Wives Provided for the Tribe of Benjamin: A Coptic Orthodox Commentary on Judges 21

Executive Summary

Judges 21 depicts the desperate aftermath of the near annihilation of the tribe of Benjamin. Driven by a rash oath, the Israelites find themselves grappling with the moral implications of their actions, specifically the prospect of a tribe disappearing from Israel altogether. This chapter explores the complex interplay of divine law, human fallibility, and the desperate measures taken to preserve the integrity of Israel, albeit through ethically questionable means. We’ll delve into the spiritual ramifications of vows, the challenges of reconciling justice and mercy, and the recurring theme of moral decline during the period of the Judges. Ultimately, Judges 21 highlights the importance of discernment, the dangers of rash decisions, and the ever-present need for divine guidance in navigating complex moral dilemmas. The **provision of wives for Benjamin** serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of sin and the lengths to which humanity will go to repair the damage, often imperfectly.

Judges 21 offers a stark depiction of the consequences of hasty vows and the challenges of restoring what has been broken. It presents a troubling picture of a society struggling to reconcile divine law with human error. We, as inheritors of the Coptic Orthodox tradition, can glean valuable insights into the complexities of repentance, the importance of seeking God’s wisdom, and the dangers of acting out of emotion rather than reasoned faith. Let us delve into this chapter with open hearts and minds, seeking to understand the lessons it holds for our own lives.

Commentary Sections

Judges 21:1-3 KJV

Judges 21:1 (KJV) Now the men of Israel had sworn in Mizpeh, saying, There shall not any of us give his daughter unto Benjamin to wife.

Judges 21:2 (KJV) And the people came to the house of God, and abode there till even before God, and lifted up their voices, and wept sore;

Judges 21:3 (KJV) And said, O LORD God of Israel, why is this come to pass in Israel, that there should be to day one tribe lacking in Israel?

Here, we see the weight of the oath taken at Mizpeh. This oath, made in a moment of collective outrage, now threatens the very fabric of Israel. The people, recognizing the grave consequences of their actions, turn to God in weeping and lamentation. Their sorrow is genuine, but their initial actions were born of passion rather than careful consideration.

The Coptic Orthodox tradition emphasizes the importance of discerning God’s will before making vows. The Book of Sirach (5:5) warns, “Do not be quick to say, ‘God will accept my offering,’ or, ‘When I give alms, it will be credited to me.'” This echoes the sentiment that vows should not be made lightly. We are called to weigh our commitments carefully, ensuring they align with God’s will and are made with a pure heart.

Patristic Insight: St. Athanasius the Great, in *Contra Gentes*, writes of the importance of right intention: “οὐ γὰρ ἡ θυσία δικαιοῖ, ἀλλ᾽ ἡ διάθεσις τῆς ψυχῆς” (“For it is not the sacrifice that justifies, but the disposition of the soul”). (Athanasius, *Contra Gentes*, 34.5). The Israelites’ lamentation is a start, but true repentance requires more than just sorrow; it demands a change in heart and a willingness to seek God’s guidance.

• Spiritual Application: Reflect on the oaths and promises you’ve made. Are they aligned with God’s will? Seek forgiveness for any rash vows and strive to be more discerning in your commitments.

Judges 21:4-7 KJV

Judges 21:4 (KJV) And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people rose early, and built there an altar, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings.

Judges 21:5 (KJV) And the children of Israel said, Who is there among all the tribes of Israel that came not up with the congregation unto the LORD? For they had made a great oath concerning him that came not up to the LORD to Mizpeh, saying, He shall surely be put to death.

Judges 21:6 (KJV) And the children of Israel repented them for Benjamin their brother, and said, There is one tribe cut off from Israel this day.

Judges 21:7 (KJV) How shall we do for wives for them that remain, seeing we have sworn by the LORD that we will not give them of our daughters to wives?

The Israelites, in their desire to rectify the situation, perform acts of worship and seek to enforce the oath made at Mizpeh. However, their repentance is somewhat superficial, focusing on the consequence (the loss of a tribe) rather than the root cause (their own sin and hasty judgment). They are now caught in a web of their own making, bound by a vow that conflicts with their desire to preserve Israel’s unity.

