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THE MEN WHO FAILED GOD (XI)
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8
Judges 20:22-28

Joshua 7:6-26

 

“Up, sanctify the people…”

 

THE MEN WHO FAILED GOD (XI)
 
The first outing was disastrous for the men of Israel, but they encouraged themselves and came back again at the Benjamites. Determined to go up again, they consulted the LORD with a similar question, though this time it was not “Which of us shall go up first?” but rather “Shall I go up again to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother?” (Judg 20:23). The men of Israel went against the Benjamites again. There was no thought of changing tactics and after the second defeat they retreated to the “house of God,” fasted, and offered sacrifices before the LORD (Judg 20:26). The consequences of sin when entertained is disastrous to the whole body, not just a part. Proverbs 14:34 affirms, “sin is a reproach to any people.” What started between individuals was now bearing a great cost to the whole nation, and would bear a greater cost on the tribe of Benjamin which chose to defend evil.
 
“…And the LORD said, Go up; for to morrow I will deliver them into thine hand” (Judg 20:28). The defeats led them to sober up. The shame and sorrow of defeat humbled them and they sat before the LORD, and offered burnt offerings (which are for atonement, Lev 1:4) and peace offerings before seeking counsel of God. The exercise of discipline cannot be pursued with a spirit of pride or anger, but with a spirit of humility and submission to God. There will be measures that need to be taken and steps followed to ensure the sin is removed. But discipline is not just for the removal of sin that reproaches the people, it is also for the restoration of the offending “brother.” In the first two battles, they fought as if Benjamin was the sinner, and they the righteous administrators of God’s justice. This time, they began with self-examination, and humble prayer before God’s presence. Paul to the Galatians lays the responsibility of restoration upon “ye which are spiritual” (Gal 6:1). Just like under Joshua, the LORD’s battles are spiritual and are to be fought only after sin within the camp has been dealt with. Even under Samuel, the nation spent a day in God’s presence before fighting the Philistines (1 Sam 7:6). It is not enough that we deal with the sins of others; we must with equal zeal and determination deal with ours too.
 
THOUGHT: Sin troubles the whole body; we must strive for purity.

PRAYER: Father, help me to nip my sin in its bud.

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