The Battle Against Benjamin

And the children of Israel arose, and went up to the house of God, and asked counsel of God, and said, Which of us shall go up first to the battle against the children of Benjamin? And the LORD said, Judah shall go up first.
Judges 20:18 KJV

What happened as a private escaped of some young men looking for adventure has now become a national problem. Sin has a way of becoming exacerbated. Don’t accept what the enemy dangles. It has a way of multiplying the deceits. Now, its a battle involving the entire nation, with an entire tribe at the receiving end. And those boys, I wonder whether it was as sweet anymore. Now God has become a participant, naming Judah to go first to battle. Someone says,” This answer from God implies that He approved of Israel’s commitment to destroying the sin of Gibeah, even if it meant going to war against their own brothers.” Another person says, ” It was a positive sign to see Israel gather for such a reason. This showed that they were willing to deal with the problem of sin in their midst.” Yet another says that God took the people through a painful process of holy humbling. For once everybody went back to Bethel to enquire of the Lord. Don’t let one act ruin your chances with God and with men. In the end Benjamin lost the war. What are you likely to loose before you start?