Finding wives for Benjamin

Judges Chapter 21

After the war with Benjamin, the Israelites vowed to never give their daughters in marriage to any man from the tribe of Benjamin. And the people went to Bethel and sat in the presence of God and raised their voices and wept bitterly because one of their tribes was now missing. Then early in the morning, the people built an altar and gave burnt offerings and peace offerings. They felt deep sadness for Benjamin and wondered how they could find wives for the few men of Benjamin who remained.

They asked if anybody was missing when they presented themselves to the Lord at Mizpah and discovered that no one from Jabesh-gilead had attended. So they sent warriors to Jabesh-gilead and had them kill everyone in the town except virgin women and bring the virgins to the camp at Shiloh in Canaan. Then the Israelite assembly sent a peace delegation to the little remnant of Benjamin who were living at the rock of Rimmon. The Benjaminites were allowed to return to their homes and the four hundred virgins of Jabesh-gilead were given to them as wives, but there were not enough women for all.

Still the Israelites felt sorry for Benjamin, so the Israelite leaders searched their minds for a way to provide wives for them, without giving their own daughters. Then they thought of the Festival of the Lord in Shiloh and told the men of Benjamin who needed wives to go hide in the vineyards. When the women of Shiloh came out to dance, the Israelites told the men of Benjamin to rush out and take one of them home to be their wife. The Israelites said if their fathers and brother protest, they would be told to be understanding. And nobody could feel guilt about breaking a vow, since the women were not given in marriage to them.

So the men of Benjamin did as they were told and kidnapped the women and carried them off to the land of their own inheritance and they rebuilt their towns and lived in them. And once again, the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: The Israelites moved from one mess to another. The rash vow they took was not honored because they found a sneaky way around it and justified wrong actions to correct past mistakes. During these years without a judge, the people experienced trouble because everyone became his own authority and acted on his own opinions of right and wrong.

Can you imagine being a virgin in the town of Jabesh-gilead? First they see their parents and all relatives slaughtered and then are carted off to marry the men of Benjamin. How traumatic.

How does this chapter relate to us today? Our world is similar to the world of the Israelites in those days. We have groups and societies who have made themselves the final authority without consulting God. It seems like people are selfish and satisfy their own desires at all costs.It is the ultimate heroic act to submit all our plans, desires, and motives to God. Men like Gideon, Jephthah and Samson are known for their heroism in battle, but their personal lives were not heroic. For us to be heroic in our times, we must go to battle every day in our jobs, church, home and society and make the Lord’s kingdom a reality. Our weapons are our standards, morals, truths and convictions that we receive from God’s word. Go forth and conquer, you Christians. Believe in the Lord and he will save us all!

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH: Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents, Arlene’s nephew David, Lori (who suffered a terrible accident)and her family and my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life. And Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke. Update on Stella: She is 10 weeks old and has her own room at the hospital. The doctors continue to experiment with respirators, but her parents can see progress in her lung activity. They need your prayers so badly. Let’s all raise our voices to God to hear our prayers.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, those who need jobs, those who are about to lose or have lost their homes. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.