March 30
Read Judges 20 - 21
In Today's Reading:
Civil war between Benjamites and other tribes; Benjamites defeated; wives provided for few remaining Benjamites
The tribe of Benjamin refused to allow justice to be done to the homosexual mob that gang-raped a defenseless Israelite woman causing her death (see Judges 20:13). All the other tribes of Israel united to execute judgment against them and came to the House of God, and wept, and sat there before the LORD, and they fasted that day until evening, and offered burned offerings and peace offerings before the LORD (20:26). In deep humility, they committed themselves to the Lord.
It was only after they had built an altar and offered the required sacrifices for their own sins that the LORD said, Go up; for tomorrow I will deliver them into your hand (20:28). The tribe of Benjamin was almost destroyed before the consequences of this wicked sin had been meted out.
There is growing indifference to immorality in our society that is similar to what existed in the tribe of Benjamin. We have redefined sin. Adultery is now called "having an affair." Homosexuality is replaced with "gay and lesbian" or "alternative lifestyles." Fornication is referred to as "live-in lovers." The purpose of these word changes is to remove the sense of guilt for violating God's moral Law and to make the sinner feel comfortable, as they did when in those days . . . every man did that which was right in his own eyes (21:25). However, while hating and exposing sin, we must also show mercy and kindness as we pray for and lovingly entreat sinners to come to Christ and allow Him to change their lives for the Lord is . . . not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (II Peter 3:9).
All sin is abominable to our holy God; however, all sin that is truly repented of and forsaken is forgiven through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul reminded the Corinthians that some of them had been delivered from sexual sins when he wrote: Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind . . . shall inherit the Kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but you are washed, but you are sanctified (set apart), but you are justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God (I Corinthians 6:9-11).
Word Studies:
20:5 forced = raped; 20:6 lewdness = immoral, shameful conduct; 20:10 folly = wicked conduct; 20:29 liers = an ambush; 20:34 sore = a fierce disaster; 20:45 gleaned = caught, were cut off; 21:6 repented them = were sorry.
Christ Revealed:
As our Deliver (Judges 20:26,28). We are to pray and seek the Lord's will knowing He delivers us from evil. Our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world (Galatians 1:3-4).
Prayer Needs:
Pray for BPM Staff: Benjamin Wallace · Country: Seychelles (79,000) a group of islands in the Indian Ocean between Madagascar and India · Major languages: English and French · Religious freedom · 89% Roman Catholic; 8% Protestant · Prayer Suggestion: Seek God in prayer with your whole heart and He will hear you (Jeremiah 29:12-13).
Optional Reading: John 21
Memory Verse for the Week: Colossians 2:11