Streaming MP3 Audio - Message 1
Streaming MP3 Audio - Message 2
Streaming MP3 Audio - Message 3
Streaming MP3 Audio - Message 4
Judges 19-21
Part I – THE PROBLEM REVEALED
I. Introduction.
A. The threat of homosexuality is so bad that God calls homosexuality an abomination before God and placed such a severe curse upon it that governments are commanded to destroy all homosexuals in order to preserve the nation.
1. Leviticus 18:22 – Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.
2. Leviticus 20:13 – If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
B. Definition of abomination.
1. God calls an abomination a disgusting thing.
2. It is a terrible wickedness, worse than a sin, which according to I John 3:4: …for sin is the transgression of the law.
C. It is the duty of governments, not individuals, to destroy homosexuals.
1. Leviticus 18:24-30 – The curse of God is upon all nations that allow the abominations mentioned in Leviticus 18.
2. It is not just the nation of Israel, or Christian people that are under this curse, but all nations, and all peoples.
a. Verse 24,25 - Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you: 25 And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants.
b. The natural consequences of homosexuality will cause the nation to be destroyed, and the inhabitants cast out.
c. God does not have to do anything, the nature of homosexuality is so wicked, the land itself will vomit out the inhabitants.
3. Leviticus 18 speaks of the casting out of the inhabitants of the land, not just that God will cast out Israel if they commit these abominations.
a. Verse 25 - …the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants.
1.) The land itself – as if God has nothing at all to do with the casting out of the inhabitants – although we know God is in charge of everything, and nothing happens without his knowledge, permission and authority.
2.) Vomiteth out her inhabitants – a graphic description of sickness, which the body must rid itself of in order to retain life.
b. Verse 27 - (For all these abominations have the men of the land done, which were before you, and the land is defiled;)
1.) Genesis 15:16 – But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.
a.) The prophecy given to Abraham concerning the way the Amorites are continuing to sin against God.
b.) They will continue to sin against God for another 450 years, as it is 450 years from the promise given to Abraham in Genesis 15 until Israel conquers the promised land.
1) It is 1896 BC in Genesis 15:16.
2) It is 1451 BC when Israel begins to conquer the land of promise.
3) It takes Israel approximately 5 years to conquer the part of the land of promise they conquer. (They do not conquer all the land God gave to them.)
c.) The knowledge of God, the foreknowledge of God and the longsuffering of God upon the heathen and sin is clearly shown in this fact.
c. Verse 28 - …as it spued out the nations that were before you.
1.) Vomiting out sickness is described in verse 25.
2.) Spewing out refers to the forceful ejection of sickness as in a large stream that cannot be restrained.
d. Verse 29 - …even the souls that commit them shall be cut off from among their people.
1.) Never forget that homosexuals have souls, which shall be cut off from among their people.
2.) It is not our part to be vengeful toward homosexuals, because they have souls, which will spend eternity somewhere.
3.) 1 Corinthians 6:11 – And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
a.) It is good to witness to homosexuals because some of them might be among the elect.
b.) We do not know who the elect are, and it may be repulsive to us to think there might be God’s precious elect among them.
c.) We must remember that all are dead in trespasses and sins.
II. Bill O’Reily speaks about a great cultural upheaval taking place in the United States. It is a cultural upheaval caused by religious rebellion.
A. Some have said that homosexuals are very rich, or they would not be able to have all the influence over our society they have.
1. Homosexuals are not more than 1 or 2 percent of the population, yet they are able to make us think at least 10% of people are homosexual.
2. They are able to influence legislatures, and worming themselves into boy’s clubs and work to change times and laws such as the definition of marriage.
3. In Sweden, I think it is Sweden, there is a political movement to make it illegal to oppose homosexuals.
4. It is not that homosexuals are so rich, but they are able to influence those that are rich.
5. They are able to control the purse strings of our government, using our tax dollars to press their agendas.
B. It is no accident that "hate crimes" have come before our legislatures these days.
1. It is a "protection" movement on the part of homosexuals.
2. The political process necessary to originate such laws for the protection of a wicked people is very strong, stronger than we realize.
3. The "hate crimes" movement is directly against the Word of God, as God commands all governments to destroy homosexuals, for homosexuals will destroy the nation if left to their own devices.
C. Why are so many people willing to back homosexuals, and seemingly afraid to speak out against them?
1. It is fear.
2. Bill O’Reily spoke of the reason the common people in Iraq do not speak out against their wicked leadership.
3. He said it is fear.
4. Anytime any person speaks out against their wicked leadership, they next thing that happens is they have a bullet in the back of their heads.
5. It doesn’t take long for word to get around, therefore people are greatly afraid to say what they are really thinking.
6. I believe it is the same way with homosexuals.
7. As a group, they have great strength, and people are afraid to face up to them.
8. Senator Edward Kennedy said that anybody that is against gay marriage is a bigot.
9. But, I believe, he has done enough in the past that needs to be hid from public view, that homosexuals know about and will expose, that he is afraid to stand against them.
10. He is afraid of losing his position and power and influence.
III. It seems likely this story takes place shortly after the death of Joshua, as there was no king or leader in Israel, and Phinehas was the high priest, Judges 20:28.
A. This Phinehas is the grandson of Aaron. Exodus 6:25 – And Eleazar Aaron’s son took him one of the daughters of Putiel to wife; and she bare him Phinehas:
1. Numbers 25:7-11 – It is this Phinehas who turned the wrath of God away from Israel during the rebellion about Balaam.
2. It is important to note that Phinehas is the high priest because we can understand that homosexuality was prevalent even during the time shortly after the death of Joshua.
B. In Joshua 24, Joshua urged the people to forsake false gods and follow God Almighty, which they agreed to do. Joshua 24:31 states, And Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that overlived Joshua, and which had known all the works of the LORD, that he had done for Israel.
1. It was likely shortly after the death of Joshua that the people gathered together to follow the Lord and destroy homosexuals out of the land.
2. If they had not done that, God, more than likely, would have destroyed the entire nation of Israel, as the scourge of homosexuality gradually filled the land.
C. I think it is entirely possible that some homosexuals were involved in capturing the promised land.
1. Some might think that would be impossible, but remember that Jesus Christ choose Judas to be an apostle, to be a member of the first church, and to be the treasurer of the first church.
2. It is very plausible that some homosexuals (their identity kept secret, of course) marched around the city of Jericho and saw the walls crumble.
3. Their judgment is worse upon them, because they saw the works of God, yet refused to worship and service him, instead yielding themselves to their wicked lusts.
IV. It is important to note that the Levite cutting his concubine into pieces and sending her body parts to the various parts of the nation is not the problem.
