Chapter 19
Judges 19:1 And it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite sojourning on the side of mount Ephraim, who took to him a concubine out of Bethlehemjudah.
Why does almost every chapter start with a concubine or a harlot or a second or third wife?
Judges 19:8 And he arose early in the morning on the fifth day to depart: and the damsel’s father said, Comfort thine heart, I pray thee. And they tarried until afternoon, and they did eat both of them.
I don’t know who has time like this to sit around and eat and drink all day. Goodness.
Judges 19:11 And when they were by Jebus, the day was far spent; and the servant said unto his master, Come, I pray thee, and let us turn in into this city of the Jebusites, and lodge in it.
If I’m not mistaken, this is Jerusalem. Which is troubling. Why is it still named after the Jebusites? Why have they not driven them out of the land? Why is it named after Jebusites and not Isrealites? This is a great sign at this point in the bible regarding the obedience of Israel and seriousness they took God about driving out the people of the land. Jebus. Of course, we still see this today. The Israelites to do no control Jerusalem. It’s divided. They don’t even have control of the temple mount. I don’t understand this. Why don’t they just take it. They say they’re waiting for the red heifer to cleanse everything. I saw claim everything and God will take care of the cleansing. Whatever. What do I know.
By the way, this is one of the most troubling passages of the old testament. Truly every man did that which was right in his own eyes. People were messed up. It was like Sodom and Gamorah there. I’m suprised that God did not reign down fire and brimstone on these people. Consider though, things don’t change. People don’t change. Sin doesn’t change. Every abomination that is committed in the leaves of this bible is happening now under our noses. There’s nothing new under the sun, as Solomon said.
Chapter 20
Judges 20:45 And they turned and fled toward the wilderness unto the rock of Rimmon: and they gleaned of them in the highways five thousand men; and pursued hard after them unto Gidom, and slew two thousand men of them.
A total of 25,000 men died of Benjamin because of the sin against the Levite’s concubine. This was almost the slaughter of the entire tribe of Benjamin. The book of Joshua ended with the threat of 3 tribes being slaughtered abated peace. But the book of Judges ends with almost the whole tribe of Benjamin wiped out.
Now, to their credit, I have to say, and I’m no judge, but I think they did right. Benjamin should have delivered up the perpetrators instead of defending them. If they did, things may have been different. But they stood up for sodomites and rapists and there you go. They got their just recompense.
Tribe against tribel. Divided a nation falls.
Chapter 21
Judges 21:21 And see, and, behold, if the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in dances, then come ye out of the vineyards, and catch you every man his wife of the daughters of Shiloh, and go to the land of Benjamin.
This is just too weird. I got to say, I think Christianity has been the greatest cause for women’s rights, the greatest movement for the dignity and respect of women across the world. I mean I read this and think, “What is this?” Cave people?
Uggg. Me hit this woman over head with club and take!
Like I said, these three chapters are the most troubling, sickest chapters to read in all the bible. And the shame goes to man, to our race. This is what happens when we turn from God, when we go after false Gods, when we forsake His Word, and we seek not the face of God.