Judges 21

This chapter continues the incidents which occurred in Judges 20, whereby the other tribes of Israel fought against the tribe of Benjamin, as a result of the Benjamites covering up the perverted acts of the men in Gibeah. Out of hatred, the men of Israel swore an oath at Mizpah to not give any of their daughters to the Benjamites as wife. As a result, the Benjamites would not have any wives or children, making it very hard to continue to family line. The tribe of Benjamin was on the verge of being wiped out!

Once the Israelites were aware of the severity of the consequences, they regretted their overly severe punishment on the Benjamites (21:15). However, the Israelites insisted on fulfilling their foolish vows, mistakenly thinking that this was the right thing to do. They did not inquire of God at all, but relied on their on methods to save the tribe of Benjamin.

In the time of the Judges, when Israel was going through a period of religious and moral darkness, the Bible repeatedly says that “In those days, there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes“. The Israelites did not realise that God was their king, and completely disregarded God’s commandments and laws.

Here, the Israelites used violence to kill the men of Jabesh Gilead and seize their young virgins to be the wives of the Benjamites. In the eyes of God, is it really the case that murder is more forgiveable than breaking their oath? (The inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead are not the enemies of Israel).

Despite their efforts, there were still not enough women to be given to the Benjamites as wives. As a result, the elders of Israel had another immoral idea, and asked the Benjamites to take the woman who danced during the festival of Shiloh as their wives. Compared to breaking their oath, isn’t such violent and immoral behaviour more hated by God?

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After Adam and Eve sinned, sin entered the world. As a result of our sinful nature, it is inevitable that we will have moments of weaknesses and folly. However, taking one wrong step does not mean we will immediately fall. It does not mean we cannot turn back!

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.“
1 John 1:9

In Deuteronomy 30:1-6, after God made a covenant with the Israelites in Moab, God told them that in the future, even if they are cursed for going against and forsaking God, they will still be able to turn back to God and plead with God. And God will definitely have mercy on them and rescue them.

Although the Israelites have fallen into a state of religious decline and moral corruption, they suddenly came to a realisation – one of their own tribes will perish! When they realised this, their anger turned towards their brothers turned into compassion. This may be due to God working in them and reminding them, to let them feel compassion for their brothers. Sadly, they then tried to solve the problem with human means, rather than turning to God and inquiring of Him.

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How many times have we done things not pleasing to God and caused the Holy Spirit in us to be grieved (Eph 4:30)? God loves us and is faithful to us. When He uses the Holy Spirit within us to rebuke us, to make us feel a sense of guilt, do we quench the moving of the Spirit (1 Thess 5:19)? Do we refuse to repent and turn back to God?

Let us take hold of and cherish the opportunity that God has given us to repent. Let us not despise the grace of God and take His mercy for granted.

“Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.“
Isaiah 55:6-7

“Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?“
Rom 2:4

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