A. As much as we might dislike the Levite, believing he is cold-hearted, cruel and unfeeling, he is not the problem.
1. He cut up his dead concubine to bring the attention of the nation to the horrible crime committed by the homosexual perverts of Gibeah.
2. In the society in which we live, the Levite would be considered horrible beyond expression and punished for casting his concubine into the cruel hands of the homosexual perverts, then cutting her body into various parts.
B. The homosexuals would go free, and would be considered good citizens, because the citizens of Gibeah and the tribe of Benjamin was solidly behind them.
1 And it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite sojourning on the side of mount Ephraim, who took to him a concubine out of Bethlehemjudah.
The Levite is sojourning on the side of Mount Ephraim instead of living in the place recently given to him. Here is a man in rebellion against God’s orders shortly after having received those orders. He is not living in the city given to his family, rather chooses to "do his own thing".
His name is never given. It may be God does not know his name, even though he is of the Levite family. There are many who may be associated with the people of Christ without knowing, or known of Christ, themselves.
He is not married to this woman. The Bible states she is his concubine. There is a legal relationship, but not one of honorable marriage.
2 And his concubine played the whore against him, and went away from him unto her father’s house to Bethlehemjudah, and was there four whole months.
This woman is wrong to play the whore, or to give herself to another man. I suppose the Levite confronted his concubine and the rebelled against him and left him for her father’s house. It is a shame that she felt she would be welcomed in her father’s house after betraying her husband. It is fit for all parents to realize the sinful tendencies of their children and never give them an excuse to return home unjustly.
It is wrong for the woman to play the whore with another man, but her wicked lusts will soon reap more crop than she expected or desired. In verse 25, the woman was turned over to the homosexuals by her "husband" and they misused her all night until she had not strength to live. James 1:14,15 states, But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
The woman was making no move to return to her "husband", and apparently remained welcome in her father’s house.
3 And her husband arose, and went after her, to speak friendly unto her, and to bring her again, having his servant with him, and a couple of asses: and she brought him into her father’s house: and when the father of the damsel saw him, he rejoiced to meet him.
The "husband" went to retrieve his concubine, and she brought him into her father’s house, apparently happy to see him.
4 And his father in law, the damsel’s father, retained him; and he abode with him three days: so they did eat and drink, and lodged there.
The father in law did not want his son in law to leave, therefore refrained him from leaving.
5 And it came to pass on the fourth day, when they arose early in the morning, that he rose up to depart: and the damsel’s father said unto his son in law, Comfort thine heart with a morsel of bread, and afterward go your way.
The father in law restrains his son in law from leaving on the fourth day.
6 And they sat down, and did eat and drink both of them together: for the damsel’s father had said unto the man, Be content, I pray thee, and tarry all night, and let thine heart be merry.
7 And when the man rose up to depart, his father in law urged him: therefore he lodged there again.
8 And he arose early in the morning on the fifth day to depart: and the damsel’s father said, Comfort thine heart, I pray thee. And they tarried until afternoon, and they did eat both of them.
The father in law restrains his son in law from leaving on the fifth day.
9 And when the man rose up to depart, he, and his concubine, and his servant, his father in law, the damsel’s father, said unto him, Behold, now the day draweth toward evening, I pray you tarry all night: behold, the day groweth to an end, lodge here, that thine heart may be merry; and to morrow get you early on your way, that thou mayest go home.
The father in law offers the same reasoning as before, but the Levite feels an increasing urge to leave return home.
10 But the man would not tarry that night, but he rose up and departed, and came over against Jebus, which is Jerusalem; and there were with him two asses saddled, his concubine also was with him.
Jebus is Jerusalem, but the Jews do not inhabit that part of Jerusalem. See Judges 1:21.
11 And when they were by Jebus, the day was far spent; and the servant said unto his master, Come, I pray thee, and let us turn in into this city of the Jebusites, and lodge in it.
The servant desired to spend the night in Jebus.
12 And his master said unto him, We will not turn aside hither into the city of a stranger, that is not of the children of Israel; we will pass over to Gibeah.
Judges 1:21 states, And the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem; but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem unto this day. This explanation reveals why the Levite did not want to spend the night in Jebus.
13 And he said unto his servant, Come, and let us draw near to one of these places to lodge all night, in Gibeah, or in Ramah.
The Levite wants to go to a place they trust.
Gibeah and Ramah is approximately 1 hour away or 4 miles.
Both Gibeah and Ramah are cities of Benjamin, Joshua 18:25, and 19:2,36.
14 And they passed on and went their way; and the sun went down upon them when they were by Gibeah, which belongeth to Benjamin.
Joshua 21:17 – Gibeah is a Levitical city. It seems strange to me that the Levite was willing to stop overnight in a Levitical city because he trusted it over Jebus, but was unwilling to live in the city God have his family.
The crime that is to be committed in Gibeah is terrible, but its wickedness is elevated because Gibeah is a Levitical city. Crimes are always bad, but crimes committed in a place of worship, which should be a place of safety from the wickedness of this world is worse. Crimes in places of worship are unexpected, especially grievous, therefore the more treacherous, and stabbing to the conscience. It is bad to be mugged in the streets, even dangerous streets, but it is especially grievous to be mugged in a place noted for safety.
15 And they turned aside thither, to go in and to lodge in Gibeah: and when he went in, he sat him down in a street of the city: for there was no man that took them into his house to lodging.
Even though no man took them into his house, as we will see in verse 22, there were those that saw them and decided to "know" them.
16 And, behold, there came an old man from his work out of the field at even, which was also of mount Ephraim; and he sojourned in Gibeah: but the men of the place were Benjamites.
The name of the old man is never mentioned. It may be that God does not know his name as he does not belong to him.
The old man was apparently an honest hard working individual, as he worked all day in the field, and did not come to his home except it was dark.
It is interesting that the old man was also of Mount Ephraim, but did not live there in the land God gave to his family, instead moved to another place. Mount Ephraim was apparently not a Levitical city, but Gibeah was. I do not know why the old man moved to a different place, but I doubt any reason he would give would be good enough for God. The land was divided by Joshua according to God’s decree, but it seems there were many who refused to submit themselves to the decrees of God, choosing instead to move around where they desired, as they though they knew better than God about their individual situation.
I wonder if this old man died in the battle in chapter 20. There is no record one way or the other, as far as I can tell. One thing for sure, there is often dire consequences of any action we take. We ought to be sure we do exactly what God tells us to do, or we will face the evil consequences of our mistaken decisions.
17 And when he had lifted up his eyes, he saw a wayfaring man in the street of the city: and the old man said, Whither goest thou? and whence comest thou?
And he said unto him, We are passing from Bethlehemjudah toward the side of mount Ephraim; from thence am I: and I went to Bethlehemjudah, but I am now going to the house of the LORD; and there is no man that receiveth me to house.
