Read Judges 20
Highlights:
War against Benjamites; their defeat; wives for the remaining Benjamites.
Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came unto the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the LORD, and fasted that day until even, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD (Judg. 20:26).
The tribe of Benjamin refused to allow justice to be done to the mob that attacked a defenseless Israelite woman causing her death (Judges 20:13). All the other tribes of Israel united to execute judgment against them. In deep humility, they committed themselves to the Lord.
It was only after they had built an altar and offered the sacrifices for their own needs that the LORD said, Go up; for to morrow I will deliver them into thine hand (20:28). The tribe of Benjamin was almost destroyed before the consequences of this wicked sin had been meted out.
There is a growing indifference to immorality in our society that is similar to what existed in the tribe of Benjamin. We have redefined sin. The purpose is to remove the sense of guilt for violating God's moral Law and to make the sinner feel comfortable, as they did when in those days . . . every man did that which was right in his own eyes (21:25). However, while hating and exposing sin, we must also show mercy and kindness as we pray for and lovingly entreat sinners to come to Christ as their Savior and Lord and allow Him to change their lives. Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matt. 11:28). Jesus calls to every individual to call on Him for forgiveness of their sins.
All sin is abominable to our holy God; however, all sin that is truly repented of and forsaken is forgiven through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). It is the will of God for all to receive this forgiveness. Jesus gave His life as a substitutionary sacrifice for every person that would ever live. He desires to forgive. Like the old hymn says, we simply need to "Trust and Obey" Christ.
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Pet. 3:9).
Thought for Today:
Man was not created to be master of his own will.
Word Studies:
20:5 forced, raped; 20:6 lewdness, immoral, shameful conduct; 20:10 folly, wicked conduct; 20:29 liers, an ambush; 20:34 sore, a fierce disaster; 20:45 gleaned, caught, were cut off; 21:6 repented them, were sorry.
Christ Revealed:
As our Deliverer (Judges 20:26,28). As we pray and seek the Lord’s will, He delivers us from all evil forces. Our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world (Galatians 1:3-4).
Prayer Suggestion: Ask the Lord to lead you in all that you do (Matthew 6:13).
Optional Reading: John 21
Memory Verse for the Week: Revelation 5:2
