Shevat 23 – The War on Benjamin

February 1, 2024

Shevat 23, 5784; from sunset February 1, 2024, to sunset February 2, 2024

This is the name Benjamin (Binyamin) as seen in our story (Judges 21:21) in the Aleppo Codex, which was written over 1000 years ago.

There are some stories in the Bible that you just wish weren’t in there. For me, this is top of the list. There is just so much wrong with everything that happens in it. But, perhaps, that’s the point. Judges chapters 19-21 recount the disturbing tale of a Levite from the hill country of Ephraim who took for himself a concubine from Bethlehem. She left him and returned home and he went there to retrieve her. After several days of hospitality from her father, they set out to return to Ephraim.

As the day began to draw to an end, they were near Jebus (Jerusalem); but the Levite did not want to pull in there for the night – he preferred to stay in a city which belonged to the sons of Israel. So they moved on a few more miles and made it as far as Gibeah, in the territory of Benjamin. They found themselves in the city square but no one would welcome them into their home. Finally, a man, who was also from the hills of Ephraim (but staying in Gibeah) saw them, invited them to stay with him, and provided them with food and drink.

Then, similar to the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, the wicked men of the city surrounded the house and wanted to have sex with the Levite. The man who owned the home they were staying in offered his virgin daughter and the Levite offered his concubine instead. The wicked men took the concubine and, in the morning, she was found dead at the door.

The Levite then proceeded to cut the body of his concubine into pieces and sent them out to the rest of the tribes as evidence of the crime. The results produced the expected shock in the nation of Israel. They gathered a council at Mizpah where the Levite offered his testimony. All Israel resolved to take action against the men of Gibeah.

A delegation was sent to the Gibeah demanding the surrender of the “sons of Belial” (sons of worthlessness). But when elders of the city refused to give them up, the situation escalated. It became a showdown between the whole tribe of Benjamin vs. the rest of Israel. Armies from the tribes converged upon Benjamin in a war which nearly brought about their extinction. Only 600 men of Benjamin remained. Then something clicked in the minds of the rest of Israel, “Maybe we shouldn’t exterminate one of our tribes.”

How did the situation get so far out of hand? Perhaps they saw the similarity between the men of Gibeah and the men of Sodom and Gomorrah? The lack of hospitality accompanied by lewd acts. What was God’s response to Sodom and Gomorrah? He utterly destroyed them. Shouldn’t that be the same approach used toward Gibeah? Isn’t this what God would do? And, what of the tribe of Benjamin? They came to the defense of their brothers rather than holding them accountable for their deeds. What part did they play in the escalation of the situation?

I’ll not copy out the entire text of these three chapters, but let you read it on your own. And when you do, try to read it with a grander view of the world. What do I mean? Look at the situation in our world today. How are we at providing hospitality? Do we offer food, drink, and shelter for strangers? Just as important, do we hold our brothers accountable for the things they are doing wrong? Maybe we could see the Levite, who was travelling to the “House of God,” in light of the Jews after the holocaust who were returning to their ancient homeland (the “House of God”). Were they offered a safe place to rest on their way? How many countries turned them away?

There are many facets to this story. What is the Bible trying to teach us? These are the final events listed in the book of Judges. The concluding words are, “There was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in their own eyes.” It seems to be setting the stage for the next book in the Bible – Ruth. The book of Ruth begins in the days of the judges and ends with the birth of her great, grandson, David. The man who was to become God’s choice for King of Israel.

Next, 1 & 2 Samuel take us through the messiness of the days of the Judges, up to the point where the people get fed up with the corruption. So much so that they “ask for” a king. Saul. Saul’s name means “Asked For.” God gave the people what they “asked for.” That didn’t go so well either, which brings us to David. God’s Anointed King. David united the tribes, fought against their enemies, established Jerusalem as his capital, and brought the presence of the LORD there. He was given the plans for the Temple. These are some of the same things we can expect from the Messiah-the Christ-the Anointed One when He returns. He will unite Israel, fight off their enemies, rebuild the Temple and be the dwelling presence of God there. However, we are warned that there will be someone who will portray himself to be the Messiah – but he is not. He is the Antichrist.

In the days to come, we need to be watchful, not fooled by this person or by false prophets. Pay attention to what a person does, you will know them by their fruit. Jesus warns us of these things in Matthew 7:

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.” – Matthew 7:15-20 (NKJ)