Daily Readings: Judges 21 and Psalm 44
As I read Judges 21 everything in me cries out “NO!!!” This is so wrong. The cycle of violence has spiralled and excessive vengeance has been taken, followed by a foolish oath. Now they ask ‘Lord, God of Israel, why has this happened to Israel? Why should one tribe be missing from Israel today?’
They cried out to God, almost as if it was His responsibility that the tribe of Benjamin was on the edge of extinction. The question, “Why has this happened?” was easily answered: It was because of their excessive vengeance against the tribe of Benjamin. And because of their foolish, hateful oath not to allow their daughters to marry Benjaminites, they had created an even greater problem. So, in their wanton sinfulness, they decided that another wrong would make it right, and they exacted petulant vengeance on those who didn’t come up to help them – in order to try to undo the consequences of their vow and provide wives for the tribe of Benjamin – through violence. Then, as if that wasn’t bad enough, when that plan fell short, they hatched a plot that essentially amounted to kidnapping, human trafficking and forced marriage (in today’s language). NO!!!
Thankfully, to remind us of the underlying problem yet again, the author of Judges declares for the umpteenth time in these horrible chapters, “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.” (v.25) This is what we get when we dethrone the LORD.
Lord, preserve me from living as if You are not my King. Holy Spirit, empower me to do as Abba Father sees fit, and not to usurp His authority and go my own way. Lord, in You rmercy, save me from my sin. Amen.
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