In Judges 12, we encounter three more judges and reflect on a theme many can relate to: fighting over trivial matters. The daily devotional highlights unnecessary conflict, with Jephthah and the tribes of Israel battling over seemingly insignificant issues. Drawing parallels to modern life, the article encourages us to evaluate and prevent similar fights in our own relationships. Through personal reflections and biblical insights, the author outlines four practical steps to avoid unnecessary disputes and offers a prayer for patience and self-control, urging us to maintain a Christ-like attitude in our daily interactions. To read more about Jephthah, read the daily devotional on Judges 11.
Judges 12 Commentary by Allen J. Huth
In Judges 12, we will be introduced to three more judges in the fifteen verses of this chapter. Do you fight over stupid things? Why? Please read or listen to Judges 12.
In 1983, I had a one-liner concerning Judges 12, “Jephthah gives credit of victory to the Lord.”
Why Do We Argue over Such Stupid Stuff?
In 1995, still working through a job transition, I wrote in my prayers, “For guidance and direction with ABA and CACI.” Concerning Judges 12, I wrote, “Fighting over the stupidest things. Like me and my wife, Terry, do sometimes. Jephthah gives God the credit for his victory.” I leave that comment for a moment and move on to 2016.
Why did the Ephraimites Fight Against Jephthah and the Gileadites?
In 2016, I wrote, “It seems all these people did was fight, conquer each other. For what reason? I guess most of the world doesn’t do this anymore, thankfully. This seems to be a dumb reason to fight. ‘You didn’t ask me to fight with you.’ ‘Yes, I did. And you didn’t come so we went alone. And we won.’ So, two tribes of Israel fight and kill each other, over what?”
I continued, “Jephthah judged Israel for six years and gets forty-seven verses. The next three judges, no-names, judged Israel seven, ten, and eight years, and get seven verses total. None of them appear to have been raised up by God, so only three of eleven were raised up by God. Has the U.S. had judges and presidents not raised up by God? Most likely. Jephthah judged Israel for six years and he died. After him came three more judges, Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon. The only thing said about Ibzan is about his fertility. He had thirty sons and thirty daughters he gave in marriage. He judged Israel seven years and he died. The next judge of Israel does not even get that much ink. Elon judged Israel ten years and he died. And then came Abdon. He was like Ibzan. He had forty sons and thirty grandsons. He judged Israel eight years and he died.” As I mentioned in my journal, three more judges, none of which seem to be raised up or appointed by God.
Why Do People Fight over Trivial Things?
There is not a whole lot to say about this chapter, but let’s focus in on this idea about fighting over stupid things. Like I admitted in my journal, my wife and I fight over stupid things. Surely you do too if you are married. Or you fight with your friends, or you fight with your employer, or your employees, or your family, or your neighbors over the dumbest things. We can learn from this chapter to curb that, to stop fighting over stupid things.
How to Stop Arguing over Little Things?
Rather than fight over stupid things, here are four steps to prevent this from happening in your relationships:
1) Evaluate what you are about to fight over. Is it going to be worth it?
2) If not, disengage. Curb your tongue. Do not say the next antagonizing comment. Let it go.
3) Walk away. Remove yourself from the situation. Doing so prevents the stupid thing from becoming a bigger thing.
4) Maybe, just maybe, even apologize for letting the stupid thing get to you. Say you are sorry rather than get dragged into a fight not worth fighting.
Four steps to avoid fighting over stupid things.
Prayer
Lord, help me not get involved in fighting over stupid things. Help me remember, help me apply these four simple steps: evaluate what I am going to be fighting over, disengage, walk away, or apologize before the fight ever starts. By doing these things, Lord, I maintain my testimony for You. Help me, Lord, to be more Christ-like with my spouse, with my children, with my family, with my friends, with my colleagues at work, with my neighbors.
You remind us in the Book of James, Lord, “And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell” (3:6). You go on to say, “But no human being can tame the tongue.” (3:8), but You can help us and we thank You for that. For Your Word says, again in James, “From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so” (3:10).
Bless me, Lord, and check my spirit the next time I get ready to fight over stupid things. Prevent it. Help me. In Jesus’ name, amen.