The Horrors of a Civil War

Judges 20:24–35
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Her second advance against the Benjamites was again fiercely checked as 18,000 of her warriors lay dead on the field of battle (vv. 24-25). Perhaps one reason the Lord permitted Israel to have these initial defeats was to bring then to a point of repentance. Now fasting and the offering of sacrifices accompanied Israel’s tears and the Lord assured her of victory (vv. 26-28).

However, God’s promise of victory did not lead to presumption on Israel’s part. They reviewed and improved their battle strategy by setting a trap for the Benjamites (vv. 29-30). When they set up the same battle positions as before the Benjamites expected a decisive victory as on previous days. As the Benjamites came after them they deliberately fled away from the city (vv. 31-34). At the appointed time Israel had soldiers hiding who entered and burned the city of Gibeah. The rising smoke was a signal to Israel’s troops who were in flight from the attacking Benjamites to make an about face. The Benjamites saw their city engulfed in flames and realized they were pressed from all sides with hostile forces. They lost 25,100 men which was almost their entire force of 26,700 (v. 35). Joshua had used this strategy effectively in the conquest of Ai (Josh. 8:12-13) and now Israel employs it against little Benjamin.

Application

Because I don’t have success every time I try to do something in the Christian life doesn’t mean I shouldn’t seek the face of the Lord and try it again. I need to explain to my family how when they try to win someone to the Lord and they refuse to listen doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t try again. It just may be that the next time they witness they will want to listen.