The Levite only thinks he is not taken notice of. Homosexuals have noticed him, and will soon visit with him.
19 Yet there is both straw and provender for our asses; and there is bread and wine also for me, and for thy handmaid, and for the young man which is with thy servants: there is no want of any thing.
The conversation between the old man and the Levite reveals their commonality, therefore the old man felt very comfortable to invite the Levite into his house for the night.
20 And the old man said, Peace be with thee; howsoever let all thy wants lie upon me; only lodge not in the street.
It is interesting that the old man advised the Levite to not lodge in the streets. This shows he was aware of the homosexuals and the activities that took place in the night while honest people slept. If these homosexuals would work as they should, they would not have the energy to commit their vile deeds in the night.
Genesis 19:1-3 – Lot advised the angels that came to Sodom to not lodge in the streets, because Lot knew all the wickedness that happened at night.
It is doubtful the old man was afraid for himself, as he came in from the fields as the day ended. He was like many of the people then, who worked in the day time, and slept in the night.
Parents ought to understand the wickedness that takes place at night, and demand that their children be home in the night. There is seldom much good that happens in the wee hours of the morning.
21 So he brought him into his house, and gave provender unto the asses: and they washed their feet, and did eat and drink.
22 Now as they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, certain sons of Belial, beset the house round about, and beat at the door, and spake to the master of the house, the old man, saying, Bring forth the man that came into thine house, that we may know him.
In the course of the evening, before it got really late, as working people often go to bed before it is very late, certain men of the city, a minority of the citizenship, surrounded the house and beat at the door, demanding the old man to bring forth the Levite that they might know him. There are some who would say the homosexuals were only wanting to investigate the Levite to make sure he was not some spy sent as a forerunner of an enemy, but the word "know" is used in the following scripture to reflect sexual knowledge.
Genesis 19:8 – Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof.
Numbers 31:17 – Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him.
Numbers 31:35 – And thirty and two thousand persons in all, of women that had not known man by lying with him.
The homosexuals are interested only in the Levite. It is apparent they saw the Levite sitting in the streets, accompanied with the woman and the servant, but they only want the Levite. I do not know why they do not want the servant, unless the servant is a woman. We often visualize things erroneously. We might visualize the servant as a man, who accompanied the Levite to retrieve his concubine. But the Levite might have bought an older woman with him, so his concubine would feel safe and secure returning with him. The Levite might have desired this older woman to accompany him, as he threw quite a fit, perhaps beating his concubine when he discovered she had played the whore against him. This is conjecture on my part.
It is interesting that none of the children of Beliah approached the Levite during the day time, or when they were alone. They waited until it was dark, and they had gathered together, then they came as a group. Cowards are often brave when they are in a group, but show their cowardice when alone. Christians must shine as Christians when they are alone, not just when they are gathered together.
Notice the force of this exchange. The homosexuals are not making a suggestion, but surround the house and beat at the door. The tell the old man to bring forth the Levite unto them.
23 And the man, the master of the house, went out unto them, and said unto them, Nay, my brethren, nay, I pray you, do not so wickedly; seeing that this man is come into mine house, do not this folly.
The old man knew exactly what the homosexuals wanted, and tried to talk them out of their desires, calling it folly.
24 Behold, here is my daughter a maiden, and his concubine; them I will bring out now, and humble ye them, and do with them what seemeth good unto you: but unto this man do not so vile a thing.
This verse clearly reveals the real motive of the homosexuals. This verse answers any honest inquiry to those who believe the homosexuals only wanted to investigate the Levite to make sure he was not a spy.
It is a most horrible thing for the old man to offer his maiden daughter (as far as he knew she was a virgin) to this unruly crowd. I cannot imagine the fear of the young woman, or the loss of respect she has for her dad who would willingly offer her for the safety of a one-night traveling stranger. It is possible for good people to dwell among very wicked people. We might put everybody into a single lump, but God does not. God help us to see good people who desire to be right with God, even though they are dwelling among unbelievers and very wicked people.
The old man tries to appease the homosexuals, but they will not be appeased. The truth is: nothing will appease them, except their vile desires are granted. And they will continue in their evil pursuits until death. Genesis 19:11 states these homosexuals continued to try to find the door even after the angels had stuck them with blindness.
25 But the men would not hearken to him: so the man took his concubine, and brought her forth unto them; and they knew her, and abused her all the night until the morning: and when the day began to spring, they let her go.
The old man did not give his daughter to the homosexuals, but the man gave his concubine to them.
It is hard to believe the Levite would do such a cold-hearted thing as turn his concubine over to this wicked crowd. They would rather have a man to commit their sins with, but if they cannot
have a man, they will willingly take a woman and abuse her.
I would think the Levite would have a hard time sleeping that night, but from the following scriptures, he seems to have had a good nights sleep.
26 Then came the woman in the dawning of the day, and fell down at the door of the man’s house where her lord was, till it was light.
The abused woman had no place to go, so she returned to the old man’s house as the homosexuals left her alone and went to their individual homes.
She lay at the door of the old man’s house until it was light, which I assume is early in the morning. I suppose anybody that happened to walk by would see her lying there. They would probably understand what had happened to her, but there is no record of any coming to her rescue.
27 And her lord rose up in the morning, and opened the doors of the house, and went out to go his way: and, behold, the woman his concubine was fallen down at the door of the house, and her hands were upon the threshold.
This passage indicates the Levite was willing to go on his way without the concubine, but he found her on the doorstep. Apparently, he ate his breakfast while the woman lay at the doorstep with her hands on the threshold. He was already packed and ready to leave when he discovered his weak concubine. Every description is given to solicit sympathy for this poor woman, but the Levite was very cold hearted toward her.
28 And he said unto her, Up, and let us be going. But none answered. Then the man took her up upon an ass, and the man rose up, and gat him unto his place.
The Levite demands the woman get up and get going, but she was too weak, therefore the Levite picked her up and placed her upon the ass, and they begin their days travels. There is no record of the Levite waiting until she was stronger to travel, but evidently started traveling immediately. Apparently, the concubine was alive when the Levite put her on the ass, but she died sometime during the trip, or shortly after returning.
29 And when he was come into his house, he took a knife, and laid hold on his concubine, and divided her, together with her bones, into twelve pieces, and sent her into all the coasts of Israel.
It is hard to imagine the cold-heartedness of the Levite to cut the concubine into pieces, divide her body into parts, and ship it out to the various parts of Israel.
30 And it was so, that all that saw it said, There was no such deed done nor seen from the day that the children of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt unto this day: consider of it, take advice, and speak your minds.
Part II
CHAPTER 20 – THE SOLUTION
1 Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was gathered together as one man, from Dan even to Beersheba, with the land of Gilead, unto the LORD in Mizpeh.
