Part 3: The Depths of Israel’s apostasy (Judges 17:1-21:25), continued
Moral and societal corruption (Judges 19:1-21:24), continued
Moral outrage at Gibeah (Judges 19:22-30), continued
- See Leviticus 18:22. This was, of course, specifically forbidden by the Law of Moses.
- This is similar behavior to what happened in Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19).
- This is the kind of behavior that eventually results when everyone does what is right in his own eyes.
- Judges 19:27 – The Levites’ behavior toward her was extremely callous.
- Judges 19:29 – Compare I Samuel 11 when Saul dismembered an ox and sent it throughout the land to bring urgent attention to a matter.
- Judges 19:30 – This low point in Israel’s history is referenced in Hosea 9:9; 10:9.
Civil war (Judges 20:1-48)
- Judges 20:1 – Mizpah is in Benjamin, so Israelites were assembling at Benjamin’ doorstep.
- Judges 20:15 – The 26,000 Benjamites were up against 400,000 Israelites – about a 15:1 ratio.
- Judges 20:18 – Compare Judges 1 when Judah was also called on to go first.
- Judges 20:26 – This was not something often seen from Israel in the book of Judges. They were tearfully seeking God and His guidance.
- See Mark 3:24. A house divided against itself cannot stand.
- Judges 20:12-13 – The Benjamites were offered a way out, but would not take it. How often do we make the same mistake out of pride?
Class 13 Takeaway
- The Israelite civil war began because of the wicked actions of a few men in one town and was exacerbated by their brothers’ unwillingness to stand up against their evil deeds.
- To avoid a similar firestorm in our lives, let’s ensure we are always pursuing what makes for peace and promotes unity in our relationships, but also that we have the courage to take a stand against evil – even when it hits close to home (Romans 14:19; Ephesians 4:3, 13; 5:11).