YOUTH STS LESSON 184 MORAL PERVERSION IN GIBEAH AND PUNISHMENT OF BENJAMIN
Text: Judges 19:1–30; 20:1–48; 21:1–25
Memory Verse:
“In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.”
(Judges 21:25)
Gibeah was a city indwelled by the tribe of Benjamin. The evil and the moral perversion that occurred “when there was no king in Israel” is taking another dimension.
“And it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite sojourning on the side of mount Ephraim, who took to him a concubine out of Bethlehemjudah” (verse 1).
The man had problem with his wife and had gone to make peace with her. Coming back, he needed to take a rest in Gibeah, but the journey did not end well. Interestingly, the story teaches us of the danger inherent in late journey and how to make peace in a sour relationship. As can be clearly seen, the city inhabited men who had base desires and uncharitable character who were unfriendly to strangers.
Question 1: In your own words, what do you understand by moral perversion?
Moral perversion is unacceptable behaviour and character that leads to wickedness. This is exactly the case seen in our text.
“And it was so, that all that saw it said, There was no such deed done nor seen from the day that the children of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt unto this day: consider of it, take advice, and speak your minds” (verse 30).
The rape and eventual death of the man of mount Ephraim’s concubine by the Gileadite led to stiff conflict between Israel and Benjamin. The uncontrolled evil passion of the sons of Belial in Gibeah led them into rape. This later led to the death of the woman and many in Israel. Afterward, Israel almost wiped out the tribe of Benjamin.
If the sons of Belial thought deeply on the consequences of their action before they did it, the destructions that followed would have been avoided. Youths are to beware of uncontrolled lust in their hearts. When you are tempted to do evil, do not set your mind on the little gains you will derive from it. Take a thorough thought of the negative outcome of your action.
1. GIBEAH MORAL PERVERSION
(Judges 19:1–30; Romans 14:19; Hebrews 12:14; 2 Samuel 13:28–29; Daniel 5:1–5,30; 1 Timothy 5:6; John 11:9–10; Ephesians 5:10–11; 1 Thessalonians 5:7–8)
“…There was a certain Levite sojourning on the side of mount Ephraim, who took to him a concubine out of Bethlehemjudah…” (verses 1, 2).
The Levite took to him a concubine (not a wife). The problem was that she “played the whore against him, and went away from him unto her father’s house to Bethlehemjudah, and was there four whole months”. Obviously, there was no reason for which we could blame the man for the separation of his “concubine”. She was completely at fault as the Bible says she “played the whore”.
It is good to see that “her husband arose, and went after her, to speak friendly unto her, and to bring her again” (verse 3). The father of the lady, on seeing this responsible man, “rejoiced to meet him”. He took them in “three days: so they did eat and drink, and lodged there” (verse 4).
Question 2: What lessons can we learn from the action of the Levite to his concubine?
Christians cannot have concubines or love-friend. When we have a relationship with a friend that is going sour even when they might be obviously wrong, we are to follow peace and show ourselves friendly. Ability to keep friends is inherent in being able to show friendly attitude to those who may not even worth any relationship.
“And it came to pass on the fourth day, when they arose early in the morning, that he rose up to depart: and the damsel’s father said unto his son in law, Comfort thine heart with a morsel of bread, and afterward go your way. And they sat down, and did eat and drink… and tarry all night…” (verses 5–6).
The Levite chose to go with his concubine on the fourth day but his father-in-law urged him to refresh himself before going. He consented but could not control the merry atmosphere. “It lodged there again” (verse 7). The same thing happened on the fifth day. “…The damsel’s father said unto him, Behold, now the day draweth toward evening, I pray you tarry all night: behold, merry; and to morrow get you early on your way, that thou mayest go home” (verses 8–9). He has now realised that he was becoming carried away into merriment.
Question 3: What are the dangers in pleasure-seeking activities?
“But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.” (1 Timothy 5:6)
This man was so engrossed in pleasure that he forgot he had a long journey to embark on. So many people have died because they were given to pleasure in the face of obvious dangers. Examples include the people at Laish, Amnon, and King Belshazzar to mention but few. Pleasure-seeking shut their senses to the point that they did things that brought defilement and dishonour to God without considering the implications.
Even when danger loomed, they never took note of it as did this Levite! Unfortunately, he took a decision which was rather late — the decision that jeopardised their safety.
“But the man would not tarry that night, but he rose up and departed… And when they were by Jebus, the day was far spent; and the servant said unto his master, Come, I pray thee, and let us turn in into this city of the Jebusites, and lodge in it” (verses 10–11).
As the man was still refreshing himself with his wife, “…the men of the city, certain sons of Belial, beset the house round about, and beat at the door… saying, Bring forth the man that came into thine house, that we may know him” (verse 22). This is a repeat of the evil in Sodom! This desire was unreasonable and only to gratify the flesh. It was acknowledged as wickedness.
“And the man, the master of the house, went out unto them, and said… Nay, my brethren… do not so wickedly… do not this folly” (verse 23).
He even tried to offer his daughter but all to no avail (verses 24–25). As we can see in the life of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah, destruction awaits any youth who live in fleshly pleasure to satisfy their base nature.
“…They which commit such things are worthy of death…” (Romans 1:32).
When these men had satisfied themselves, they let the woman go. But she was so weak that she “…fell down at the door of the man’s house where her lord was, till it was light” (verse 26). It looked like the man had lost hope of seeing her again because he “…opened the doors of the house, and went out to go his way…” before he saw the lady lying down lifeless (verse 27). When the woman did not respond, then he knew she was dead. He took her to his house and cut her in “…twelve pieces, and sent her into all the coasts of Israel” (verse 29).