It is good that Israel is gathered together as one man. See also verse 8, and verse 11. In Judges 21:5, the Israelites made an agreement when they first gathered together at Mizpeh that any that did not come to fight the Benjamites would be put to death. See my comments on that verse.
2 And the chief of all the people, even of all the tribes of Israel, presented themselves in the assembly of the people of God, four hundred thousand footmen that drew sword.
Notice there seems to be no grief for the sin of the children of Belial, or the sin of homosexuality. The Israelites appears with their swords, showing they were ready to stop the sin and express the vengeance of the Lord on the wickedness. But it makes me wonder if the Israelites were more ready to express their vengeance instead of the vengeance (or forgiveness) of the Lord.
Do we compromise or establish the truth if we give an opportunity for repentance? Israel gave the Benjamites no opportunity to repent, only to die – therefore they fought.
3 (Now the children of Benjamin heard that the children of Israel were gone up to Mizpeh.) Then said the children of Israel, Tell us, how was this wickedness?
The children of Benjamin heard about the oncoming army, but did nothing at all to stop it, or to repent of their wickedness.
The Israelites had heard some of the story of the dead concubine it is sure, but they desired to hear the story again from the lips of the Levite. They wanted to be sure of his story, to judge for themselves before they went into battle.
4 And the Levite, the husband of the woman that was slain, answered and said, I came into Gibeah that belongeth to Benjamin, I and my concubine, to lodge.
5 And the men of Gibeah rose against me, and beset the house round about upon me by night, and thought to have slain me: and my concubine have they forced, that she is dead.
6 And I took my concubine, and cut her in pieces, and sent her throughout all the country of the inheritance of Israel: for they have committed lewdness and folly in Israel.
7 Behold, ye are all children of Israel; give here your advice and counsel.
8 And all the people arose as one man, saying, We will not any of us go to his tent, neither will we any of us turn into his house.
It is good the people are as one man because this plague of homosexuality will only be defeated when there is exceptional unity. Verse 1, and verse 11 also speaks of the unity of the people against this great wickedness.
9 But now this shall be the thing which we will do to Gibeah; we will go up by lot against it;
I do not know if this decision was made with the consent of God or not. It is apparent from verse 18 that God honored the decision, choosing Judah to go first to the battle.
It seems likely to me, understanding what "the lot" means is that Israel was leaving the decision to go to battle with the Lord, along with all the other particulars of that decision.
10 And we will take ten men of an hundred throughout all the tribes of Israel, and an hundred of a thousand, and a thousand out of ten thousand, to fetch victual for the people, that they may do, when they come to Gibeah of Benjamin, according to all the folly that they have wrought in Israel.
If Israel had 400,000 men that drew sword, it seems to this passage they had a total army of 440,000. There would be 40,000 men supplying victual for the fighters.
11 So all the men of Israel were gathered against the city, knit together as one man.
See verse 8, and also Judges 21:5.
12 And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, What wickedness is this that is done among you?
This is a good question, and should be address toward the Benjamites. But the remainder of the statement gives no room for repentance from dead works toward a loving God.
It is good for the Israelites to be jealous for God’s righteousness, but God will fight his own battles, and fight them better than we can. Israel gave the children of Belial and Benjamin no opportunity to repent, therefore they fight.
Would the children of Belial and the homosexuals repent? We will never know, for they will die on the third day.
13 Now therefore deliver us the men, the children of Belial, which are in Gibeah, that we may put them to death, and put away evil from Israel. But the children of Benjamin would not hearken to the voice of their brethren the children of Israel:
There is no appeal to the Benjamites or the children of Belial to repent and turn to God for forgiveness. There is plenty of judgment here, but it might be only the vengeance of the people of Israel.
Do we compromise or establish God’s truth if we give opportunity to repent?
Why didn’t Benjamin listen? Could they not see the vast army gathered together against them? 26,000 to 400,000 is 1 to 15. They are either very brave, or very determined. It seems to me the Benjamites will fight to retain their wicked lifestyle, just as Godly people should fight to retain their Godly lifestyle.
It must be noted that Benjamin was to deliver the children of Belial, not all the homosexuals of the land. Homosexuals are not servants of the most high God, regardless of what they say. I Corinthians 6:11 states that when homosexuals are saved, they cease being homosexuals, just as drunkards cease being drunkards when they are saved.
Why would the Benjamites not deliver the children of Belial against such formidable odds?
It have a notion that times have not changed and people have not changed.
As it was in the days in Judges 19-21, it is the same today.
There is a fear that Christians have of standing against that which God hates, because we want to be liked by men and are afraid of being persecuted.
Speaking up against sin sometimes hurts our pocketbook, hurting us on the job, therefore we think it best to not make "waves".
Godly people often have the tendency to let loud speaking wicked people continue speaking loudly, while we quietly go about our business.
While we might disagree with their wickedness, we do not want to disrupt our lives, or the lives of others by saying anything about wickedness.
Political correctness might have been in effect. Just as political correct speech or so called "hate speech" make it illegal to speak against that which God hates.
It is likely some of the Benjamites, as some today, believe the children of Belial have economic power over their jobs.
There is no record that Benjamin ever asked God anything about what to do, how to do it, or anything. It seems Benjamin did what seemed best to them – doing that which was right in their own eyes. This attitude caused them a lot of trouble, finally destroying almost the entire tribe.
This story would be completely different if Benjamin had only done what God expected them to do instead of doing that which was right in their own eyes. 40,000 Israelites and 25,100 Benjamites would be alive. There would be no grieving widows, no grieving orphans. The three day battle would not have been fought, the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead would be alive. All Benjamin had to do was face the truth about sodomites and worshippers of false gods, but they would not: therefore much destruction came quickly.
14 But the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together out of the cities unto Gibeah, to go out to battle against the children of Israel.
It is important to stand for that which is right, even if we must disagree with our families to do it.
15 And the children of Benjamin were numbered at that time out of the cities twenty and six thousand men that drew sword, beside the inhabitants of Gibeah, which were numbered seven hundred chosen men.
It seems inconceivable that 26,000 men would willingly fight against 400,000 (odds are 15/1). But this is exactly what happened.
16 Among all this people there were seven hundred chosen men lefthanded; every one could sling stones at an hair breadth, and not miss.
These 700 have great skill, but they will use their skill in the wrong way. They will eventually be overcome, not by the skill of the Israelite army, but by the decree of God.
Proverbs 21:31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.
17 And the men of Israel, beside Benjamin, were numbered four hundred thousand men that drew sword: all these were men of war.
It appears from this verse that the odds against Benjamin was 360,000 (400,000 less the 40,000 supplies of victuals of verse 10) to 26,000 or about 15 to 1, if all Israel went to battle every day. If only the tribe of Judah went up the first day, I do not know what the odds were, but they would be much more evenly divided, I am sure.
