Resolution or War

 DEVOTION

JUDGES

RESOLUTION OR WAR

Judges 11: 12-28

12 Then Jephthah sent messengers to the Ammonite king with the question: "What do you have against us that you have attacked our country?" 13 The king of the Ammonites answered Jephthah's messengers, "When Israel came up out of Egypt, they took away my land from the Arnon to the Jabbok, all the way to the Jordan. Now give it back peaceably." 14 Jephthah sent back messengers to the Ammonite king, 15 saying: "This is what Jephthah says: Israel did not take the land of Moab or the land of the Ammonites. 16 But when they came up out of Egypt, Israel went through the desert to the Red Sea and on to Kadesh. 17 Then Israel sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying, 'Give us permission to go through your country,' but the king of Edom would not listen. They sent also to the king of Moab, and he refused. So Israel stayed at Kadesh. 18 "Next they traveled through the desert, skirted the lands of Edom and Moab, passed along the eastern side of the country of Moab, and camped on the other side of the Arnon. They did not enter the territory of Moab, for the Arnon was its border. 19 "Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, who ruled in Heshbon, and said to him, 'Let us pass through your country to our own place.' 20 Sihon, however, did not trust Israel to pass through his territory. He mustered all his men and encamped at Jahaz and fought with Israel. 21 "Then the LORD, the God of Israel, gave Sihon and all his men into Israel's hands, and they defeated them. Israel took over all the land of the Amorites who lived in that country, 22 capturing all of it from the Arnon to the Jabbok and from the desert to the Jordan. 23 "Now since the LORD, the God of Israel, has driven the Amorites out before his people Israel, what right have you to take it over? 24 Will you not take what your god Chemosh gives you? Likewise, whatever the LORD our God has given us, we will possess. 25 Are you better than Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he ever quarrel with Israel or fight with them? 26 For three hundred years Israel occupied Heshbon, Aroer, the surrounding settlements and all the towns along the Arnon. Why didn't you retake them during that time? 27 I have not wronged you, but you are doing me wrong by waging war against me. Let the LORD, the Judge, decide the dispute this day between the Israelites and the Ammonites." 28 The king of Ammon, however, paid no attention to the message Jephthah sent him.

NIV

Although Jephthah endeavored to resolve the conflict peacefully, the king of Ammon paid no attention to the message sent to him. He wanted what he wanted, and he wanted it now. Isn’t that our story at times when we have some conflict with someone, even if it is over some petty little thing? No matter how the other person tries to bring the disagreement to a peaceful conclusion, we just want our way, and that is that, and we are not willing to listen or pay attention to their idea for peace. Jephthah did not even want his way, but only wanted the LORD to judge the dispute. Of course, the king of Ammon had his own little gods of his own making and couldn't care less about the God of Israel, for he did not know him personally, but perhaps only through reputation. Nevertheless, the king of Ammon did not care as he only wanted his way. However, we know the Lord, and we know that conflict, especially between believers, is not His way, although He did fight for Israel against its enemies. But we live in the realm of grace, and Jesus told us to live in peace and harmony with each other. We have been told to build each other up and to live in harmony with one another. We should not be proud or conceited, but do what is right in the eyes of everyone. We have been instructed that as far as it depends on us, live in peace with everyone, to be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate, and humble. If we have any kind of conflict, we are to fix it right away so it does not cause any friction. If we do not resolve any conflict, no matter how small or great, it will only cause harm within the heart of at least one who cannot come to terms with a resolution, but only wants what they want. Let us never allow any disagreement to fester, but resolve it immediately so we can do what is right in the eyes of our Lord. Let us get on with learning from Jesus, and being humble in heart and always wanting His will to be done on earth, that is in our hearts, as it is in heaven, where He is completely sovereign, where His will is always done. We cannot have war, but we must have a resolution.