Judges 21

ScriptureJudges 21:2-3The people went to Bethel, where they sat before God until evening, raising their voices and weeping bitterly. “Lord, God of Israel,” they cried, “why has this happened to Israel? Why should one tribe be missing from Israel today?”

Observation

Because of in-fighting between the tribes of Israel, Benjamin finds itself on the brink of extinction because, due to a foolish vow, there are no Israelite women to be given in marriage to the men of Benjamin. After implying that God is somehow to blame for this dilemma, the tribes concoct a scheme to destroy the city of Jabesh Gilead for not answering the call to battle; yet spare the virgins of the city so that they may be given to the surviving men of Benjamin. This plan leaves them short 200 virgins. To make up the difference, the tribes resort to kidnapping as a way of circumventing the rash vow that led them into this mess in the first place.

 

UnderstandingProverbs 14:12There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death 

How frustrating it was to read this chapter full of self-righteousness, foolishness and rationalizations. Imagine the death and heartbreak that could have been avoided had the tribes, once they recognized the error of their actions, simply acknowledged their sin and stupidity before God and repented. The more they tried to fix it themselves, the worse things got and the more people there were who were harmed.

 

Life Application

1 John 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 

If I was so foolish as to get into trouble, what makes me think I will be any less foolish in trying to get out of it? God paid a terrible price in order to afford me the grace to simply come to Him in humility and confess that I have sinned. Once doing so, I am forgiven and the door is opened for God’s wisdom and power to be applied to my present circumstance. The only wisdom I can show in such situations is to take advantage of this truth and allow God to lead me out of the trouble of my own doing.

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- Gary Parker