Judges 12:1And the Gileadites took the passages of Jordan before the Ephraimites: and it was so, that when those Ephraimites which were escaped said, Let me go over; that the men of Gilead said unto him, Art thou an Ephraimite? If he said, Nay; 6 Then said they unto him, Say now Shibboleth: and he said Sibboleth: for he could not frame to pronounce it right. Then they took him, and slew him at the passages of Jordan.
This passage of scripture describes for us the experiences of the men of Gilead, and those from the tribe of Ephraim, who got themselves involved in a war of words over a battle that Jephthah had won, through the providence of God. The men of Ephraim had not responded when Jephthah had asked them for help, and so he went ahead by the grace of God and had smitten the children of Ammon with a great slaughter, after which the men of Ephraim showed up, as if ready for battle. Thus, when the Gileadites were threatened by the tribe of Ephraim, they gathered themselves together in troops, and smote the Ephraimites.
Now, when Ehphraim saw that he was defeated, he resorted to stratagem in order to have safe passage back over Jordan, but the men of Gilead came up with a simple screening process, which involved the proper pronunciation of the word, Shibboleth! It's amazing what a huge difference one letter could make, for the Ephraimites could not pronounce the "H" in the word, and that simple error in diction, cost them their lives.
In our day, there are those who have been at the forefront of the spiritual battle that is being waged in high and low places, and there are those Christians who have dared to stand up against the powers that be, in the defense of marriage, as originally ordained of God. But there are others who have jumped on the band wagon, and who also lift their voices in remonstrance against the evil that has overspread the land. Now, no one must judge the motives of others, for there are sincere Christians in every denomination, and God has promised, that through the outpouring of His Holy Spirit, many of those who sit in darkness, will soon come to the light of truth, and will take their stand with the remnant, who keep the commandments of God, and have the faith of Jesus.
However, it is a fact that some who are now vocal in their opposition to same-sex marriage, are also sticklers for Sunday worship, and vouch for the institution of Sunday blue laws, contrary to what the Bible teaches. Thus the question is whether they will say "Shibboleth", when the spiritual question is asked, for in the days that are just ahead, all those who rank themselves under the banner of Christ must be willing and able to frame the whole word, meaning that a partial acceptance of some of the principles of God's law will not do, only a pronunciation of the entire word, by obedience to all of God's commandments, will warrant them safe passage over spiritual Jordan.
Christ teaches us that one jot or tittle shall in no wise pass from the law till all be fulfilled, and the apostle James reiterates the same truth by saying that if we offend in one point, we are guilty of all. Thus, just as it was important for the men of Ephraim to pronounce the entire word, just so it's important that not one letter or word be omitted from the law of God, for nothing but the whole law will suffice, especially in these days of lawlessness in which we now live. Papal Rome could not say Shibboleth, for they have removed many words from several of the Ten commandments, and if repentance and confession is not made, a safe passage over Jordan cannot be guarantied.
Let us therefore seek for a well balanced approach between the intellectual and the practical aspects of God's law, for although we are saved by grace through faith, yet if we hold God's law in contempt, we cannot reasonably expect to pass through the pearly gates, because the foundation of His government rests squarely upon the law of love. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which enjoins the keeping of the entire law, so that we may be able to say with confidence, "Shibboleth", whenever we're asked to. Let's read:
Matthew 5:17Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word. "Good night" and God bless!