What was I able to do compared to you?” At this, their resentment against him subsided

 Judges 7:23-8:9

 Israelites from Naphtali, Asher and all Manasseh were called out, and they pursued the Midianites. Gideon sent messengers throughout the hill country of Ephraim, saying, “Come down against the Midianites and seize the waters of the Jordan ahead of them as far as Beth Barah.”

They also captured two of the Midianite leaders, Oreb and Zeeb. They killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb, and Zeeb at the winepress of Zeeb. They pursued the Midianites and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon, who was by the Jordan.

Now the Ephraimites asked Gideon, “Why have you treated us like this? Why didn’t you call us when you went to fight Midian?” And they challenged him vigorously.

But he answered them, “What have I accomplished compared to you? Aren’t the gleanings of Ephraim’s grapes better than the full grape harvest of Abiezer?  God gave Oreb and Zeeb, the Midianite leaders, into your hands. What was I able to do compared to you?” At this, their resentment against him subsided.

But the officials of Sukkoth said, “Do you already have the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna in your possession? Why should we give bread to your troops?” Then Gideon replied, “Just for that, when the Lord has given Zebah and Zalmunna into my hand, I will tear your flesh with desert thorns and briers.”

From there he went up to Penie and made the same request of them, but they answered as the men of Sukkoth had. So he said to the men of Peniel, “When I return in triumph, I will tear down this tower.”

Why?
Gideon said to Ephraimites with soft words subdued the division of Israelites tribes.

The people of Sukkoth did not believe Gideon will kill the chief of Midianite, so they didn't provide food to them.

Penie is a famous religious place where Jacob had wrestled with the Lord.

The final war needs the population of Israel to come out to pursue the enemies, they were so many, it is impossible to rely on 300 men.

But there are some people in Isreal they did not trust Gideon, they did not cooperate with him.

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基甸邀請以法蓮人來，發生爭吵。以法蓮在山地，較不受外敵入侵。又有兩個聖城，以致驕傲，想要做頭。我們在教會是否也是想要別人聽我的。以法蓮怪罪為什麼剛開始沒有找我?v23敵人潰敗時叫他們來，叫以法蓮人只要守住隘口，用最少力量，達到最大成果。你們要去福音隊為什麼不找我?去探訪為什麼不找我? 我們不要自以為是領導者，這不是耶穌的教導。耶穌取奴僕的形像。我們爭的是什麼?我們服事要學習和人配搭，諒解不強功，只要神的工作能完成。基甸完全沒有提自己的付出，反而讚揚以法蓮的功勞。我們為教會的服事動機為何?成功不必在我。我們是主的僕人還強功勞、居功嗎？

基甸當初只是突襲的作戰，沒有長途追逐的準備，所以糧食不足且疲憊。以色列河東支派兩個城的人。疏歌城，毘努伊勒城。他們怕惹事，怕米甸人回來遭殃，卻不知神更偉大。關鍵時刻選對的那一邊。他們應該站在神的這邊，才不會遭到敵人欺壓。過去就是以色列人離開神所以遭到欺壓。基甸面對以法蓮基甸謙卑，因以法蓮只是想爭領導權，只要神的工作完成，基甸也不想當頭。這兩個城是信仰的問題，以色列人就是離開神，才被米甸人欺壓。所以基甸以嚴厲的口吻對他們說話，因為立場相反，不可妥協。看似明哲保身，其實是錯誤的，不能怕惹小麻煩帶來大麻煩。

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How?

Be humble, for all of the victories are the grace of the Lord. I am a servant of the Lord! Keep going with the Lord.