Judges 20. The second appendix: The Benjamite War; humility before God's will.

Title: Judges 20. The second appendix: The Benjamite War; humility before God's will.

 

 

Benjamin defeated the much larger army of Israel twice. It was then that they humbly sought for God's will.

 

God taught Israel that they must fully defer to His will, and that their attitude toward Benjamin should be of sorrow and not vengeance.   

 

JDG 20:26 Then all the sons of Israel and all the people went up and came to Bethel and wept; thus they remained there before the Lord and fasted that day until evening. And they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord.

 

JDG 20:27 And the sons of Israel inquired of the Lord (for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days,

 

JDG 20:28 and Phinehas the son of Eleazar, Aaron's son, stood before it to minister in those days), saying, "Shall I yet again go out to battle against the sons of my brother Benjamin, or shall I cease?" And the Lord said, "Go up, for tomorrow I will deliver them into your hand."

 

We know beyond a doubt that the victory belongs to the Lord. Only the Lord delivers. Israel can no longer attribute victory to their overwhelming numbers.

 

None of us will conquer our obstacles unless we fully defer to God's will. We must learn to love God's way above all others.

 

LEV 26:40 'If they confess their iniquity and the iniquity of their forefathers, in their unfaithfulness which they committed against Me, and also in their acting with hostility against Me — 

 

LEV 26:41 I also was acting with hostility against them, to bring them into the land of their enemies —  or if their uncircumcised heart becomes humbled so that they then make amends for their iniquity,

 

LEV 26:42 then I will remember My covenant with Jacob, and I will remember also My covenant with Isaac, and My covenant with Abraham as well, and I will remember the land.

 

They could certainly confess it and not think it evil or wrong. And it is not a matter of reciting the sins, for how could they know all of the sins of their forefathers? What was the sin of the people in Egypt and the Exodus? Idolatry and a complete lack of faith in God's promises. And if they knew that and stated it, but they rejoiced in it, or were apathetic and uncaring about it, they would not be fulfilling the will of God stated here. This does not mean you have to feel sorry to be forgiven. Forgiveness is only in the finished work of Christ, and not in how anyone feels about their sin.

 

God wants us to be children of a certain character and proper character of the image of Christ does not rejoice in sin, nor is it indifferent towards sin.

 

We begin the Christian way of life in total forgiveness, therefore, forgiveness is not our goal, but our starting point. Maturing in the full knowledge of Christ is our goal.

 

The OT saint's sin was covered until the time of Christ, so also for them, the issue was not so much the proper method that moved them towards forgiveness, i.e. the animal sacrifice. They could sacrifice without the proper attitude towards sin. God spoke to them about forgiveness, which was the absence of the curse promised in the Law for lawbreaking. He promised them that their sins and iniquities would no more be remembered under the New Covenant, but under the Mosaic Covenant the sins of the people of Israel were continually before them and therefore, the curses spoken of in the Law were always lurking. The animal sacrifices were required and always reminded them of the real means of forgiveness in the blood of the Messiah, but the real solution to avoiding the curses written in the Law was the proper attitude towards sin and evil.

 

PSA 51:16-17

For Thou dost not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it;

Thou art not pleased with burnt offering.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;

A broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.

 

All of us reap what we sow, but this attitude is the attitude of the humble and the way of victory over the obstacles that we all have.

 

LEV 26:40 'If they confess their iniquity and the iniquity of their forefathers, in their unfaithfulness which they committed against Me, and also in their acting with hostility against Me — 

 

LEV 26:41 I also was acting with hostility against them, to bring them into the land of their enemies —  or if their uncircumcised heart becomes humbled so that they then make amends for their iniquity,

 

LEV 26:42 then I will remember My covenant with Jacob, and I will remember also My covenant with Isaac, and My covenant with Abraham as well, and I will remember the land.

 

In other words, they will enjoy the blessings of the covenant.

 

PRO 29:23

A man's pride will bring him low,

But a humble spirit will obtain honor.

 

ROM 12:9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.

 

ROM 12:10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;

 

ROM 12:11 not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;

 

ROM 12:12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer,

 

ROM 12:13 contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality [love of strangers].

 

ROM 12:14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and curse not.

 

ROM 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

 

ROM 12:16 Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.

 

ROM 12:17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men.

 

1PE 3:8 To sum up, let all be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit;

 

1PE 3:9 not returning evil for evil, or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.

 

1PE 3:10 For, "Let him who means to love life and see good days

Refrain his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking guile.

 

1PE 3:11 "And let him turn away from evil and do good;

Let him seek peace and pursue it.

 

1PE 3:12 "For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous,

And His ears attend to their prayer,

But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."

 

1PE 3:13 And who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?

 

1PE 3:14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled,

 

1PE 3:15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;

 

1PE 3:16 and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

 

…

1PE 5:5 all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

 

1PE 5:6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,

 

1PE 5:7 casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you.

 

1PE 5:8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

 

1PE 5:9 But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.

 

1PE 5:10 And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.

 

1PE 5:11 To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.

 

MAT 23:1 Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples,

 

MAT 23:2 saying, "The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses;

 

MAT 23:3 therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things, and do not do them.

 

MAT 23:4 "And they tie up heavy loads, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger.

 

MAT 23:5 "But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries, and lengthen the tassels of their garments.

 

MAT 23:6 "And they love the place of honor at banquets, and the chief seats in the synagogues,

 

MAT 23:7 and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called by men, Rabbi.

 

MAT 23:8 "But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers.

 

MAT 23:9 "And do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.

 

MAT 23:10 "And do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ.

 

MAT 23:11 "But the greatest among you shall be your servant.

 

MAT 23:12 "And whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.

 

Christ said this on multiple occasions, LUK 14:11; LUK 18:14.