Judges Chapter 19 Verse 1

● This first verse sets the scene for the tragic end to this book. “There was no king in Israel.” There was no king at all is what we will see. Everyone did what was right in their own eyes. No one took a step back and call an end to the madness. No one cared enough about the nation of families to come forward and demand righteousness. And so what we will see is a horrific civil war, brought about by (truly) a disgusting series of events.
● No king in Israel ultimately means more than the absence of a man ruling over the people. It also means that God was rejected as their leader as well…and the story we are about to see is an example of men and women totally warped because God ain’t the lead!
● The end of this book is so terrible that the commentator F.B. Meyer recommended not reading it at all. He remarked, “It will be sufficient to ponder these (first) words, which occur four times in the book, without reading further…which shows the depths of the depravity apart from the grace of God.”
● It all begins with an adulterous legal mistress of a non-practicing priest…go and figure that one out…

Judges Chapter 19 Verses 2 – 15

● Now the Bible commands (and God certainly expects) hospitality among His people and yet no one was willing to lodge them even for this one night. There is something very very wrong when there is a lack of hospitality among God’s people. I wonder if they would have found a willing host in the city of the foreigners?

Judges Chapter 19 Verses 16 – 26

● This is a horrible scene and I don’t want to camp out here at all but I will say this…why was her husband not willing to die for her? Here in is the difference between joining yourself to the world or to your Savior. The world will seek its own…and yet Jesus willingly died for you. Whom would you choose? Of course we would choose Jesus…so then why don’t we?? Why do we choose so poorly and take in the husband that readily hands us over to save his own skin? (And then blame God for it!) Man we need to open our eyes and acknowledge a God who loves us…

Judges Chapter 19 Verses 27 – 30

● This horrible and grotesque crime and action would be remembered for centuries as Hosea wrote in Hosea 9:9, “They are deeply corrupted, as in the days of Gibeah…”

Judges Chapter 20 Verses 1 – 23

● To the credit of the Israelites, they are choosing to confront this heinous sin and even after a very bad day, they do not stop inquiring of the Lord…

Judges Chapter 20 Verses 24 – 25

● So the next day doesn’t go well either for them. But you know what, they were doing what God would have them to do and here’s the thing, there is a great cost to pay in doing what is right!

Judges Chapter 20 Verses 26 – 28

● What is the difference today in how they are approaching the Lord? Do you see it? Today they are completely Fasting…bringing offerings…after the first failure, Israel was sorry and wept but it was only after the second failure that their sorrow and weeping prompted them to repentance and action. The sacrifice in this scene points to the sacrifice given for us…at the cross. Sorrow and weeping don’t change us…only repentance does…only actually taking care of the sin problem through taking it to the cross produces victory…

Judges Chapter 20 Verses 29 – 48

● There is wisdom and power to be found at the cross of Christ. They came defeated, they left encouraged and focused. The past attacks were careless and brutish…filled with pride, now they employ astounding wisdom and strategy…the same will be for you.

Judges Chapter 21 Verses 1 – 3

● God is so very patient. The answer is, “you, not Me.” I mean if God were to answer that openly He would reply, “Because of your sin.” But He is patient and He endures my sinful outbursts and dumb questions. The truth is that Benjamin was in sin and Israel was in sin…their slaughter of their brother’s family was entirely Their oath was entirely impulsive. And here they turn to God almost blaming him and now they will craft their own fix. Everyone did what was right in their own eyes…and so, more loss is ahead…

Judges Chapter 21 Verses 4 – 15

● Again, not God’s fault. Their grief should have been towards their own sin…but again, because it is not, more horror…

Judges Chapter 21 Verses 16 – 24

● They proposed and carried out a fix to their problem that created immense problems. This is horrible…first they are cursing their brothers but not only that they are kidnapping! I mean, can you imagine!? The solution to the things in your life that need to change, is that solution a problem for others? Is it honorable among all men…if not, keep praying and waiting!!
● There was an entirely different solution available right? Confess the sin of a stupid oath!!! And what’s crazy, this lack of humility and outpouring of foolishness will continue forward even past the era of the judges, past the era of having no king in the land because the first king of Israel, Saul…he will come from the tribe of… It keeps going, man…on and on…this issue of sin…
● Everyday new opportunities present themselves to turn to the Lord, choose wisdom and humility…go to the cross and find focus and strength, strategy and surety of heart for a future and a hope…and yes of course it will cost you! You may even pay what the outcome is worth! Imagine that! But it is worth it…don’t allow tragedy and foolishness like this in your heart!
● I didn’t say your life, I said your heart because Proverbs 4:23 shows us that from the heart comes our life. What your life looks like is what you have allowed your heart to be…Just like the nation…because…

Judges Chapter 21 Verse 25

● No king. Actions, attitudes, habits, lifestyle and directional decisions all based on moral relativism…what’s right in your eyes…and the result…well chapters I’d frankly rather skip…God alone can cut these chapters out of your life…