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Judges 19-20 – Praying through the Bible #79 – A Prayer of Mutual Destruction
In the 70’s, the United States and the Soviet Union got MAD. They formed a treaty of Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD). Armed with nuclear weapons, each nation could completely destroy the other. In war, there would be no victory, no peace, just retaliation and annihilation. Oddly, the goal was peace. Oddly, this reminds me of some prayers.
This story starts with a Levite and his cheating concubine whom he sends away and brings back (Judges 19.1-3). Traveling, they choose not to spend the night in Jebus because no Israelites lived there (19.10-12). Did he think it would be safer among God’s people? He should have stopped. Coming to Gibeah in Benjamin, no Israelite offers the safety of hospitality. Finally, an old man properly shows kindness. That night, Gibeah becomes Sodom. Perverted men surround the house, beat on the door, and demand: “Bring out the man who came to your house so we can have sex with him!” (19.22). Like Lot, this old man, due to hospitality customs requiring protection for guests, offers his own daughter; literally saying, “do what is good in your eyes” (19.24). Undeterred, the Levite protects himself, grabs his wife and gives her to these violators. They rape and abuse her all night (19.25). She dies with her hands by the front door.
In righteous indignation, the husband cuts her into 12 pieces and sends her body parts throughout the land (19.29-30). Outraged, Israel declares war on Gibeah. The tribe of Benjamin protects the perverts. The Israelites pray, “Who is to go first to fight for us against the Benjamites?” Yawheh answers, “Judah will be first” (20.18). Victory to Benjamin; 22,000 men of Israel die. Israel prays again, “Should we again fight against our brothers the Benjamites?” Yahweh answered, “Fight against them” (20.23). Victory to Benjamin; 18,000 Israelites die. Israel weeps, fasts, sits before God, offers sacrifices and prays for the third time: “Should we again fight against our brothers the Benjaminites or should we stop?” (20.28). Yahweh answers, “Fight, because I will hand them over to you tomorrow” (20.28). Victory to Israel; 25,100 Benjaminites die. Over 40,000 Israelites and over 25,000 Benjaminites die in this mutually destructive war.
Why do the Israelites, who prayed before all three battles, twice suffer defeat? Why do the Benjaminites, who protected perverts, win the first two times? Remember, this is a time when everyone did what was right their own eyes (17.5; 21.25). Now notice the Israelites attitudinal change from a focus on sinners to a focus on self. They weep, sit, and fast. They offer burnt offerings seeking God’s favor by admitting and atoning for sin; and fellowship offerings to maintain and strengthen a person’s relationship with God (20.26). Righteous people do not fight because we are better; but because we are forgiven. It appears the Israelites were not spiritually ready to wage war for God. Are we? If not, we are MAD; and are assured mutual destruction.
Prayer Challenge: Before waging war for God, we need to see if we are already on Satan’s side. Fast and pray for forgiveness and a stronger relationship with God.
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