Day 135

Judges 20:1-21:25, John 8:31-59, Psalm 61:1-8

Ok, not convinced by the “authorised kidnapping” in ch21 v20ff, that does seem a bit odd but on the other hand there is some real strong stuff in this battle.

Two things about how Israel conducted this fight stood out as I was reading today. First of all was the way in which they went to God for guidance. This was not something that was rash and ill thought out, instead it was something that was given to God and conducted in the way that He wants it to be conducted. As we share in the covenant service, letting God take control is something very relevant for us. The people who went up to battle didn’t do anything without God and nor should we!

The second thing that stood out was also about the manner in which they fought and that was as one body, "but the men of Israel encouraged one another”. When the chips were down they stood shoulder to shoulder, they encouraged one another. Comradeship which brought them together as a unit. This sense of togetherness went beyond the battlefield though, as the whole nation come together to mourn the loss of the bulk of Benjamin. Although these people died at their hands, they are still brothers in this nation that God has brought together and so there is a real sense of grief.

Working together though, and working together as a family, is not something that is restricted to the Old Testament as Christ continues the theme of his relationship with the father. It is the fact that Israel is one under Abraham that brings the togetherness of the Judges passage, and yet the people in the Gospel passage are divided under Abraham and therefore divided under God, to the extent that some are following the devil and ignoring God completely. What is the alternative, well it comes in yet another wonderful passage from John “Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free” (8:32).

Know the truth here and now and allow God to work with you in whatever you are fighting today.