Justice of God revealed in Judges Chapters 19 and 20
In the Bible the Lord reveals Himself in different ways. At one place He reveals His unconditional love and compassion. At another He reveals His uncompromising justice; Still in some other places, we see His Holiness revealed.
Above all the ultimate intention of revealing Himself is that human beings should know Him better and better, come to Him closer and closer, participate in the administration of His Kingdom in Heaven and on Earth.
In the beginning God created the Heavens and Earth. But a part of it, namely the Earth was snatched away cunningly from His children by the enemy. Now He is in the process of regaining it through His Son Jesus Christ and His bride the Church on earth.
Our knowledge about God will be limited as long as we live on this earth.
“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. “
1Co 13:12
With this limited knowledge we can never grasp or fathom the depth of righteousness and justice with which He established the earth and sustains it. Still the Holy Spirit can help us to meditate and reflect on the justice and judgments of God.
Today while reading Judges chapter 20, the Lord spoke and gave me more clarity about this.
In Chapter 19 of Judges, we see the Israelites reaching the climax of sin. adultery and homosexuality prevails in its worst form among one tribe of the Israelites, Benjaminites. A Levite of Ephraim, took to himself a concubine from Bethlehem of the tribe of Judah. She becomes a victim to their abomination and outrage. Her husband the Levite approached the other tribes of the Israelites demanding justice.
“Behold, you people of Israel, all of you, give your advice and counsel here.“
Jdg 20:7
So the Israelites came together as one man. 4 lakhs warriors were invited and they all came.
“Then all the people of Israel came out, from Dan to Beersheba, including the land of Gilead, and the congregation assembled as one man to the LORD at Mizpah. And the chiefs of all the people, of all the tribes of Israel, presented themselves in the assembly of the people of God, 400,000 men on foot that drew the sword. (Now the people of Benjamin heard that the people of Israel had gone up to Mizpah.) And the people of Israel said, “Tell us, how did this evil happen?”
Jdg 20:1-3
He narrated the whole incident.
……“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.“
Jdg 20:4-6
They were all convinced that the outrage committed against the Israelite woman should be avenged for.
“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.“
Jdg 20:12-13
But they got ready for war and selected the men of war.
“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.”
Jdg 20:15
The Israelites asked the Lord, who should lead the war and go first? The Lord answered.
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.”
Jdg 20:18
“The people of Benjamin came out of Gibeah and destroyed on that day 22,000 men of the Israelites“
Jdg 20:21
Since the Israelites lost 22,000 in the war, they cried before the Lord and asked Him whether they can go a second time for war. The Lord replied positively.
“And the people of Israel went up and wept before the LORD until the evening. And they inquired of the LORD, “Shall we again draw near to fight against our brothers, the people of Benjamin?” And the LORD said, “Go up against them.”
Jdg 20:23
Two times they went to war with the Benjaminites. Both the times they were defeated.
They lost many of their men of war. Third time also they asked the Lord. It is described in the following verses.
Then all the people of Israel, the whole army, went up and came to Bethel and wept. They sat there before the LORD and fasted that day until evening, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD. And the people of Israel inquired of the LORD (for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days, and Phinehas the son of Eleazar, son of Aaron, ministered before it in those days), saying, “Shall we go out once more to battle against our brothers, the people of Benjamin, or shall we cease?” And the LORD said, “Go up, for tomorrow I will give them into your hand.”
Jdg 20:28
This time they changed their war strategy.
“So Israel set men in ambush around Gibeah“
Jdg 20:29
“And the LORD defeated Benjamin before Israel, and the people of Israel destroyed 25,100 men of Benjamin that day. All these were men who drew the sword.”
Jdg 20:35
Third time the Israelites won the war and defeated the Benjaminites.
First two times they used their head knowledge of fighting. Even though we do not know the reason for that defeat, I believe, their attitude would have been revengeful. Giving a tit for tat for what has been done to an Israeli woman. But the third time, they humbled themselves before the Lord. It is said,
They cried,
Fasted till evening and
Consulted the Ark of the Covenant. (where the presence of the Lord was).
Dear Soldiers of AOJ,
This speaks volumes to us about the judgments of God.
For every rape, for every act of adultery, for every act of injustice, the Heavenly Court will release a verdict, Irrespective of the likes, dislikes, or demands of the people concerned. This judgment will enter into the house of the culprit and consume it.
“I will send it out, declares the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter the house of the thief, and the house of him who swears falsely by my name. And it shall remain in his house and consume it, both timber and stones.”
Zec 5:4
The above verse is the verdict of a court judgment. Prophet Zechariah sees a scroll flying in the air. An angel asks him to capture it and execute the judgment written in it. This judgment was passed in the Heavenly Court on an appeal made by someone against theft and false swearing in the land where he lived. But unfortunately the one who made the appeal did not bother about the verdict that was passed in the Heavenly Court. Since there was no one to execute it, it was flying in the air.
It is the responsibility of the appellant prophets on earth to be vigilant about each verdict which is passed in the heavenly court and implement it on the earth.
Then only the Lord our God, the Heavenly Judge who passes just verdicts on every appeal submitted in the Court, will be glorified.
The 3 chapters in the book of Judges 19-21 teach us about the judgments of God.
They are flawless, spotless, pure as fire, not mixed with any human elements like emotions, partiality or recommendation.
Justice of God revealed in Judges 20
When the commandments of the Lord are violated on earth or when justice and righteousness of God is rejected in any portion of the land, by someone individually or collectively, someone should rise up immediately to avenge it and establish God’s righteousness on earth. Or else the enemy will rush to take advantage of the situation and steal anything from humanity. He gets the right for it. Unless and until a person rushes to the altar of the Lord (the Heavenly Court) and bring the blood of Jesus Christ as a reparation for the sin committed, the enemy will have claims on humanity to destroy, kill and to steal. At some end, in some country, in some part of the world, he will bring destruction. That is why saints’ prayers for forgiveness and worship should be offered to the Lord continuously from the earth. This way the enemy will have no claims .
“And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel. “
Rev 8:34
“And he dreamed, and behold, there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it!“
Gen 28:12
There are angels appointed in the duty of taking the prayers of all the saints to the golden altar before the throne. This quenches the wrath of God.
“All the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing twisted or crooked in them. They are all straight to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge. Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.“
Pro 8:8-11