The Ruthless Mind of Man
January 20, 2021
Commentary
Two hundred Benjamites still needed wives, but the vow at Mizpah prevented the Israelites from giving their daughters to them in marriage (v. 18). A convenient way had to be found not only to preserve their vow but also to restore the families of Benjamin (vv. 13-17). This led to the abductions of the dancing maidens (v. 23). At Shiloh it was customary to celebrate the annual feasts with gaiety and dancing. Young girls danced in the open air next to the vineyards. This was a custom that the Israelites had evidently taken from the Canaanites. Suddenly about 200 eager young men came rushing out of the surrounding vineyards, grabbed the girls and made off with them (vv. 23-24). This had all been prearranged by the elders of Israel (vv. 19-21). They were prepared to answer any complaint of the parents with the story of war and the tragedy by which the former wives were killed (v. 22).
It is evident that the elders of Israel were more concerned about maintaining the integrity of an oath than in protecting the young ladies. This shows how ruthless the mind of man can be when it is not interested in the mind of God. Things like this were bound to happen when “There was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (v. 25). During the time of the Judges, the people of Israel experienced trouble because everyone became his own authority and acted on his own opinion of right and wrong. This produced horrible results. Our world today is similar as individuals and societies have made themselves the final authorities without reference to God.
Application
The fact that “every man did what was right in his own eyes” (v. 25) is a sad commentary on the spiritual condition of the nation in those days. However, there has been times in my own life when I have rationalized something I wanted to do to the point it seemed right in my own eyes. It is also a sad time when I do this even when I know better.
Judges 21:13– 25 (NET)
13 The entire assembly sent messengers to the Benjaminites at the cliff of Rimmon and assured them they would not be harmed. 14 The Benjaminites returned at that time, and the Israelites gave to them the women they had spared from Jabesh Gilead. But there were not enough to go around.
15 The people regretted what had happened to Benjamin because the Lord had weakened the Israelite tribes. 16 The leaders of the assembly said, “How can we find wives for those who are left? After all, the Benjaminite women have been wiped out. 17 The remnant of Benjamin must be preserved. An entire Israelite tribe should not be wiped out. 18 But we can’t allow our daughters to marry them, for the Israelites took an oath, saying, ‘Whoever gives a woman to a Benjaminite will be destroyed.’ 19 However, there is an annual festival to the Lord in Shiloh, which is north of Bethel (east of the main road that goes up from Bethel to Shechem) and south of Lebonah.” 20 So they commanded the Benjaminites, “Go hide in the vineyards, 21 and keep your eyes open. When you see the daughters of Shiloh coming out to dance in the celebration, jump out from the vineyards. Each one of you, catch yourself a wife from among the daughters of Shiloh and then go home to the land of Benjamin. 22 When their fathers or brothers come and protest to us, we’ll say to them, ‘Do us a favor and let them be, for we could not get each one a wife through battle. Don’t worry about breaking your oath! You would only be guilty if you had voluntarily given them wives.’”
23 The Benjaminites did as instructed. They abducted 200 of the dancing girls to be their wives. They went home to their own territory, rebuilt their cities, and settled down. 24 Then the Israelites dispersed from there to their respective tribal and clan territories. Each went from there to his own property. 25 In those days Israel had no king. Each man did what he considered to be right.
Illustration: A Compliment Can be a Great Motivator
A compliment can be a great motivator, particularly if you put a little thought into the why, when, and how of delivering it. Be sure to comment whenever someone on your staff keeps working in the face of rejection, handles a difficult situation well, catches an error, gives another employee a helping hand, sells a particular product for the first time, or gives you a lead that proves fruitful. Most of the time, a compliment should be given in public, either at a meeting or on the company bulletin board. If the situation is delicate, convey your praise through a personal note that the employee can share with his family. As with all rewards, praise should be given immediately after good performance to provide the greatest reinforcement. It seems so easy to correct or criticize and more difficuult to compliment for a job well done It doesn’t cost us anything and it may pay back some great dividends. (Bits & Pieces, May 27, 1993, p. 12).