Faith and Obedience

⁹ The men of Ephraim, though armed with bows,
    turned back on the day of battle;
¹⁰ they did not keep God’s covenant
    and refused to live by his law.

Ephraim was the most prominent tribe of Israel from the days of Moses to Saul, and the Tabernacle was set up in this territory. Ephraim fails to provide strong leadership. When David became king, the tribe of Judah gained prominence because of David’s faith and obedience. Because of faith and obedience, the Judah became the new place for the Tabernacle. God chose Judah because of faith and obedience. God works through those who are faithful to Him.