ADULT STS LESSON 184 MORAL PERVERSION IN GIBEAH AND PUNISHMENT OF BENJAMIN
MEMORY VERSE:
“Now as they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, certain sons of Belial, beset the house round about, and beat at the door, and spake to the master of the house, the old man, saying, Bring forth the man that came into thine house, that we may know him”
(Judges 19:22)
TEXT: Judges chapters 19 to 21
The account of the tragic and heinous wickedness perpetrated by “certain sons of Belial” in Gibeah in the text mirrors the extent of moral degeneracy in the town. Bereft of the Spirit of God and emboldened by the absence of governmental sanctions, there is hardly any depth of depravity sinners cannot descend. Gang-raping a woman to death in Gibeah was a result of the prevalence of violent crimes and absence of leadership to curtail people’s excesses in Israel. The negative response of the Benjamites and the civil war that followed are the inevitable harvest the nation reaped because they departed from God and His Law. The lesson here is that when an individual, family or nation abandons God, the inevitable result is a harvest of confusion, sorrow, pain and destruction.
1.DANGER OF PARENTAL INDULGENCE AND THE BLESSING OF FORGIVENESS AND RECONCILIATION
(Judges 19:1-9; Proverbs 22:6; Ezekiel 16:44,45; 2 Corinthians 3:3; Luke 6:42; Matthew 18:21,22; Romans 5:8; 12:17,18; Mark 11:25; Acts 24:16; Ezekiel 16:49)
At the root of the horrifying events in our study is the singular act of rebellion of the concubine against her husband and disobedience to the word of God. Concubines are second-rate wives permitted among the Jews in the Old Testament (Genesis 25:5,6; 22:24). In this particular case, parental indulgence seemed to have encouraged this woman in evil (verse 2). It is sad that her acts of whoredom did not meet with any action expressive of resentment or rebuke from her father. Parents, in some cases, cannot be exonerated from the vices in their children’s character. Since one cannot impart what one does not have, it is necessary for parents to be born again, and so be enabled to live upright lives before their children.
Meanwhile, there are some commendable character traits in the life of the Levite. “And her husband arose and went after her, to speak friendly unto her and to bring her again…” In Israel, under the Mosaic dispensation, such a grave infraction was visited with capital punishment. Though the concubine deserved condemnation, her injured husband set out on long hazardous journey for the purpose of reconciliation. Forgiveness of personal wrongs and reconciliation are accorded great prominence in the gospel of Christ. The word of God precludes us from retaliation in matters of personal wrongs and commands us to forgive those who offend us (Romans 12:17,18).
2.DESPICABLE PERVERSION IN GIBEAH
(Judges 19:10-30; Proverbs 21:31; Psalm 3:5; 4:8; Acts 27:10-14; 1 Peter 4:9; Romans 1:21-24)
By the time the Levite and his company “were by Jebus…”, the sun was about to set. His servant therefore suggested that they pass the night in the city of the Jebusites. But the Levite preferred to reach a city of Israel rather than turn aside into “a city of strangers”. He assumed (and reasonably too) that greater safety awaited them in a city of Israel than elsewhere. Their unexpected experience teaches that even in a most secure place, safety is of the Lord because the devil and evil people lurk everywhere (Proverbs 21:31).
While not totally discarding our human carefulness, effort and informed judgment, we must never rely on these only (Proverbs 3:5). The most knowledgeable person still needs divine guidance. However, the warm reception given to the Levite and his company by the old man is worth mentioning. Such hospitality is commanded in the Scriptures (1 Peter 4:9; Hebrews 13:2).
“Now as they were making their hearts merry… certain sons of Belial, beset the house round about… saying, Bring forth the man that came into thine house, that we may know him”. These words are reminiscent of the encounter between Lot, the angels and the homosexuals of Sodom (Genesis 19:4-11).
It is almost inconceivable that a group of men so vile, profane and perverted could be found in Israel. Blinded by their perverted passion, the “men of Belial” were deaf to all the entreaty of the old man to spare his guest. In his importunity, he went to the extent of offering both his daughter and the Levite’s concubine to these perverted men. This offer is condemnable as it amounts to appeasing a sinner with another sin or doing “evil that good may come”.
