets up check points at all the crossing points along the river. Those wanting to cross are required to say the word Shibboleth. The Ephraimites cannot say this word correctly and they are killed.

After Jephthah dies, Ibzan takes over as judge over Israel. After Ibzan, comes Elon, and then Abdon.

Application

Some of the judges were more famous for their offspring than for their actions. Ibzan had thirty sons and thirty daughters. Elon had seventy sons and grandsons. They were very busy men!

It is fair to assume that under these judges Israel enjoyed a time of peace. Nothing is recorded of national significance.

Sometimes life is like that. We enjoy peace and prosperity. Life goes on as normal.

During the peaceful times, we need to make sure that we continue to walk with the Lord. When life is going well, some people find it easy to neglect prayer and worship.

This was certainly the case for Israel. During times of peace, they would gradually turn away from the Lord and start to worship other gods, until the Lord sent an enemy to punish them.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, please help me to stay focused on you, even when times are good. Amen.