JU8-3: How To Deal With The Nasty And Unfair Jealousy Of Jerks Who Have Authority Over You

“But the men of Efrayim complained to Gid‘on, ‘Why didn’t you call on us when you went to fight Midyan? Why did you treat us this way?” They were sharp in their criticism.  He answered by saying to them, ‘How can what I have done be compared with what you have done? Aren’t the grapes Efrayim leaves on the vines better than the ones Avi‘ezer harvests?   God handed over to you Midyan’s chiefs, ‘Orev and Ze’ev. What could I do that matches what you did?’ By saying that, he appeased their anger at him.”-Judges 8:1-3

Have you ever had to deal with the nasty and unfair jealousy of someone who held power over you?

Like maybe a jerk boss from hell?

Well our man Gideon shows you exactly how to deal with such idiots when they appear in your life and start breathing down your neck because their fragile and childish egos were bruised.

Recall that’s exactly the situation Gideon found himself in.

He had just won a major battle against the enemies of Israel and the leaders of Ephraim seething with envy went up to Gideon saying…

“Hey man, why didn’t you call on us when you went to fight Midyan? Why did you treat us this way?”

The Scripture goes on to say “they were sharp in their criticism”.

Gideon’s response showed him to be as wise politically as he was militarily.

Gideon shoots back with a common farmer metaphor.

“Aren’t the grapes Efrayim leaves on the vines better than the ones Avi‘ezer harvests?”

What Gideon is implying here is that the leftover grapes from the vines of Ephraim’s gardens are much better than even the finest crops of Avi’ezer.

And Avi’ezer is Gideon’s clan by the way (in case you missed that detail).

Alright, so there’s some major sucking up going on here in classic Middle Eastern style.

Gideon is basically saying…

“The ‘harvest’ of my victory would have been NOTHING without your help homies!”

Gideon then goes on to point out…

“You guys also had the privilege and glory of capturing and killing the two big dog leaders of the Midianites, Orev and Ze’ev”.

Again, the implication is clear.

Gideon is telling his childish accusers that although his victory seemed to be greater and more glorious, it was really nothing compared to what they had achieved.

Which was total booooooooool sheeeeeeeeeeet of course.

Because everyone knew it was Gideon who was the real hero.

And deservedly so.

Nevertheless, Gideon’s face saving tactic worked.

The huffy and puffy egos of the Ephraimites were satisfied and they calmed down.

Gideon made a wise choice in sucking up to the Ephraimites.

Because at the end of the day, they were still the top dog tribe among all the tribes.

And if he had he not allowed Ephraim to save face, it would have been a serious insult and for sure would have led to an inter-tribal war breaking out.

So there you go.

The next time some egomaniac of a boss or some other person of authority over you starts breathing down your neck because you didn’t give him or her full credit for some good work you did, remember this.

Sometimes it’s better to suck up rather than let your own ego get hog wild outta control.

This principle might be more difficult for Westerners than Easterners to understand.

As someone who is familiar with the Asian culture, I see these sucking up tactics being employed around me all the time.

And don’t get me wrong.

I’m not saying you should always suck up.

Assess the circumstances and act accordingly.

Gideon did the wise thing because the victory had already been achieved and he could see right through the childish attitude of his accusers.

What’s interesting is that a few chapters later we’re gonna see Ephraim get all huffy and puffy again about something else.

But this time, the situation won’t end in a pretty way for them.