Israel might have the larger number of warriors, but they will suffer defeat, perhaps because they are depending on their just and right cause and their vast numbers. True victory is in Christ, and the power of God, not whether our cause is right and good, and regardless of the number of people involved.
18 And the children of Israel arose, and went up to the house of God, and asked counsel of God, and said, Which of us shall go up first to the battle against the children of Benjamin? And the LORD said, Judah shall go up first.
It is always good to be careful what you ask God for. Make sure God is leading into victory, not into defeat.
It is likely Judah led the way into battle, leading all 360,000 Israelites against Benjamin.
19 And the children of Israel rose up in the morning, and encamped against Gibeah.
20 And the men of Israel went out to battle against Benjamin; and the men of Israel put themselves in array to fight against them at Gibeah.
21 And the children of Benjamin came forth out of Gibeah, and destroyed down to the ground of the Israelites that day twenty and two thousand men.
On day one of the battle, 22,000 Israelites die. Subtracting 22,000 from 360,000, there should be approximately 338,000 Israelites fighting Benjamin the next day. There is no record that any of Benjamin died in the battle. This great victory would make the Benjamites very happy, excited and more sure of their cause.
Why would God give them this great victory? As a means of repentance for Benjamin. To give Benjamin time to consider that they are protecting homosexuals, and also destroying their brothers in the process. Do they expect to kill all the Israelites in order to protect their homosexual friends? Yes, and they will, if they have enough power from God to do it. God wants us to understand the determination of these wicked people to destroy, and not to build up anything.
Why would God allow 22,000 Israelites die when they were right in their pursuits? It is possible to do a right thing the wrong way. Remember Judges 17-21 all take place shortly after the death of Joshua, when some were very faithful to God, knowing what they ought to do, yet they did things their own way. See Judges 17:6, 18:1, 19:1, 21:25 which records there was no king in all Israel, but every man did that which was right in their own eyes. These people wanted to do right, but they often went about it all wrong, because they did what was right in their own eyes.
Some might think the Israelites had great and many sins among themselves, which would be purified from the dross. But what is the sin? It is not mentioned. The friends of Job tried to persuade him of his many sins, but was unable to do so because Job had none of the sins they thought he had.
Israel did not ask God if they should go against Benjamin, they asked who should go first. It appears plain that they should go against Benjamin because of their grievous sin, but they did not ask God’s permission to destroy their brothers in Christ. Sometimes it seems obvious to us that certain things need to be done, but it is always good to ask God whether what we believe is obvious should be done. God knows the end of things, and God knows the heart of every person. He is able to direct every battle, but he might direct it in a way that is not obvious to us. Sometimes good faithful people of God get in God’s way of doing things because we do that which is obvious to us.
22 And the people the men of Israel encouraged themselves, and set their battle again in array in the place where they put themselves in array the first day.
God did not promise a victory in the battle. When 22,000 Israelites die on the first day of battle, there seems to be no complaint to God, but the people encourage themselves that they are doing a good thing, and ready themselves for the next day’s battle.
It appears Israel encouraged themselves and set the battle in array for the next day before they wept before God and asked counsel of him about the battle the next day. This is error, and leads to the defeat the next day. It would be better to ask counsel of God concerning whether they should fight Benjamin before they encourage themselves and set the battle again in array.
23 (And the children of Israel went up and wept before the LORD until even, and asked counsel of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up again to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother? And the LORD said, Go up against him.)
It is good for Israel to go before the LORD, but it would have been better for them to go through Phinehas, who is their high priest. Israel failed to observe proper authority, even though, according to verse 28, the ark of the covenant was there, along with Phinehas, who stood before it. Often today, we decide we are going to go directly to God, without the benefit of church authority. God will allow some of that, but true answers are always found in the church Christ organized during his personal ministry, and which he has kept on this earth for our benefit and his eternal glory.
I think the weeping of Israel was for those lost in the battle, and for their families, as well as their having to fight their brother, Benjamin.
It is easy to see the concern of Israel in killing their brother. It is also remarkable that Benjamin seems to have no such concern for their brothers, but will continue to fight until all Israel is killed. This is the way of the children of Belial.
Compare "asking counsel" of the LORD in this verse with "enquiring" of the LORD in verse 27. Israel did exactly the same thing in both verses. But it seems to me they asked counsel as if they were in a position of joint authority with Christ. When they enquired of the Lord in verse 27, it seems they have now put themselves under the authority of Christ, and are his subjects. They are ready to listen to whatever God requires of them, as they now consider themselves his subjects, not his equals.
It is a good question to ask: shall I go fight against my brother, Benjamin. It is always good to ask God what we should do, even if the answer seems obvious to us. It is a shame that Israel waited until 22,000 Israelites had been killed before they asked God if they should fight against Benjamin. Note that Israel here calls Benjamin their brother. Christians should always understand why they are fighting against, and understand that sometimes brothers in Christ can be wrong and need to be chastened of the Lord, and God might use us to do it.
God told Israel to go up, but Israel did not ask who should go first. I suppose Israel assumed the choice of the first day is good enough for the second day: Judah will go first. Here is a great error. Not only should Israel have asked God if they should go against Benjamin the second day, they should also have asked who should go up first, and how they should go to the battle. God’s way in battle and in the everyday issues of life are often very different from what we think is obvious.
Israel did not ask if God would give them the victory. I think they assumed their cause was just and good and God would bless their efforts and give them the victory.
24 And the children of Israel came near against the children of Benjamin the second day.
The outward signs of the battle are exactly as they were on the first day.
25 And Benjamin went forth against them out of Gibeah the second day, and destroyed down to the ground of the children of Israel again eighteen thousand men; all these drew the sword.
On the second day of battle, 18,000 Israelites perish. If my calculations are correct, this leaves Israel with a fighting force of 320,000. The odds against Benjamin are still 1 in nearly 14. The verse makes it clear that the dead of Israel drew the sword. These were not innocent bystanders, but warriors that died.
26 Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came unto the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the LORD, and fasted that day until even, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.
The word "then" should be underlined because there is a vast change that takes place at this second defeat.
Israel wept again the second day, not only for those lost in the battle, and for fighting Benjamin, but also probably in confusion as to why they were not able to win in this nation saving contest.
God has given Benjamin one more day to consider their wickedness before God in defending the wickedness of homosexuality, children of Belial, and to killing their brothers. Benjamin is like the fatted calf, or the unbelievers in Psalms 73, who take no need for God, but their calamity comes swiftly.
Note that Israel did not set the battle in array for the next day, then weep before the Lord. Immediately after the battle, Israel came unto the house of God, wept and sat before the Lord, fasting and offering burnt offerings and sacrifices. This is the first time they have fasted, offered burnt offerings and peace offerings.
