Doing justice is not about getting even…

So the people of Benjamin saw that they were defeated. The men of Israel gave ground to Benjamin, because they trusted the men in ambush whom they had set against Gibeah. Then the men in ambush hurried and rushed against Gibeah; the men in ambush moved out and struck all the city with the edge of the sword. Now the appointed signal between the men of Israel and the men in the main ambush was that when they made a great cloud of smoke rise up out of the city the men of Israel should turn in battle. Now Benjamin had begun to strike and kill about thirty men of Israel. They said, “Surely they are defeated before us, as in the first battle.” But when the signal began to rise out of the city in a column of smoke, the Benjaminites looked behind them, and behold, the whole of the city went up in smoke to heaven. Then the men of Israel turned, and the men of Benjamin were dismayed, for they saw that disaster was close upon them. Therefore they turned their backs before the men of Israel in the direction of the wilderness, but the battle overtook them. And those who came out of the cities were destroying them in their midst. (Judges 20:36–42)

Judges is not a fun read. Even a love for justice was overcome by human passion to those guilty of outrageous sin in the lives of people belonging to God. Too many times the text says, “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” In this pursuit of justice for the sins of one tribe, the other people of Israel fell into a sinful passion and destroyed many of their kinsmen.

Eighteen thousand men of Benjamin fell, all of them men of valor. And they turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon. Five thousand men of them were cut down in the highways. And they were pursued hard to Gidom, and 2,000 men of them were struck down. So all who fell that day of Benjamin were 25,000 men who drew the sword, all of them men of valor. But 600 men turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon and remained at the rock of Rimmon four months. And the men of Israel turned back against the people of Benjamin and struck them with the edge of the sword, the city, men and beasts and all that they found. And all the towns that they found they set on fire. (Judges 20:44–48)

in the beginning, they were indignant at a great wrong and the dishonor done to the Lord. Those feelings were righteous and commendable with no reason to ignore them. However, their pure indignation became anger at the opposition to themselves, and instead of seeking justice against sin, their motive became a  blood-thirsty madness to defend themselves rather than the name of God. 

And so it is today in war, politics, and private quarrels. We can begin by being in the right, yet the original cause is often lost sight of in the process of the strife. New jealousies, hostilities, resentments, and violent feelings spring up, take possession, and instead of justice, we become a problem rather than a solution. One writer says it well: If I take it upon myself to stick up for right against wrong, I need to be very careful that no other passions mix in with the indignation against sin that comes from God.

I’m to be very zealous for right against wrong, for truth against falsehood, but be without favoritism. No matter who needs a rebuke, it must be pure and a simple zeal for God’s honor and glory, His law and His truth. Only this can make itself felt and not injure others or myself as I must serve God in truth and with with a calm, steadfast opposition to wrong, by my words or deeds. 

Jesus, Your zeal for Your Father’s honor was a consuming fire; but it went hand in hand with inexhaustible patience and gentleness towards sinners. Your severest rebukes sprang from Your hatred for sin. Your protest against wrong is as gentle as it is firm. This is what You desire from me, words that honor You yet with love and repentance in mind, not pain nor total outrage. I am also a sinner, not superior to anyone. I’m to be humble and without scorn, and must always be seeking Your honor and glory.

Love your enemies?

And the Levite, the husband of the woman who was murdered, answered and said, “I came to Gibeah that belongs to Benjamin, I and my concubine, to spend the night. And the leaders of Gibeah rose against me and surrounded the house against me by night. They meant to kill me, and they violated my concubine, and she is dead. So I took hold of my concubine and cut her in pieces and sent her throughout all the country of the inheritance of Israel, for they have committed abomination and outrage in Israel. Behold, you people of Israel, all of you, give your advice and counsel here.” 
And all the people arose as one man, saying, “None of us will go to his tent, and none of us will return to his house. But now this is what we will do to Gibeah: we will go up against it by lot. . . .  (and) repay Gibeah of Benjamin for all the outrage that they have committed in Israel.” 
So all the men of Israel gathered against the city, united as one man. And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, “What evil is this that has taken place among you? Now therefore give up the men, the worthless fellows in Gibeah, that we may put them to death and purge evil from Israel.” 
But the Benjaminites would not listen to the voice of their brothers, the people of Israel. Then the people of Benjamin came together out of the cities to Gibeah to go out to battle against the people of Israel. And the people of Benjamin mustered out of their cities on that day 26,000 men who drew the sword, besides the inhabitants of Gibeah, who mustered 700 chosen men. . . .  all these were men of war. The people of Israel arose and went up to Bethel and inquired of God, “Who shall go up first for us to fight against the people of Benjamin?” 
And the Lord said, “Judah shall go up first.” . . . . 
(Judges 20:1–28)

The people of Benjamin came out of Gibeah and destroyed on that day 22,000 men of the Israelites. This happened again, but the third time, after prayer and fasting, and offerings to the Lord, they asked again and the Lord said, “Go up, for tomorrow I will give them into your hand.” 

