A Dumb Civil War

Aim: To be true peacemakers—emulating our Lord Jesus Christ.

Doctrine: Sinful pride and ego often lead to dumb civil wars. These conflicts are hardly ''civil,'' and sometimes they are almost pointless.

Exegesis: How dumb civil wars escalate: perceived slights are absolutized (vv. 1-3a); force is chosen over forbearance (vv. 3b-4); vindictive cruelty is exercised (vv. 5-7).

Further application: How true Christians are to thwart dumb civil wars: by committing to fight only over cardinal doctrines (that touch on God's glory), and by showing Christlike restraint in subordinate matters.

Key verse: v. 1 ''Then the men of Ephraim gathered together, crossed over toward Zaphon, and said to Jephthah, 'Why did you cross over to fight against the people of Ammon, and did not call us to go with you? We will burn your house down on you with fire!'''