It is a shame that Israel had to suffer such a great defeat before they saw their need of God’s leadership, even though their cause was good and right. It is a shame that we must suffer so great losses before come to the house of God, weep before him, and ask him what his will is, then follow his exact will to the letter.
27 And the children of Israel enquired of the LORD, (for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days, 28 And Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stood before it in those days,) saying, Shall I yet again go out to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother, or shall I cease? And the LORD said, Go up; for to morrow I will deliver them into thine hand.
The inquiry of God this day was accompanied with Phinehas, asking God for directions. It seems the direction Israel should have taken was so obvious to them, and they all agreed on the solution, but they suffered defeat because they needed to understand that victory is only to be had in the Lord.
This is the first time the high priest is involved in any decision making. It is great error to do anything without consulting God first.
29 And Israel set liers in wait round about Gibeah.
These are Israelite warriors who hide all around the city of Gibeah.
30 And the children of Israel went up against the children of Benjamin on the third day, and put themselves in array against Gibeah, as at other times.
Everything looks exactly the same to the Benjamites, but things are far from the same. God is going to make a great difference on this day. The lesson for us is that often things look the same as before, but things are greatly different. Samson did not realize his strength was gone when his hair was cut, so he attempted to go out as at other times. But he could not leave, because his disobedience had made a difference, even though things looks the same to him. We must be very careful to see spiritual truths, not just outward appearances of truth.
31 And the children of Benjamin went out against the people, and were drawn away from the city; and they began to smite of the people, and kill, as at other times, in the highways, of which one goeth up to the house of God, and the other to Gibeah in the field, about thirty men of Israel.
The children of Benjamin are very willing to fight their brother. If they had been filled with trouble at the beginning when they thought of fighting and killing their brothers, they seem to have no such thought now.
They fight on the way that goeth up to the house of God. The battle might not have joined if Benjamin had used that highway to go up to the house of God. Benjamin believes, as they stand, killing their brothers on the highway that goes to the house of God, they shall be victorious, as on the previous two days. They could have saved their own lives if they had gone up to the house of God, not allowed the sodomites to dwell within their city, then defended them.
Benjamin is "drawn away" from their city and their defense. They are overconfident, and will soon pay with their lives.
These thirty men of Israel were sacrificed in order to win the war.
32 And the children of Benjamin said, They are smitten down before us, as at the first. But the children of Israel said, Let us flee, and draw them from the city unto the highways.
Two different opinions:
The children of Benjamin believe they are victorious and are looking forward to the victory at the end of day. There is good evidence in the following verses that Benjamin followed Israel as they "retreated".
The children of Israel decide to turn back to the Benjamites and run, luring them from the city into the highway, where they will have no defense.
33 And all the men of Israel rose up out of their place, and put themselves in array at Baaltamar: and the liers in wait of Israel came forth out of their places, even out of the meadows of Gibeah.
When sufficient distance had been traveled by the "retreating" Israelites, they stopped, turned around and "drew a line in the sand". This probably happened at a pre-determined place.
When the Israelites stopped running from before the Benjamites, the liers in wait from Israel rose up out of their hiding places, and moved toward Gibeah to destroy it.
34 And there came against Gibeah ten thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and the battle was sore: but they knew not that evil was near them.
There were 10,000 Israelites that were liers in wait, that invaded Gibeah. The inhabitants could do nothing, as their warriors had left the city and was chasing the Israelites.
35 And the LORD smote Benjamin before Israel: and the children of Israel destroyed of the Benjamites that day twenty and five thousand and an hundred men: all these drew the sword.
It is very interesting that the LORD smote Benjamin, not Israel.
On this third day of battle, God gave the victory to righteousness and 25,100 (from a beginning force of 26,000) Benjamites were killed. This leaves Benjamin with only 900 fighting men. Verse 47 states that 600 Benjamites fled to the rock Rimmon, where their lives were saved. These were later used to "repopulate" the tribe of Benjamin. This means that Benjamin had a fighting force of only 300 men. I do not know if the 700 chosen left-handed fighters were killed or not, but Benjamin is broken in pieces. Benjamin must die, or all Israel must die: that is the conclusion of this battle.
Verse 44-48 gives the account of how the Benjamites died.
36 So the children of Benjamin saw that they were smitten: for the men of Israel gave place to the Benjamites, because they trusted unto the liers in wait which they had set beside Gibeah.
The Benjamites see the battle is against them, but they can do nothing about it. The strategy worked, as Israel did trust in the liers in wait when they ran from the Benjamin, drawing them away from Gibeah.
37 And the liers in wait hasted, and rushed upon Gibeah; and the liers in wait drew themselves along, and smote all the city with the edge of the sword.
The liers in wait understood the battle was in their hands, and the safety of their comrades, therefore they rushed into Gibeah, and quickly began to kill people, setting the city on fire.
38 Now there was an appointed sign between the men of Israel and the liers in wait, that they should make a great flame with smoke rise up out of the city.
39 And when the men of Israel retired in the battle, Benjamin began to smite and kill of the men of Israel about thirty persons: for they said, Surely they are smitten down before us, as in the first battle.
40 But when the flame began to arise up out of the city with a pillar of smoke, the Benjamites looked behind them, and, behold, the flame of the city ascended up to heaven.
41 And when the men of Israel turned again, the men of Benjamin were amazed: for they saw that evil was come upon them.
42 Therefore they turned their backs before the men of Israel unto the way of the wilderness; but the battle overtook them; and them which came out of the cities they destroyed in the midst of them.
Because the Benjamites did not take the highway to the house of God (verse 31) they must take the highway to the wilderness where they will die.
43 Thus they inclosed the Benjamites round about, and chased them, and trode them down with ease over against Gibeah toward the sunrising.
And there fell of Benjamin eighteen thousand men; all these were men of valour. 45 And they turned and fled toward the wilderness unto the rock of Rimmon: and they gleaned of them in the highways five thousand men; and pursued hard after them unto Gidom, and slew two thousand men of them. 46 So that all which fell that day of Benjamin were twenty and five thousand men that drew the sword; all these were men of valour. 47 But six hundred men turned and fled to the wilderness unto the rock Rimmon, and abode in the rock Rimmon four months.
|
died in the main battle |
18,000 |
|
died on the highway toward Rimmon |
5,000 |
|
died at Gidom |
2,000 |
|
Fled to the rock of Rimmon |
600 |
|
Subtotal |
25,600 |
|
Compare to verse 15 |
26,000 |
|
Compare to verse 35 |
26,100 |
|
Fighting force remaining |
300 or 400 |
It is interesting that Israel knew where the 600 Benjamites were, but made no effort to kill them, therefore God retained the tribe of Benjamin.