Being adamant, the Levite released his concubine whom the evil men of Gibeah abused all night. At dawn, she returned to the place her husband slept but collapsed at the doorstep and died. The grief-stricken and perplexed Levite took the body of his concubine home, cut it into twelve pieces according to the number of the tribes of Israel, and sent to each tribe, a piece of her defiled flesh.
3.DEED OF WICKEDNESS REHEARSED
(Judges 20:1-7; Joshua 22:11-34; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; 1 Timothy 5:21; Deuteronomy 1:16,17; Proverbs 18:5; Romans 2:1-3,21-23)
“Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was gathered together as one man, from Dan even to Beersheba…” (Judges 20:1). The expression, “from Dan even to Beersheba” signified the entire country. Dan was located in the northern part while Beersheba was in the south of the country.
The tribe of Benjamin, to which Gibeah belonged, did not respond to the summon and were not present at Mizpeh; so, Israel had to send men to them asking that the culprits be released to face justice (Judges 20:3,12,13).
The steps taken by the Israelites to address the crime committed by the men of Gibeah are commendable. That they asked the Levite to rehearse his own side of the story before the entire congregation and sent men to the tribe of Benjamin asking, “what wickedness is this that is done among you?” (Judges 20:12), underscore the importance of fairness in all matters.
It was an opportunity to hear the other side of the story, but the Benjamites were uncooperative. Instead, they became hostile and prepared for war. We should always follow due process to ensure that justice is administered in the church or elsewhere. There should be thorough and unbiased investigation to ascertain the truth of a matter (Deuteronomy 19:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; 1 Timothy 5:21; Leviticus 19:15; Deuteronomy 1:16; Proverbs 18:5). No one should allow tribal or friendship ties to becloud their sense of judgment.
4.DETERMINATION TO AVENGE THE WICKED ACT AND DEFENCE OF CRIMINALS BY THE BENJAMITES
(Judges 20:8-17; Deuteronomy 13:12-16; 22:22; Leviticus 18:22-30; 20:10,13; Jude 3; Philippians 1:27; Exodus 23:2,7; Jeremiah 23:14; Ezekiel 13:22)
The children of Israel manifested great zeal and commitment to deal with the sinners in Gibeah. They were united in the battle against lewdness in the land, even to the point of risking their lives. The reason Israel adduced for insisting on justice against Gibeah was to “put away evil from Israel”.
It was not a revenge mission but a desire to purge the land and avert divine punishment against the nation. Believers should spare no effort in dealing with sin in their own lives and in the church of the living God.
The reaction of the Benjamites to Israel’s demand for justice proved that they were biased, thoroughly backslidden and steeped in arrogance. Of a truth, “the backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways…” (Proverbs 14:14; 16:2; 21:2).
Whichever way it is considered, the Benjamites carried their tribal sentiment too far by mobilising 26,700 people to confront Israel’s 400,000 soldiers. They may have unwittingly felt that they had God on their side while thinking that the Israelites were idolaters. Also, they were probably relying on their 700 sharp slingers. In the end, they paid dearly for their misjudgment.
5.DANGER OF PRESUMPTION AND OVER-CONFIDENCE IN BATTLE
(Judges 20:18-25,8-11; Ezekiel 14:1-5; Proverbs 3:5-8; Numbers 27:21; Psalms 19:12,13; 33:16; 1 Kings 20:10-30)
Israel responded to the defiant attitude of the children of Benjamin by mobilising 400,000 soldiers against them. They presumed that they would win as they go to fight their brethren.
Before going to battle, they had asked, “which of us shall go up to the battle against the children of Benjamin? And the LORD said, Judah shall go up first” (Judges 20:18). God answered them according to the folly of their prayer. Despite seeking His counsel, they suffered defeat with 22,000 lives lost.
They “set the battle again in array in the place where they put themselves in array the first day” and went before the Lord weeping. The question they asked was, “shall I go up again to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother?” (Judges 20:23).
This prayer should have come before setting the battle in array. Again, they were confident of victory probably because of the size of their army. They neither saw the need to look inwards and examine themselves nor think it appropriate to make necessary sacrifices to God. Consequently, they were defeated again and another 18,000 men were lost.
We cannot use God for our own ends, and it is only when we put Him first in all our endeavours that we can experience His favour. Running our lives, family, church or ministry on the steam of God’s permissive will would not turn out to our profit in the end.
