READ: Judges
20 & 21
Due to the horrendous acts described in Judges 19,
massive civil war breaks out. Eleven tribes gather against the Benjamites, who
choose to harbour the men of Gibeah – choosing to defend the perpetrators
rather than to obey God’s law. The result is quite a massacre: 40 030 people of
the eleven tribes are killed and the tribe of Benjamin is almost entirely wiped
out, including women and children; only 600 men remain, leaving Benjamin in a
sorry state – 600 bachelors being a real problem for tribal survival. The other
tribes suddenly feel sorry for the brothers they’ve just tried to wipe out, and
concoct a plan to get wives for the Benjamites. More bloodshed ensues as the
Benjamites run with the plan, killing the people in Jabesh-Gilead (located in
the tribal allotment of Manasseh), save 400 virgins whom they take as wives.
The remaining 200 women are kidnapped from Shiloh.
The story shows the people of Israel again doing
things their own way. There is some fasting and seeking of the Lord before the
battle with the Benjamites, but as a whole, the people continue to do things
without the direction and confirmation of Yahweh. Everyone is left with blood
on his hands and we are reminded once more of the theme of the book of Judges: “In those days there was no king in Israel.
Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” But these words are spoken as
a glimmer of hope, as we look forward to seeing renewal and redemption sweep
through Israel under the rule of a godly king.
JOURNALING
AND PRAYER
1. Thank God that He always has a plan and a
purpose. Thank Him for showing us this through His Word. Thank Him for
including the book of Judges in the Bible to teach us about the effects of sin
and also about the faithfulness of God.
2. Is there a situation in your life that has left
you feeling hopeless, or anxious, or broken? God has a purpose and a plan for
you, and God is good. Read Psalm 25, and notice what it says about hope/trust.
a. How is God speaking to you through this?
b. Use this psalm to help you pray for your
struggle.
c. Perhaps you know someone else who needs to put
their hope and trust in Christ. Use this Psalm to pray for them.
3. What has stuck out most to you as you have read
through the book of Judges? Ask God to show you what He wants you to take away
from your study of the book. Ask Him how you can apply this truth to your life
today.
