God’s Law Commanded Death
March 9, 2020
Commentary
The guilty ones were named and sent for, but the Benjamites rejected the request of the other tribes to surrender those wicked men of Gibeah for execution in order to purge the evil (vv. 12-13). Benjamin, because of pride, apparently felt that he could manage their own affairs and punish their own offenders. In other words, what right had the rest of Israel to meddle with their internal concerns. They were more loyal to their own tribe than to God’s law. Therefore, Israel took the final step and attacked Gibeah.
The Benjamites mobilized 26,000 swordsmen who were perhaps no match for Israel’s 400,000 experienced soldiers to fight against them (vv. 14-17). The Israelites went up to the house of God at Bethel and asked counsel of God as to which tribe should take the lead to battle against the Benjamites? And the Lord said, Judah shall go up first (v. 18). It seems like overwhelming odds but the initial victories went to the smaller forces of Benjamin due largely to the superior skills of the stone slingers and the fact they were familiar with their own territory. To Israel’s amazement the Benjamites fought like tigers and 22,000 Israelites were slain in this first battle (vv. 19-21).
Israel went up to Bethel and wept as she sought counsel of the Lord (v. 22). (It seems that at the time of this crisis between the tribes that the Ark of the Covenant may have been moved to Bethel from its usual place in Shiloh.) However, her tears were out of pride and not of godly sorrow. She inquired whether they should continue to battle against the Benjamites, and the Lord’s answer was “Go up against them” (v.23).
Application
Just as the tribe of Benjamin was proud and wanted to take care of their own problems, I can become too proud to let the Lord handle my problems. I need to have each member of my family share an experience where they have taken something into their own hands when they should have turned it over to the Lord.
Judges 20:12– 23 (NET)
12 The tribes of Israel sent men throughout the tribe of Benjamin, saying, “How could such a wicked thing take place? 13 Now, hand over the good-for-nothings in Gibeah so we can execute them and purge Israel of wickedness.” But the Benjaminites refused to listen to their Israelite brothers. 14 The Benjaminites came from their cities and assembled at Gibeah to make war against the Israelites. 15 That day the Benjaminites mustered from their cities 26,000 sword-wielding soldiers, besides 700 well-trained soldiers from Gibeah. 16 Among this army were 700 specially trained left-handed soldiers. Each one could sling a stone and hit even the smallest target. 17 The men of Israel (not counting Benjamin) had mustered 400,000 sword-wielding soldiers, every one an experienced warrior.
18 The Israelites went up to Bethel and asked God, “Who should lead the charge against the Benjaminites?” The Lord said, “Judah should lead.” 19 The Israelites got up the next morning and moved against Gibeah. 20 The men of Israel marched out to fight Benjamin; they arranged their battle lines against Gibeah. 21 The Benjaminites attacked from Gibeah and struck down 22,000 Israelites that day.
22 The Israelite army took heart and once more arranged their battle lines, in the same place where they had taken their positions the day before. 23 The Israelites went up and wept before the Lord until evening. They asked the Lord, “Should we again march out to fight the Benjaminites, our brothers?” The Lord said, “Attack them.”
Illustration: Pride makes everyone sick except the one who has it
“Pride is the only disease known to man that makes everyone sick except the one who has it” (Our Daily Bread, December, 1986).