Last night our home group were asked what quality of God we would emphasize: His kindness or His sternness? Most said His kindness as shown in Jesus Christ rather than His sternness as seen in this narrative in Judges. However, I thought of Jesus overthrowing the money-changers tables in the NT and the several times His anger was expressed. God is both gracious showing mercy, yet holy and displaying His outrage at sin. 

Romans 11 tells how He uses even the sin of the Jews to show mercy to the Gentiles, and the faith of the Gentiles to reach the Jews. Then Paul declares, “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!”

It seems contrary to God's love and mercy to pit one tribe of His people against another, yet His attitude toward sin shows up in Judges, just as it shows up in the NT at the cross where His outrage against sin combined with mercy for sinners tell me that God is both. We would not realize His kindness if we didn’t know His outrage.

Jesus, You hate sin so much and love sinners so much that the only thing to do was take our sin upon Yourself and die for it so that we could escape its grasp. Your mercy is meaningless without realizing how badly we need it.

 

A long, sad story. . . .

So 600 men of the tribe of Dan, armed with weapons of war, set out. . . . and came to the house of Micah. . . .  Then the five men who had gone to scout out the country of Laish said to their brothers, “Do you know that in these houses there are an ephod, household gods, a carved image, and a metal image? Now therefore consider what you will do.”. . . . And the five men who had gone to scout out the land went up and entered and took the carved image, the ephod, the household gods, and the metal image, while the priest stood by the entrance of the gate with the 600 men armed with weapons of war. . . .   And the priest said to them, “What are you doing?” And they said to him, “Keep quiet; put your hand on your mouth and come with us and be to us a father and a priest. Is it better for you to be priest to the house of one man, or to be priest to a tribe and clan in Israel?” And the priest’s heart was glad. He took the ephod and the household gods and the carved image and went along with the people. So they turned and departed, putting the little ones and the livestock and the goods in front of them. When they had gone a distance from the home of Micah, the men who were in the houses near Micah’s house were called out, and they overtook the people of Dan. And they shouted to the people of Dan, who turned around and said to Micah, “What is the matter with you, that you come with such a company?” And he said, “You take my gods that I made and the priest, and go away, and what have I left? How then do you ask me, ‘What is the matter with you?’ ” And the people of Dan said to him, “Do not let your voice be heard among us, lest angry fellows fall upon you, and you lose your life with the lives of your household.” Then the people of Dan went their way. And when Micah saw that they were too strong for him, he turned and went back to his home. But the people of Dan took what Micah had made, and the priest who belonged to him, and they came to Laish, to a people quiet and unsuspecting, and struck them with the edge of the sword and burned the city with fire. . . .  And the people of Dan set up the carved image for themselves, and Jonathan the son of Gershom, son of Moses, and his sons were priests to the tribe of the Danites until the day of the captivity of the land. So they set up Micah’s carved image that he made, as long as the house of God was at Shiloh. (Judges 18:11–31)

Reading this result of worshiping idols makes my heart heavy. All this did for them was conflict and murder. Their gods did not do for them what the true God does for His people. This truth is repeated dozens of times in the OT and the NT:

“Is not the Lord your God with you? And has he not given you peace on every side? For he has delivered the inhabitants of the land into my hand, and the land is subdued before the Lord and his people. (1 Chronicles 22:18)
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:3)
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

Knowing inner peace is the epitome of the peace God gives. It is a peace that does not depend on circumstances but on a faith relationship with Him.

A current example of the need for peace in human hearts is on this week’s daily news. Gangs are destroying parts of Mexico and putting terror in the hearts of many who live or are vacationing there. Both those burning vehicles and buildings, and the people hiding in their hotels need the peace of God. What gods are they worshiping? 

And I need this amazing peace too, even just watching this violence on the news.

Jesus, You are the Prince of peace. You said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27) How we need You to give us this inner peace so that our world can experience the freedom of no more conflict. Come, Lord Jesus.

 

Keep away from idols…

There was a man of the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Micah. And he said to his mother, “The 1,100 pieces of silver that were taken from you, about which you uttered a curse, and also spoke it in my ears, behold, the silver is with me; I took it.” And his mother said, “Blessed be my son by the Lord.” And he restored the 1,100 pieces of silver to his mother. And his mother said, “I dedicate the silver to the Lord from my hand for my son, to make a carved image and a metal image. Now therefore I will restore it to you.” So when he restored the money to his mother, his mother took 200 pieces of silver and gave it to the silversmith, who made it into a carved image and a metal image. And it was in the house of Micah. And the man Micah had a shrine, and he made an ephod and household gods, and ordained one of his sons, who became his priest. In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. (Judges 17:1–6)

This one stumped me until I read the last line and the consequences. So far, most of the “therefore” passages have been consequences that had some virtue in them, but not this one. It reminded me of a radio preacher who told someone that she could choose whatever she wanted but she could not choose the consequences.