“And it was so, that all that saw it said, There was no such deed done nor seen… consider of it, take advice, and speak your minds” (verse 30).
2. ISRAEL DEMANDS JUSTICE FROM GIBEAH
(Judges 20:1–17; Joshua 22:10–16; Numbers 25:6–8; Exodus 23:2; 2 Corinthians 6:17)
“Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was gathered together as one man… unto the LORD in Mizpeh” (verse 1).
The eleven tribes of Israel summoned themselves to confirm this evil report. Their prompt action is commendable. They did not give excuse and stay out of the issue. They deemed it fit to assess and take immediate action.
Question 4: What lesson can Christian youths learn from their promptness?
Having listened to the aggrieved man, they decided,
“We will not any of us go to his tent, neither will we any of us turn into his house. But now this shall be the thing which we will do to Gibeah; we will go up by lot against it” (verses 8–9).
What a great challenge! There are some important questions we need to ask ourselves:
(i) How do you act when you discover that a brother has committed sin?
(ii) Whenever there is call for justice, how do you react?
(iii) Do you always forsake the assembly of the saints contrary to God’s command?
(iv) Do you respond immediately when you are called to repentance from your sin?
Think on these!
“So all the men of Israel were gathered against the city, knit together as one man…” (verses 11–12).
Question 5: How should sin be handled by the members of the Church?
The eleven tribes united to do justice against the offenders. They sent men requesting the release of the offenders for justice. Israel sought to punish only the offenders. This action was according to the word of God. Israel continued in their attempt to make Benjamin realise their wickedness.
Christian youths should imitate Israel in this area. Saved boys and girls should go preaching the word of God with the aim that converts be made and evil be removed from our country. Israel also mobilised their army — “four hundred thousand men that drew sword: all these were men of war”.
How God wishes that saved youths can mobilize themselves for the evangelism of unsaved youths! There is so much work to be done in the battle for the truth.
“Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” (John 4:35)
Will you be part of the army of Christ?
3. PUNISHMENT OF BENJAMIN AND HIS RE-ESTABLISHMENT
(Judges 20:18–48; 21:1–25; Deuteronomy 31:14–17; 32:21–26; Proverbs 1:24–31; 2 Chronicles 15:2)
“And the children of Israel arose, and went up to the house of God, and asked counsel of God, and said, Which of us shall go up first to the battle against the children of Benjamin? And the LORD said, Judah shall go up first” (Judges 20:18).
Israel decided to seek the direction of God as they approached the Benjamites in battle. This seems good, but their actions were only limited to knowing the tribe to go up first against Benjamin. At this time when the entire Israelites have gone into backsliding, Gibeah’s sin supposed to give them understanding of their depravity. They should have used this incident to reconcile with God. But they did not, and the outcome was defeat.
Question 6: What is the danger of repeating one’s mistake?
It is dangerous when youths repeat a mistake. He who does something the same way will always get the same result. That was the case with Israel. They hastily went back to war with Benjamites again and recorded a second defeat (verses 22–25). After this defeat, Israel went back to God and wept sorely.
They had good reason to weep. They lost forty thousand men on these two encounters. This time, they came with sincere heart and right understanding. They wept in brokenness, fasted, and prayed until evening. They offered sacrifices to atone for their sins. The priest was involved on this occasion. Whenever an erring child seeks God with sincerity, He will come to his help.
“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” (Proverbs 29:13)
God gave them direction and the time they would conquer. As Israel reconciled with God, they approached the war with a strategy.
“And Israel set liers in wait round about Gibeah” (verse 29).
Question 7: What is a strategy and how is it important for success in life?
A strategy is a plan, tactics, or approach to be adopted for victory or success in a given task. It is a designed road map to achieve a predetermined goal(s). The tribes of Israel had a plan to pursue this war and how to go about it this time.
Christian youths whose dream is success and victory should have a proper plan. This should include planning to go to school early and regularly, attending classes, and participating in all class work. They should draw out a reading plan and ensure that they follow it. They should adopt various techniques that aid reading, retention, and remembrance. Some proven techniques are mnemonics, and others.
Israel deliberately allowed the Benjamites to attack some of their armies to draw them out of the city and accomplish their plan.
“And there came against Gibeah ten thousand chosen men… but they knew not that evil was near them” (verse 34).
It worked as they pre-planned. Seeking God’s support makes our life’s endeavours successful. We should learn to plan with God from today.
In order to save them from the consequence of their hasty and rash vow,
“They said, What one is there of the tribes of Israel that came not up to Mizpeh to the LORD?…” (verses 8–9)
They found that “…there came none to the camp from Jabeshgilead…”. They resolved to send “…twelve thousand men of the valiantest… Go and smite the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead…” (verses 10–11).
Question 8: What are the dangers of rash and hasty decisions?
The consequences of hasty decisions are wrong judgment or injustice that leads to strife. When David’s eldest brother, Eliab, hastily judged his intention, he was mistaken (1 Samuel 17:20–24).
“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” (James 1:19)
Then the elders of the congregation said,
“How shall we do for wives for them that remain, seeing the women are destroyed out of Benjamin?…” (verses 16–18)
In their confusion, the elders of Israel thought of another thing to do.
“Then they said, Behold, there is a feast of the LORD in Shiloh yearly… Therefore they commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, Go and lie in wait in the vineyards” (verses 19–20).
They wanted them to kidnap women from other tribes of “the daughters of Shiloh”. Whether they feared God or not was not important; they were just desperate to get wives for the men of Benjamin. Hence, they got them wives and established them as a tribe again.
The result is that their lawlessness continued because:
“In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” (verse 25)