And the men of Israel turned again upon the children of Benjamin, and smote them with the edge of the sword, as well the men of every city, as the beast, and all that came to hand: also they set on fire all the cities that they came to.
1. Israel completely destroy all the Benjamites, including women and children, beast and burned all the cities with fire.
2. All of this may seem very cruel to us, but it is not. It is following the clear commands of God to cleanse the nation of sin.
CHAPTER 21 – THE FIX TO THE SOLUTION
1 Now the men of Israel had sworn in Mizpeh, saying, There shall not any of us give his daughter unto Benjamin to wife.
It seems Israel swore this oath without consulting God.
Numbers 30:2 – If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.
Judges 11:30-31 – Jephthah made a rash vow to the Lord, and he kept that vow, as he should have. And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands, 31 Then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall surely be the LORD’S, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.
It should be remarked that the tribe of Benjamin was the only tribe that remained with the tribe of Judah.
a. They might have remained with Judah in the distribution of the land of Canaan, but they departed from Judah in the promises of God.
b. Benjamin not only had those that followed Belial and became sodomites, but Benjamin protected those that follow Belial.
c. They, as well as we, will pay the price for disobedience.
This oath was sworn at Mizpeh.
a. Mizpeh is the place where all Israel first gathered together.
b. Judges 19 - It was at Mizpeh that Israel heard first hand the story from the Levite.
c. It was at Mizpeh that all Israel first decided how they would handle the difficulty.
d. It is likely Israel did not consult God, rather decided what they would do, based on the Bible they had, and also deciding among themselves, doing what they consider right.
e. Judges 21:5 – Israel also made another great oath at Mizpeh.
Why would this be sworn to?
Because they were trying to follow the command of Moses in Deuteronomy 7:1-6.
1. These verses reveal that taking wives or the giving of children to those that worship other gods will cause that Israelite child to go away from God’s worship.
2. The Benjamites were said to be sons of Belial, therefore the command fit.
3. It is bad that the Israelites would treat a fellow tribe as if they were heathens.
4. When believers act like heathens, believers have no choice.
I suppose this is an act of war, and not to be followed perpetually.
Because the men of Israel believed the Benjamites were all followers of Belial, and sodomites. They forgot that some of the men there might not be Benjamites, but the truth is that all Benjamin went out to fight against Israel.
I would imagine when pieces of the Levites concubine arrived at their doorsteps, they consider the same thing might happen to their daughters.
2 And the people came to the house of God, and abode there till even before God, and lifted up their voices, and wept sore;
The people came to the house of God, which is a good thing.
They remained there until even, before God, weeping for the lost tribe.
a. Israel did not rejoice in their victory, nor did they weep for the 40,000 lost in the first two days battle.
b. It is good to weep for the "big picture" instead of only seeing the loss through the eyes of various family members.
They did not repent because of their zeal against the sin of Benjamin, because they were right in that.
They did not rejoice because they had won the battle, but rather because of the tribe lost out of Israel.
3 And said, O LORD God of Israel, why is this come to pass in Israel, that there should be to day one tribe lacking in Israel?
Israel asks God why the events of that day came to pass. It is clear to me that sin and the resultant cleansing of sin is the answer.
It is interesting they did not weep for the 40,000, as they have already wept for them. They are weeping because of a lost tribe of Israel. Of course, the reason this thing came to pass is because of sin, and the Benjamites standing with the sinners and not against them.
a. They remember the promises of God given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
b. They remember the 12 stones on the breastplate of the priest.
4 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people rose early, and built there an altar, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings.
1. It seems Israel build an altar in addition to the altar that was at the house of God. It seems likely they needed the space for all the extra offerings they offered to God.
2. The people rose early, as they had thoughts on their mind of making things right as soon as possible.
3. They offered burnt offerings (for their sins) and peace offerings (as they were at peace with God and desired all Israel to be at peace.
4. They desired the blessings of God upon them, even though, it seems, they had not sought the leadership of God in the past.
5 And the children of Israel said, Who is there among all the tribes of Israel that came not up with the congregation unto the LORD? For they had made a great oath concerning him that came not up to the LORD to Mizpeh, saying, He shall surely be put to death.
Israel has two oaths on their mind they must take care of, which they are determined to do, even if we consider these oaths to be rash.
c. There was a census taken at Mizpeh, as seen in Judges 20:2, as a census was necessary to determine how many soldiers were available.
d. It seems that if a town is represented, none of the inhabitants will be killed, however, if the town is not represented, all of the inhabitants will be killed.
The oath might appear rash to us, but the only way victory can be had over an enemy is when there is unity against that enemy.
a. The only children can be raised correctly is when both parents agree as to God’s method of raising children.
b. The only way a church can discipline its members is when all the church agrees to the discipline.
c. Any church member that disagrees with the discipline of another church member and tries to comfort the disciplined church member and be on their side, will do much to destroy the effectiveness of church discipline and will cause much trouble in the church.
Judges 11:30-31 – Jephthah made a rash vow before the Lord, but kept it. This is a real lesson for us on keeping the vow we have made to the Lord.
Why did Israel make this oath?
d. There will be no "fence straddling" concerning wickedness and the things God hates.
e. Everybody will be forced into deciding for themselves whether they are for God or against God.
f. If people are against God, they are for the children of Belial; if they are for God, they are against the children of Belial.
6 And the children of Israel repented them for Benjamin their brother, and said, There is one tribe cut off from Israel this day.
1. The word "repent" means that Israel had a change of mind about Benjamin.
a. This same thought is given in verse 15.
b. Israel will now do as much to restore Benjamin as they did to rebuke, chasten and destroy them.
2. Israel did not repent of the zeal they had in destroying the sons of Belial.
a. They would have been wrong to repent of their zeal against sin.
b. This entire story would have been very different if Benjamin had repented of protecting the sons of Belial, turned them over to be killed by Israel.
7 How shall we do for wives for them that remain, seeing we have sworn by the LORD that we will not give them of our daughters to wives?
1. Israel believes it is their job to restore Benjamin, as they were the ones who destroyed them.
2. They cannot give them wives because of the oath they have sworn before the Lord, so they do not know what to do.
3. Because they cannot determine what to do concerning wives for Benjamin, they do what they know to do.
4. It is always good to do what we know to do before we try to do that which we do not know.
8 And they said, What one is there of the tribes of Israel that came not up to Mizpeh to the LORD? And, behold, there came none to the camp from Jabeshgilead to the assembly. 9 For the people were numbered, and, behold, there were none of the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead there.
Israel had not previously considered who was not present. This decision would wait until the final battle. Israel would use the census previously taken at Mizpeh. Jabeshgilead is located some 45 miles north east of Gibeah.