Micah later took in a traveller who claimed to be a “Levite” but may not have been. Eventually Micah paid him to be his priest, thinking that the Lord would prosper him because he had is own priest. In the above passage, he also had stolen money from his mother, paid it back, and she used part of it to make idols. He had a shrine and ordained one of his sons to be his priest. The Word of God describes all this as “everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”

Our world still has that happening. We watch leaders making moves that seem right to them and appalling to their people. Or the people go along with it because “it seems right” only to later moan because of the results.

This OT book is describing modern times, both politically and spiritually. There are hundreds, even thousands of belief systems and according to the Word of God, all but one of them is “doing what is right in their own eyes.” Even those who claim to be Christian think that salvation is a matter of doing “good works” and even having their own priests.” I talked with a cult member this week who boasts of numbers and having the right heart, yet his Savior is his organization and not Jesus. Did he ever hear Jesus say, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”? (John 14:6)

The world is full of idols, not always carved or made of metal. Some show up in what motivates life:

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:15–17)

John ended this letter with warnings to test the spirits and finished with these words: “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” (1 John 5:21)

Jesus, we got up early to watch a sporting event involving our country, but I’ve no intention of making an idol out of this or anything but You. I may miss the first part of the game, but spending time with You means being an overcomer, a winner. I shudder at stealing money from a family member, or giving it back so they could make idols, or considering anyone my priest but You. Yet I know these dangers and thank You for the saving power to say no to such worship. Thank You for loving me into Your kingdom.

Nothing is impossible with God

And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, so the Lord gave them into the hand of the Philistines for forty years. There was a certain man of Zorah, of the tribe of the Danites, whose name was Manoah. And his wife was barren and had no children. And the angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, “Behold, you are barren and have not borne children, but you shall conceive and bear a son. Therefore be careful and drink no wine or strong drink, and eat nothing unclean, for behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. No razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb, and he shall begin to save Israel from the hand of the Philistines.” (Judges 13:1–5)

This barren woman was startled, even fearful, when told by an angel that she would have a son and not an ordinary son. He would begin to defeat Israel’s most powerful enemy, the Philistines. It would be a long battle. After many defeats and efforts, they were ultimately subdued by King David around 1000 BC but continued to exist as a distinct group until that came to an end around 604 BC when Nebuchadnezzar finished their existence as a culture. However, since the name of Palestine comes from their name, perhaps the desire of that earlier enemy for Israeli land still exists.

As I read the above passage for personal application, two responses produced two emotions. One is that God prepared this woman to raise a child who would be a fighter for God. Sometimes his methods were wild and got him into trouble. He eventually died, taking with him many of those enemies. I know a bit about how she would feel as she watched him grow up and how God used him do those things he did. 

While some believe this is folklore, at least one researcher says, “the stories portray Yahweh working secretly, through human actions, with all their ambiguity, and openly, in direct answer to prayer, to defeat Israel’s enemies and the enemies’ god.” 

I tend to agree. I’ve also seen God use seemingly idiotic things like having sinful people deal with sinful people. I cannot judge God by the actions of such people. He had a plan and picked a most unlikely person to fulfill it. The NT backs this up.

For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:26–31)

My other response is that I was told how to raise my children, but as a new Christian did not realize how foolish it was to think that my way would be just as good. I’m thankful that they live decent lives and do good, but regret not paying closer attention to the Lord. At the same time, I know that He can do whatever He wants with anyone’s life, so am able to trust Him with my family, including grandchildren and great grandchildren. That means my regrets always need to be replaced by trust. Manoah and his wife were not perfect parents, and Sampson was a far from perfect son, but God did what He wanted and blessed them anyway.

Jesus, I know how easily I can slip from faith to thinking I can earn Your favor (or miss it) by the way that I live. This is the biggest error of sin — supposing that “if I only knew better” would make me better instead of remembering that Your blessings are neither earned or deserved.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8–10)

 

History does not need to keep repeating itself…

And the Ammonites crossed the Jordan to fight also against Judah and against Benjamin and against the house of Ephraim, so that Israel was severely distressed. And the people of Israel cried out to the Lord, saying, “We have sinned against you, because we have forsaken our God and have served the Baals.” 
And the Lord said to the people of Israel, “Did I not save you from the Egyptians and from the Amorites, from the Ammonites and from the Philistines? The Sidonians also, and the Amalekites and the Maonites oppressed you, and you cried out to me, and I saved you out of their hand. Yet you have forsaken me and served other gods; therefore I will save you no more. Go and cry out to the gods whom you have chosen; let them save you in the time of your distress.” 
And the people of Israel said to the Lord, “We have sinned; do to us whatever seems good to you. Only please deliver us this day.” So they put away the foreign gods from among them and served the Lord, and he became impatient over the misery of Israel. (Judges 10:9–16)

For months I’ve been thinking that the Lord is saying to this world the same thing He said to His OT people. They turned from His care and did their own thing, then ran into trouble and cried out to Him. He said they thought they had ways and means to live well without Him so He refused to bail them out.