6.DIVINE FAVOUR THROUGH GENUINE REPENTANCE AND DEFEAT OF BENJAMIN
(Judges 20:26-48; James 4:8-10; Isaiah 55:6-9; 30:26; 57:15-18; Jonah 2:7-10; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Leviticus 26:40-42; Joshua 8:1-26; Proverbs 11:21; 16:5; Ecclesiastes 8:11-14; Job 20:5; Psalm 37:35-37)
After suffering two successive defeats and loss of 40,000 soldiers in battle, the Israelites saw the need to humble themselves before God and ask for His mercy before confronting their brother’s shortcomings (Judges 20:26; Matthew 7:1-5).
Their prayer on this occasion reflected a subdued spirit. This time, God’s answer to their request was complete: “Go up; for tomorrow I will deliver them into thine hand” (Judges 20:28). He gave them both direction and assurance of victory.
At the end of the battle, the entire tribe of Benjamin was almost wiped out. While the Israelites were purged of their over-confidence and presumption, the Benjamites appeared to have fallen into the same delusion.
Their winning streak in the initial battles had made them complacent and less discerning. But unknown to them, Israel had undergone a transformation and God had restored His support towards them. Those who appear to prosper while living in sin are treading on slippery grounds and their destruction will be so sudden and calamitous.
7.MOURNING FOR THE REMNANT AND RESTORATION OF BENJAMIN
(Judges 21:1-25; Lamentations 1:1-4,12,15; 1 Corinthians 12:14-27; Galatians 6:1,2; Romans 15:1-3)
The outcome of the war had brought Benjamin to near extinction. This realisation generated grievous mourning and lamentations among the other eleven tribes.
“And the people came to the house of God… lifted up their voices, and wept sore” (Judges 21:2). Benjamin was part of the nation which came out of the loins of Abraham and had been promised the land of Canaan. Now it has been severed (Judges 21:3).
They had gone out with impetuous zeal to render Benjamin desolate, killing all their women and children, leaving only 600 men without wives to propagate the tribe. In their anger, Israel made two rash vows without thinking of the consequences.
Firstly, they swore that none of the eleven tribes would give their daughters to Benjamin to marry. Secondly, that any tribe or lineage that was not present at the gathering at Mizpeh would be put to death.
Now that frayed nerves had been soothed, their eyes became opened to the grave consequences of their decision. In seeking the face of the Lord and a possible solution to the problem, they remembered that Jabeshgilead was not present among the congregation at Mizpeh.
So, they sent 12,000 valiant men to destroy them after which they saved all the virgins and gave them out as wives to the surviving Benjamites. Their actions should be condemned in the light of the Scriptures.
We must recall that all these happened after Israel had gone away from the Lord and there was no king to adjudicate according to the law of Moses (Judges 21:25). The punishment of Jabeshgilead was in response to their refusal to join Israel in the war for the extermination of evil and establishment of righteousness. Their supposed inability to be valiant for the truth earned them the destruction they experienced.
The clarion call is for Christians to “join the battle for the truth”. Benjamin was eventually settled in their own inheritance. This tribe produced the first king of Israel and the greatest apostle of Christ, Paul.
QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW:
1. Why should believers promote orderliness in the society?
Because God is a God of order, and believers are called to reflect His character by maintaining peace, discipline, and justice in society.
2. Explain the importance of bringing up our children in a godly way.
Training children in godliness helps them grow with moral values, avoid evil influences, and become responsible citizens who honor God and respect others.
3. What are the benefits of forgiveness and reconciliation?
Forgiveness and reconciliation bring peace of mind, restore broken relationships, remove bitterness, and attract God’s mercy and blessings.
4. Why do we still need to pray even in matters whose outcome or forecast seems certain?
Because God alone determines final outcomes, and prayer shows our dependence on Him, aligning our will with His perfect plan.
5. What spiritual condition lies at the root of homosexuality?
A depraved or reprobate mind caused by rejection of God’s truth and moral standards.
6. Why did Israel send messengers to the tribe of Benjamin and what does this teach us in the administration of justice?
They sought peaceful resolution before taking action, teaching that justice must be pursued with fairness, patience, and opportunity for repentance.
7. What can we learn from the zeal of the Israelites against the wickedness of the men of Gibeah?
We should hate and stand firmly against sin, not tolerate evil, and unite to uphold righteousness in our communities.