10 And the congregation sent thither twelve thousand men of the valiantest, and commanded them, saying, Go and smite the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead with the edge of the sword, with the women and the children. 11 And this is the thing that ye shall do, Ye shall utterly destroy every male, and every woman that hath lain by man. 12 And they found among the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead four hundred young virgins, that had known no man by lying with any male: and they brought them unto the camp to Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan.
It is likely Israel followed the example of Moses in Numbers 31:17-18, but there is no record they asked God what he would have them do. The idea is that all males will be leaders, and the women that have lain with a male will follow those males that have been leaders in their community. Women that have not lain with men will be more at ease to follow the man they will lie with.
These brides are captured by blood, in battle.
13 And the whole congregation sent some to speak to the children of Benjamin that were in the rock Rimmon, and to call peaceably unto them.
If the 600 men hiding in Rimmon had heard about Israel invasion of Jabeshgilead, they might have been nervous, but when the whole congregation speaks to them of wives, they will be relieved.
14 And Benjamin came again at that time; and they gave them wives which they had saved alive of the women of Jabeshgilead: and yet so they sufficed them not.
There was 600 Benjamites hiding in Rimmon, but there was only 400 wives (verse 12), so 200 Benjamites would not have a wife. It is likely some of the 600 men had been married previously, but their wives died when Israel killed all women, children, and beasts. There is also no way of knowing how old the girls were. Some might have been very young, therefore a man might have to wait on her to grow up a little before bearing children to him.
I cannot help but think of these young girls, who have been taken captive by their fellow Israelites, whom they should be able to trust. Their parents have been slaughtered, and all women that have lain with men. All their brothers are dead – their entire family is dead, and they are given in marriage to a strange man. The man may be much older than they are, but could be much younger. It is not someone they have chosen, or their parents have chosen for them. They made no decision about their spouse, but have been forced into the marriage.
15 And the people repented them for Benjamin, because that the LORD had made a breach in the tribes of Israel.
Israel did not repent of the zeal they had in cleansing the land from sin. They repented because there was a tribe of Israel wiped out in the war. The word "repent" does not mean Israel was sorry for what they did in the war. They have now changed their minds completely about Benjamin, and instead of trying to destroy them, will do all they can to bring Benjamin back to their previous position.
16 Then the elders of the congregation said, How shall we do for wives for them that remain, seeing the women are destroyed out of Benjamin?
There is still a problem, because there are about 200 Benjamites that do not have wives.
17 And they said, There must be an inheritance for them that be escaped of Benjamin, that a tribe be not destroyed out of Israel.
It is interesting that no Israelite was interested in taking the inheritance of Benjamin to themselves. They all knew what they did would be seen of God, therefore the desired God’s will to be done. Their whole purpose was to restore Benjamin to their rightful inheritance.
18 Howbeit we may not give them wives of our daughters: for the children of Israel have sworn, saying, Cursed be he that giveth a wife to Benjamin.
Israel have bound themselves to an oath, therefore they cannot willingly and freely give their daughters to the Benjamites.
19 Then they said, Behold, there is a feast of the LORD in Shiloh yearly in a place which is on the north side of Bethel, on the east side of the highway that goeth up from Bethel to Shechem, and on the south of Lebonah.
The Israelites knew the exact location of the feast and that young virgins would be dancing before the Lord in worship. They knew no parents would be there, and there would be no protection at all.
20 Therefore they commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, Go and lie in wait in the vineyards; 21 And see, and, behold, if the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in dances, then come ye out of the vineyards, and catch you every man his wife of the daughters of Shiloh, and go to the land of Benjamin.
The plan and command must have been very secret, because if the plan had been known, there would be no dancing virgins for the Benjamites to catch. If parents had heard of the plan, they would have refrained their daughters from attending.
The command is for the remaining Benjamites to kidnap a wife for themselves of these worshipping virgins. There is a picture in my mind of the men of Benjamin "catching" his wife, as she runs from him. Verse 23 echoes this thought with the phrase …whom they caught… This is like a Sadie Hawkins day in reverse. I wonder if the movie "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" took its theme from this passage? I can see young girls scurrying away, running away for their lives (as far as they know), and the eager young soldiers rushing to catch whatever young girl meets his fancy.
Two hundred men hid in the vineyards, waiting to catch away his unsuspecting bride. How did 200 men remain quiet enough that the virgins did not see or hear them? Perhaps the girls were making much noise with their dancing worship, therefore did not see nor hear the Benjamites.
I must say there is nothing wrong with this dancing. No men or married women were present. This is not lewd dancing, but dancing before the Lord, as David danced.
22 And it shall be, when their fathers or their brethren come unto us to complain, that we will say unto them, Be favourable unto them for our sakes: because we reserved not to each man his wife in the war: for ye did not give unto them at this time, that ye should be guilty.
This is a pretty devious plan. Israel expects to hear complaints from the fathers and brothers of the kidnapped girls. They will appeal to the fathers and brothers to see the "necessity" of the kidnappings, and will tell them their oath to God is not broken, as they did not give permission for the girls to marry Benjamites.
23 And the children of Benjamin did so, and took them wives, according to their number, of them that danced, whom they caught: and they went and returned unto their inheritance, and repaired the cities, and dwelt in them.
These 200 wives were taken from worship, from good times, from innocent times and brought into a situation they had nothing to do with.
Benjamin did as they were told, and took wives to themselves. No man took two wives, but each man took one wife. As related, the girls were dancing, and had to be caught, as they were unsuspecting.
When the Benjamites had their wives, they returned to their own inheritance and began to reestablish Benjamin as a tribe of Israel.
It must be noted that the Benjamites that returned to their own inheritance had plenty. The entire tribe of Benjamin consisted of no more than 1,000 men, probably more like 600 men, who occupied the territory of more than 45,600 (Numbers 26:41), so there was plenty for all the Benjamites.
It is true that the tribe of Benjamin is restored. Revelation 7:8 reveals that 12,000 are sealed from the tribe of Benjamin. It is interesting to note that 400 wives came from blood and 200 came from worship. These are two very distinct opposites. Yet the wives must have suffered much trauma. It is also interesting that God used the plan of Israel to cause Benjamin to be restored. God does use human plans, even if humans did not ask God for his will in the matter. While God may use human plans, that does not mean that human plans are the best. I am sure God had a plan to restore Benjamin, but apparently God was not asked what his plan was.
24 And the children of Israel departed thence at that time, every man to his tribe and to his family, and they went out from thence every man to his inheritance.
It seems all Israel considered the matter now closed, and everybody went home as if nothing at all had happened. It seems all Israel is very satisfied with the outcome, return home and get on with their lives.
25 In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
The sad state of affairs is repeated at the end of this book. Israel did not do as God commanded, or directed. They did what was right in their own eyes. May we take warning, and listen closely to the still small voice of the Holy Spirit’s leadership and not make decisions based on circumstances.