Many in this era have ignored God, even insist that He does not exist. And as we watch things fall apart, it seems God is saying a similar thing: “You want to run your own lives? Let’s see how that works for you.”

The Israelites were distressed, but at least they recognized why they were having problems. They confessed their sin and begged God to deliver them. Were they sincere? Or were they trying to manipulate God? Only God knows motivations and the heart, but He took pity on them and sent a deliverer. However, the narrative of Judges revealed how this scenario kept repeating itself as the people “did what was right in their own eyes.”

And this history keeps repeating itself. The only way to have a genuine change of this cycle is true repentance which involves a change of mind and heart regarding sin. It is not merely saying I’m sorry because I got caught or was facing the consequences. However, it is also a gift from God, not something I can do apart from His mercy.

When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.” (Acts 11:18)
Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? (Romans 2:4)

While God tells us to repent, I know from personal experience that I might feel sorry for sinning, but any change of life is not a “work” that I can do to earn favor with God. If I could turn from sin, I would not need Jesus. He said, "Repent and believe the gospel" (Mark 1:15), indicating that recognizing my need for a Savior is the first step toward receiving God's mercy. This requires faith in what Jesus has done to secure my redemption.

Repentance is also a lifestyle and the key to spiritual growth. The NT makes clear that Christians are delivered from the penalty of sin, yet all our lives God is at work to deliver us from the power of sin — and repentance is part of that process.

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. (1 John 1:7–2:1)

When first saved, my mentor had me do a Bible study on sin. God revealed so much of it, and keeps revealing it. I am not fully like Jesus, yet that is His goal. If I sin and merely make excuses, or ignore it, or try to explain it away, then I am throwing a monkey wrench into the transformation process.

Jesus, You died to save me from the biggest sin of trying to live my own life without You. You live to transform me into Your image (Romans 8:28-29) and repentance is so vital to make that transformation possible. Help me to always be honest with You regarding sin and thankful to You for the gift of repentance.

Is there good news in bad news?

When Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled. And he sent messengers to Abimelech secretly, saying, “Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his relatives have come to Shechem, and they are stirring up the city against you. Now therefore, go by night, you and the people who are with you, and set an ambush in the field. Then in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, rise early and rush upon the city. And when he and the people who are with him come out against you, you may do to them as your hand finds to do.” (Judges 9:30–33)

When a leader becomes evil and angers God, there are usually others who support them anyway. Just reading the world news shows this is still true. Zebul gave Abimelech what he thought was good advice. It was followed and with ‘success’ in that this man destroyed many people. However. God used his decisions to destroy him.

Then Abimelech went to Thebez and encamped against Thebez and captured it. But there was a strong tower within the city, and all the men and women and all the leaders of the city fled to it and shut themselves in, and they went up to the roof of the tower. And Abimelech came to the tower and fought against it and drew near to the door of the tower to burn it with fire. And a certain woman threw an upper millstone on Abimelech’s head and crushed his skull. Then he called quickly to the young man his armor-bearer and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’ ” And his young man thrust him through, and he died. And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, everyone departed to his home. Thus God returned the evil of Abimelech, which he committed against his father in killing his seventy brothers. And God also made all the evil of the men of Shechem return on their heads, and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal. (Judges 9:50–57)

As I read and listen to current events, this OT story helps me to pray. I do not know the will of God but I do realize that many ‘leaders’ are making decisions that destroy people and the places where they live. Will God turn their own decisions against them? It is possible, and stories like this one give me confidence that God can use anything to serve His purposes. Even in the deaths of many, is He turning people to faith in Him? We hear those things, but not in mainline news. 

Sadly, even Christian news websites focus mainly on bad news rather than the greatest good news of all. Instead of glorifying the Lord, many of the stories are about the failures of humanity and of Christians to live for Christ, or about liberal groups that do not promote the gospel at all. Could these mean that His return is near? I don’t know, but all of it burdens my heart to pray more.

Yet You know, Jesus, the difficulties I’m having with prayer. It seems the hardest work of all, especially because I’d rather do just about anything else. Keep at me and block the discouragement and distractions. Help me see that the size of the needs are nothing compared to the power and grace of You.