“And it shall be, when their fathers or their brethren come unto us to complain, that we will say unto them, Be favourable unto them for our sakes: because we reserved not to each man his wife in the war: for ye did not give unto them at this time, that ye should be guilty.”
Historical Context:The book of Judges is set during a time when the Israelites had settled in the Promised Land, but they had not fully driven out all the Canaanite nations as God had commanded them. Instead, they coexisted with these pagan nations, which led to a decline in their spiritual and moral condition.
Context of the Chapter:Judges 21 concludes the account of a tragic event that occurred after a civil war between the tribe of Benjamin and the other tribes of Israel. The Benjamites had committed a heinous crime by sexually assaulting and killing a Levite’s concubine, which led to a war against them. After their defeat, the Israelites were concerned about the future of the tribe of Benjamin, as they did not want any tribe to be completely wiped out. Thus, they sought a solution to allow the Benjamites to rebuild their population.
Understanding the Verse:In Judges 21:22, the Israelites discuss their plan to address the issue of the surviving Benjamite men who did not have wives. They decided that if anyone, whether their fathers or their brethren, came to complain about the situation, they would ask them to be favourable or understanding towards the Benjamites. The reason given was that during the war, they had not allowed each man to have his own wife, as they did not give the Benjamites any of their own women to marry. By stating this, they hoped to avoid guilt and animosity.
- Moral and Spiritual Lessons:
- Desperation and Sinful Solutions:This verse reveals the desperation of the Israelites to find a solution to a difficult situation. However, their proposed plan raises ethical concerns as it involves deception and withholding wives from the Benjamites during the war.
- The Consequences of Disobedience:The situation with the Benjamites was a consequence of the Israelites’ failure to fully obey God’s commands to drive out the Canaanites. Their compromise in allowing these pagan nations to remain among them led to moral decay and violence.
- The Importance of Unity:The tribes of Israel recognised the need to maintain unity and solidarity among themselves. They were willing to make compromises and find a way to preserve the tribe of Benjamin, even though they had committed heinous acts.
- God’s Redemptive Plan:Despite the Israelites’ misguided actions, God remained committed to His covenant with them and worked within their flawed decisions to bring about redemption and restoration.
Application:
- Honouring God’s Commands:We should learn from the mistakes of the Israelites and strive to obey God’s commands fully. Partial obedience or compromise with sinful practices can have severe consequences.
- Seeking Unity and Reconciliation:The story highlights the importance of seeking unity and reconciliation within the community of believers. Even in challenging situations, we should prioritise forgiveness, understanding, and working towards peaceful resolutions.
- Trusting in God’s Redemption:The story of Judges reminds us that God can work in imperfect situations and use flawed individuals to accomplish His purposes. We should trust in His redemptive power and seek His guidance in all circumstances.
Remember to read the surrounding verses and consult other reliable Bible study resources to gain a comprehensive understanding of the passage.
