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If honor is authentic, is it necessary that it defend itself?
In defense of their tribal honor and military rank, the men of Ephraim vigorously criticized Gideon for not initially summoning them for the taking of the Midianites (8:1). Their criticism, however, was not expressed to attain the honor of their forefathers or to attain honor before God. The honor they sought was that honor that the world seeks, namely, selfish honor.
It was well known throughout Israel that the younger of Joseph’s sons, Ephraim, meaning “fruitful,” had received the greater blessing from Jacob (Gen. 48:12–22). Such a significant act of familial discrimination undoubtedly was heralded by Ephraim’s descendants in every generation. Nevertheless, one of flawed character, Gideon, a descendant of Manasseh, was chosen of God to save Israel from the Midianites (Judg. 6:14). It was the doubting Gideon who was led by the wisdom of God to order the men into battle and drive out the enemy.
Thus, the author of Judges sets up a contrast between the Ephraimites and the servant of the Lord (cf. Heb. 11:32–34). Upon the slaying of Oreb and Zeeb, the men of Ephraim complained that they had not been summoned previously, and they wrongfully accused Gideon of being a selfish commanding officer, including in the battle only those whom he personally desired. But it was Gideon who thought of himself as the least in all of Israel (Judg. 6:15), who had been brought to his knees in the worship of God while amidst the camp of the Midianites (7:15), and who publicly recognized the men of Ephraim as accomplishing a greater feat than he (8:2).
However, the men of Ephraim were unable to discern the manner in which Gideon was led. They could not see that he was not led by his own vain tactics, but by Him who had promised victory over the enemy. As a result of his divine leading, when the anger of the men of Ephraim raged, Gideon answered them with great diplomatic wisdom, and their anger toward him subsided.
Although Gideon repeatedly failed in his judicial role, he trusted the promises that his covenant God had made to him (6:16). Thus, it was unnecessary for him to defend his honor before the accusers of Ephraim. Indeed, Gideon’s honor was genuine, but it was not his honor that needed to be defended, for he was unable to muster any honor in his own feeble strength (8:23). On the contrary, the honor that Gideon possessed rested solely in Him who was the ultimate and true Judge of Israel, the One whose honor required no defense.
May the church defend her honor not in her own delicate vigor, but by resting assured on the promises of her most honorable Groom (Matt. 16:18).