The Pride Of Ephraim

by G. Jarvie | Category: General | May 1958

"The crown of pride of the drunkards of Ephraim shall be trodden under foot" (Isaiah 28.8).

A study of the history of Ephraim is an instructive one. Ephraim was the younger son of Joseph, and he inherited the blessing that came to his father. Joshua the leader of Israel was an Ephraimite (Numbers 13. 8); and at Shiloh, in the lot of Ephraim, the tabernacle was pitched when Israel came to the land of Canaan (Joshua 18.1).Of Ephraim the man, we know little. His name means "fruitful." Of Ephraim the tribe, we know much; their character is clearly depicted for us in the Scriptures.

In number they were one of the smallest tribes. At the beginning of the wilderness journey, the men over twenty years of age, numbered forty thousand and five hundred (Numbers 1.88). At the end of the journey they numbered thirty two thousand and five hundred (Numbers 26.87). But though their numbers decreased, their pride increased; and Ephraim's history, except for one brief period (1 Chronicles 12.20), is one long tale of pride and failure.

One of the early references to them is in Joshua 17.14-18. They, along with Manasseh, came to Joshua when he was dividing the land and said, "Why hast thou given me but one lot ... seeing I am a' great people?" They were great in words and in their own estimation, but not in power. They were unable to drive out the Canaanites. Their pride was great, but their faith was small.

In Judges 8 we find them contending with Gideon while he was fighting against the hosts of Midian. "Why hast thou served us thus, that thou calledst us not?" they said. They were more concerned about their own glory than they were of victory over the enemy. They were lovers of self, proud men among the people of God.

In Judges 12 we find them contending with Jephthah after his victory over Ammon. "Wherefore didst thou not call us go with thee? " they said. "When I called you, ye saved me not," replied Jephthah. They had no real desire to fight against the enemy, but they were always ready to contend with their brethren, for their own glory. How typical of the flesh !-" enmities, strife, jealousies"

(Galatians 5.20). It is the same from generation to generation.

In Psalm 78.9 we read "The children of Ephraim, being armed and carrying bows, Turned back in the day of battle."

They were unreliable, because their hearts were not right with God. They were self-centred. In Hosea 4.17 we read "Ephraim is joined to idols; let him alone."

Lower and lower they seemed to sink. Pride, conceit, and love of self had robbed them of their manliness, and now they are given up, joined to their idols. "Ephraim is a cake not turned" (Hosea 7.8). "Ephraim is like a silly dove, without understanding" (7.11). "Ephraim hath hired lovers" (8.9). None loved them in truth. Such is the effect of pride. Could such a people ever be helped? Yes, God will change even them, as He can change us in all our weakness and failure.

"Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols" (Hosea 14.8).

"Ephraim shall be like a mighty man ... their heart shall be glad tn the LORD" (Zechariah 10.7).

What is the lesson of Ephraim for us? It is the lesson of the greatness of humility, and the wretchedness of pride.

"A man's pride shall bring him low;

But he that is of a lowly spirit shall obtain honour" (Proverbs 29.28).

We turn from the story of Ephraim to consider the wonderful words of Paul in Philippians 2.1-18. Read them, please. "Be of the same mind, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind." Is this possible with us? We seem to be so different in so many ways, one from another. It is only when we look away from ourselves and look off unto Jesus, that the impossible is done. "Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." He who filled the highest place, came down and took the lowest place the death of the cross." As we think of Him and love Him, we are able to count each other better than ourselves. In so doing we work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, working out what God works in. Pride destroys, but humility saves our lives. "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble " (1 Peter 5.5).

G. Jarvie | May 1958
General