The Remorse of the Israelites
July 5, 2022
Commentary
A spirit of reconciliation set in almost as soon as the war ended. In the heat of conflict Israel had made a rash vow that she would never again permit intermarriage with Benjamin (v. 1). If strictly observed this would have eliminated this tribe. With the Israelites a vow once made, even if it was rash could not be revoked; so, the people weep before God at His sanctuary in Bethel (vv. 2-4). At about the same time the remembrance of another vow suggested a possible way out of their dilemma (vv. 5-8). This vow taken at Mizpah before the battle with the Benjamites was against any tribe that failed to support this war. It was revealed that the people of Jabesh Gilead had refused to cooperate in the battle (v. 9). Thus, a plan was made to “kill two birds with one stone”.
The schemes that followed were certainly not God ordained. An army of 12,000 men were sent to destroy Jabesh_Gilead in fulfillment of the oath, and at the same time all the virgins would be seized and turned over to the Benjaminite men for wives (vv. 10-12). The vengeance brought upon the people of Jabesh_Gilead was merciless. All but their young maidens were ruthlessly butchered. It seems that Israel was acting on the premise that the end justifies the means. She was more distressed about her threatened national dismemberment than about her separation from God. It is easy to lose our spiritual perspective and be more upset about people, places and things than about our own personal walk with the Lord.
Application
It is very easy to get so busy in the work of the Lord that I neglect the Word of the Lord. It is amazing but the Lord desires to have fellowship with me and wants me to spend quality time with Him each day.
Judges 21:1– 12 (NET)
1 The Israelites had taken an oath in Mizpah, saying, “Not one of us will allow his daughter to marry a Benjaminite.” 2 So the people came to Bethel and sat there before God until evening, weeping loudly and uncontrollably. 3 They said, “Why, O Lord God of Israel, has this happened in Israel? An entire tribe has disappeared from Israel today!”
4 The next morning the people got up early and built an altar there. They offered up burnt sacrifices and tokens of peace. 5 The Israelites asked, “Who from all the Israelite tribes has not assembled before the Lord?”They had made a solemn oath that whoever did not assemble before the Lord at Mizpah must certainly be executed. 6 The Israelites regretted what had happened to their brother Benjamin. They said, “Today we cut off an entire tribe from Israel! 7 How can we find wives for those who are left? After all, we took an oath in the Lord’s name not to give them our daughters as wives.” 8 So they asked, “Who from all the Israelite tribes did not assemble before the Lord at Mizpah?” Now it just so happened no one from Jabesh Gilead had come to the gathering. 9 When they took roll call, they noticed none of the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead were there. 10 So the assembly sent 12,000 capable warriors against Jabesh Gilead. They commanded them, “Go and kill with your swords the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead, including the women and little children. 11 Do this: Exterminate every male, as well as every woman who has experienced a man’s bed. But spare the lives of any virgins.” So they did as instructed. 12 They found among the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead 400 young girls who were virgins who had never been intimate with a man in bed. They brought them back to the camp at Shiloh in the land of Canaan.
Illustration: Kay Arthur Her husband committed suicide
Kay Arthur, a well-known author and speaker, tells how she and her husband were constantly having problems, so finally, she left him. Time after time he called & pleaded with her to come back, but she refused. Finally, he threatened suicide, & she told him, “Go ahead, I need the money.” And he did. In her remorse she can remember driving from the funeral, shaking her fist in anger at God & saying, “Go to hell, God.” Then she writes, “It was like someone flipped a switch. I suddenly realized that was exactly what God did. He went to hell for me, that I might go to heaven with Him.” (Lou Nicholes, Missionary/Author).