“Benjamin Survives”
Now the men
of Israel had sworn in Mizpah, saying, “None of us shall give his daughter to
Benjamin in marriage.” (v.1)
After
the sin of Gibeah and the ensuing civil war, the surviving men of Benjamin
found themselves with no wives. Furthermore, all of Israel had taken an oath
not to give their daughters to Benjamin in marriage (because of the despicable
abuse suffered by an Israelite women in Gibeah). With no wives, the tribe of
Benjamin would soon die out and the Twelve Tribes of Israel would be forever
reduced.
Amid
the gross evils of this time, the people of Israel were very tenacious of their
vows, which had been ratified in the presence of God, and under the solemn
sanctions of the Tabernacle. Because they had sworn not to give their daughters
in marriage to Benjamin, they had to devise a plan to obtain wives for the six
hundred who had escaped massacre, that the tribe should not become extinct.
Sin
often creates messy situations. Israel could only keep the oath if they allowed
Benjamin to abduct the girls of Shiloh (v.20-21), for then their fathers hadn't
really given them away to marry (v.22), resulting in Benjamin’s survival. Despite Israel’s sin, rebellion, idolatry, chaos, and ethical
lapses, God allowed His people to survive.
His
grace and mercy are endless, even in our darkest times.
The
Truth
“In Him we
have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the
riches of His grace.” (Ephesians 1:7)
