Read Judges 21Israel Provides Wives for Benjamin

And the children of Benjamin did so; they took enough wives for their number from those who danced, whom they caught. Then they went and returned to their inheritance, and they rebuilt the cities and dwelt in them." (Judges 21:23)

Another incident of what was like when Israel had no king as each did what he considered right in his own eyes. Started with idolatry; the Israelites morality spiralled downward. The whole tribe of Dan had gone into idolatry and now the tribe of Benjamin is indulging in immorality. Yet in all these; the mercy of God is made evident.

This incident shows its gravity of the destruction that comes with immorality. A Levite lodged in a home in Gibeah while taking his concubine home in Ephraim from Bethlehem in Judah. The local demanded sex with him. Instead, the Levite gave his concubine to them. She was raped and left dead at the door way in the morning. The Levite divided her body into 12 parts and send to all the different tribes. This resulted the gathering of all other tribes against the tribe if Benjamin for such cruel acts.

They fought against Benjamin but twice they were defeated until the third time God delivered them. The dependence and inquiry of the Lord was their way to victory.

The whole tribe of Benjamin could have been wiped out. They were 600 men who fled. The Lord caused the other tribes to seek Him for the preservation of the tribe of Benjamin. As there were insufficient women for them; the Israelites planned to have the women dance during a festival and whoever the Benjamites got would be their wives. The Benjamites did so and got enough wives. They returned to their inheritance, and they rebuilt the cities and dwelt in them.

We see the cycle of the rebellion, rejection and then the restoration of the Israelites repeated now on the tribe of Benjamin.

With these happenings Israel began to compare themselves with other nations. The other nations have kings but led them to idolatry and ruled with iron fist. There were however order and peace. Instead of turning to God as their King they sought for a human king who was chosen later in the time of Samuel the last Judge.

Prayer: Father God, I be sober not to make any vow unless You have ordained it. Lord Jesus You have preserved my family to know You. I will not judge my brother or sister who are fallen. Holy Spirit grant me the wisdom, gentleness to support them that works toward restoration.

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