“Now the men of Israel had sworn at Mizpah, ‘No one of us shall give his daughter in marriage to Benjamin.’ And they commanded the people of Benjamin, saying, ‘Go and lie in ambush in the vineyards and watch. If the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in the dances, then come out of the vineyards and snatch each man his wife from the daughters of Shiloh, and go to the land of Benjamin.’ ” (v1,20-21)
Judges ends on an interesting note – the people of Israel vow to never give their daughters in marriage to Benjamin (because of the tribe’s sin). However, they give Benjamin permission to steal some of their women, so they can claim that they didn’t give them willingly… an interesting loophole… It’s almost as if Israel is saying “We didn’t break our vow, we didn’t willingly give our daughters in marriage, Benjamin stole them… with permission… but we didn’t break our vow, right?”
The final verse in Judges is this reminder: “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (v25) I think that sufficiently describes what was happening in Israel.
Before we self-righteously judge Israel for being hypocrites, fools, or sinners, let’s first look in the mirror and remember that in our current times we’re still the same broken people that they were. Without God’s Spirit guiding us, we still do what is right in our own eyes (or the eyes of whomever we follow).
I encourage us to do what is right in God’s eyes, not the world’s. God created and redeemed us to bring Himself glory. By being obedient to God, we bring Him glory, and we honor Jesus’ sacrifice. Jesus was glorified by God, and God was glorified in Jesus: “…Jesus said, ‘Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once.’ ” (Jn 13:31-32)) If Jesus brought God glory, then so should we, and God will be glorified by working through us as well.
Father God, our Glorious King, holy and righteous is Your name. May all people from all the earth declare Your majesty and mighty deeds. Father thank you for sending Jesus to pay for our sin, so that our right relationship with You may be restored. Spirit please help us to abide in God, to direct all glory, honor and praise to Him, and not ourselves. May we display Jesus’ glory to those around us through Your works in us, and may others come to glorify You by following our/Jesus’ example. Father we don’t know why You’ve allowed our current world circumstances, but we can trust that somehow somewhere You are and will be glorified. Praise be to You, O lord God Almighty, Sovereign King of heaven and earth. In the name of Jesus, the one who brought You much glory, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training