“But now this shall be the thing which we will do to Gibeah; we will go up by lot against it”
Context:The book of Judges is part of the Old Testament and tells the story of Israel during the time of the judges, after they entered the Promised Land. The period of the judges was characterised by a cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. Judges 20 recounts a severe incident involving the Levite’s concubine and the subsequent war between the tribes of Israel against the tribe of Benjamin.
The Levite’s Concubine:The chapter begins with the account of a Levite who had a concubine from Bethlehem in Judah. She was unfaithful to him and went back to her father’s house. After four months, the Levite travelled to her father’s house to bring her back. On their return journey, they lodged in the city of Gibeah, which was part of the territory of the tribe of Benjamin.
The Wickedness of Gibeah:In Gibeah, the men of the city surrounded the house and demanded the Levite to be brought out so that they could have sexual relations with him. Instead, the Levite offered his concubine to them, and they abused her throughout the night. The concubine died as a result of the abuse, and the Levite took her body and divided it into twelve pieces, sending a piece to each tribe of Israel to rally them against the wickedness of the men of Gibeah.
Preparing for War:The tribes of Israel gathered as one man at Mizpah to discuss the incident and seek justice. The Levite told the assembled tribes what had happened, and they were greatly outraged. They decided to take action against the tribe of Benjamin for their refusal to hand over the guilty men of Gibeah. The verse in focus, Judges 20:9a, describes their decision to go up against Gibeah by casting lots.
Casting Lots:In biblical times, casting lots was a method of making decisions or seeking guidance from God. The Urim and Thummim, sacred objects used by the priests, were often employed for casting lots. The tribes of Israel decided to cast lots to determine the order in which they would send their troops against Gibeah. This method was used to seek God’s guidance and avoid any accusation of favouritism or bias among the tribes.
Lessons and Application:
- Seeking Justice:The incident in Gibeah was a severe case of wickedness and injustice. The tribes of Israel recognised the need for justice and united to take action against the guilty parties. As Christians, we are called to stand against injustice and pursue righteousness in our society.
- Unity and Collaboration:The tribes of Israel came together as one to address the situation. Unity among believers is crucial in times of crisis or when facing moral challenges. By working together, they demonstrated their commitment to upholding the values and standards set by God.
- Seeking God’s Guidance:The tribes sought God’s guidance through casting lots. While this specific method is not commonly practised today, seeking God’s guidance through prayer and studying His Word is essential for making wise decisions. It reminds us of our dependence on God and the need to align our actions with His will.
- Consequences of Sin:The incident in Gibeah serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin. The sinful actions of a few individuals resulted in a destructive war that caused immense suffering and loss. It highlights the importance of personal responsibility and the impact our actions can have on others.
