Gilead then cut Ephraim off from the fords of the Jordan, and whenever Ephraimite fugitives said, 'Let me cross,' the men of Gilead would ask, 'Are you an Ephraimite?' If he said, 'No,' they then said, 'Very well, say "Shibboleth”. If anyone said, "Sibboleth”, because he could not pronounce it, then they would seize him and kill him by the fords of the Jordan. Forty-two thousand Ephraimites fell on this occasion. – Judges 12:5-6
The word “shibboleth” has become a part of the modern vernacular as a sort of password. During World War II, the Germans would recruit English-speaking soldiers to infiltrate U.S. forces in Belgium. To counter-act this effort, American soldiers would start up a conversation about baseball, because only a true American would be able to carry on a discussion of such a pastime. The use of the term stems from this story from Judges 12. Ephraimites could not pronounce the “Sh” and would say “shibboleth”, revealing their true identity.
In today’s Church, some seem to imply pre-requisites for being a good and faithful Christian. The Church has become such a political entity that we have been branded with the stereotype of being disengaged, backwards-thinking conservatives. This stereotype not only exists outside the Church but, to a certain extent, on the inside as well. We discuss hot-button political issues as though they affect our salvation, and draw battle lines in the sand that divide our church. But do we give these issues too much credit? When we arrive at the gates of heaven, do you really think God is going to ask us what our views are on gay marriage? On immigration? On health care reform? Does it really matter whether we believe in a 6-day creation or not?
There’s a quote that comes to mind: “In Essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. In all things, love.”
We can go on and on and list all of the non-essential things we fight and bicker about in life, but the list of essentials is much shorter. I think God is only going to want to know one thing when we get to heaven- Do you have faith in Jesus Christ and believe He died on the cross to save us from our sins?
We need not have the correct answers to everything, or anything for that matter, except that one question, because Faith is the true shibboleth.
This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference. – Romans 3:22