READ JUDGES 21
GO DEEPER
The SMU football program was given a severe penalty known as "the death penalty" by the NCAA in 1987 for providing payments to players against the rules. This sanction resulted in the program being barred from competition for a year, yet it had the unintended consequence of causing long-lasting damage to the program. The repercussions were so severe that the NCAA has refrained from implementing such a penalty on any football program since then.
In Judges 21, we witness the tragic consequences of Israel imposing a form of capital punishment on the Benjamites and their attempts to address it. The Benjamites' heinous acts, their lack of remorse, and the other Israelite tribes' determination to hold them accountable were mentioned earlier. As Judges 21 unfolds, we learn that the Israelites imposed their own form of punishment by forbidding their daughters from marrying the Benjamites. This decision ultimately resulted in the unintended consequence of severely impacting the tribe of Benjamin, a fellow Israelite clan.
Instead of acknowledging their mistake and seeking guidance from God, the Israelites continued to make one poor decision after another. To rectify their predicament, they resolved to take unmarried women from an Israelite city and give them to the surviving Benjamites while killing the rest of the inhabitants. However, their plan backfired when they realized they didn't have enough women. To address this shortage, they directed the Benjamites to abduct women from an Israelite festival. By framing it as theft, the Israelite leaders could maintain they hadn't violated their vow.
We may point out the impulsive choices and flawed consequences of the Israelites, but Judges 21 prompts us to reflect on the unforeseen consequences of resolving our dilemmas. Verse 25 highlights the underlying issue of the past and present: "In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes."
Israel did not have a king to provide direction, foresight, vision, and protection. Without a king, Israel struggled and lost their way. Similarly, we often falter when we try to solve problems on our own. However, we have King Jesus, who possesses wisdom to guide us through the past, present, and future. Jesus demonstrated a living example of love and showed us the way to walk in this world. With Jesus as our king, the Holy Spirit is there for us in challenging times. Without King Jesus, people act according to their desires, leading to destruction as shown in Judges 21. But with King Jesus, we can experience a fulfilling life according to John 10:10.
QUESTIONS
1. What lessons does this chapter impart about God and humanity?
2. Consider a current issue you are grappling with and assess its progress.
3. How can you invite Jesus and the Spirit to take control in addressing this situation?