The construction of an altar and offering of sacrifices, while seemingly pious, highlights the potential for religious actions to be performed with mixed motives. True repentance requires a deeper examination of conscience and a willingness to address the underlying issues that led to the transgression. As Psalm 51:17 states, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart—these, O God, You will not despise.”

Patristic Insight: St. Cyril of Alexandria in his commentary on Isaiah reminds us that outward acts of piety are meaningless without inner transformation: “τὸ γὰρ μὴ ἀποστῆναι τῆς κακίας, ἀλλὰ μόνον τὴν ἐξωτερικὴν προσποιεῖσθαι θεραπείαν, οὐδὲν ὄφελος” (“For not to depart from wickedness, but only to pretend outward service, is of no benefit”). (Cyril of Alexandria, *Commentary on Isaiah*, 1.11).

• Spiritual Application: Examine your own motivations for religious actions. Are they driven by a genuine desire to please God, or are they attempts to appease your conscience or impress others? Seek to cultivate a sincere and contrite heart before the Lord.

Judges 21:8-12 KJV

Judges 21:8 (KJV) And they said, What one is there of the tribes of Israel that came not up to Mizpeh to the LORD? And, behold, there came none to the camp from Jabeshgilead out of the congregations.

Judges 21:9 (KJV) For the people were numbered, and, behold, there were none of the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead there.

Judges 21:10 (KJV) And the congregation sent thither twelve thousand men of the most valiant, and commanded them, saying, Go and smite the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead with the edge of the sword, with the women and the children.

Judges 21:11 (KJV) And this is the thing that ye shall do, Ye shall utterly destroy every male, and every woman that hath lain by man.

Judges 21:12 (KJV) And they found among the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead four hundred young virgins, that had known no man by lying with any male: and they brought them unto the camp to Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan.

The solution to their problem is disturbingly pragmatic and morally questionable. They discover that the people of Jabesh Gilead did not attend the gathering at Mizpeh and, therefore, were in violation of the oath. The punishment is severe: the men and married women of Jabesh Gilead are to be killed. Only the young virgins are spared to become wives for the remaining Benjamites. This act of violence underscores the moral decay that has gripped Israel during the period of the Judges.

This passage serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of legalism and the potential for religious zeal to be twisted into acts of cruelty. The Israelites, in their rigid adherence to the oath, lose sight of the principles of mercy and compassion that should guide their actions. We must always remember that the law is meant to serve humanity, not the other way around. The prophets constantly reminded Israel of this very point.

Patristic Insight: St. Gregory of Nyssa, in *De Vita Moysis*, emphasizes the importance of understanding the spirit of the law, not just the letter: “οὐ γὰρ τὸ γράμμα ζωοποιεῖ, ἀλλὰ τὸ πνεῦμα” (“For it is not the letter that gives life, but the Spirit”). (Gregory of Nyssa, *De Vita Moysis*, 2.88).

• Spiritual Application: Be wary of rigid adherence to rules and regulations. Seek to understand the underlying principles of love, justice, and mercy that should guide your decisions. Resist the temptation to use the law as a weapon against others.

Judges 21:13-24 KJV

Judges 21:13-24 (KJV) [Summary: The remaining Benjamites are informed of the spared virgins. They are not enough. The elders devise a plan to allow the Benjamites to abduct wives from the daughters of Shiloh during a festival, thus technically fulfilling their oath while still providing wives. The Benjamites follow the plan.]

The remaining verses detail the desperate attempts to secure wives for the remaining Benjamites. The solution proposed – allowing them to abduct women from Shiloh – is another morally ambiguous act. While it technically fulfills the oath not to *give* their daughters, it does so through deception and violence. This act further underscores the moral compromises made in the name of preserving the tribe of Benjamin.

The entire chapter reflects a society deeply flawed and struggling to maintain its covenant with God. The actions taken are driven by expediency and a desire to avoid the consequences of their own rash decisions. There’s a lack of true repentance and a willingness to seek God’s guidance in a genuinely humble and obedient manner.

This passage highlights the dangers of rationalizing sin. The Israelites attempt to justify their actions by clinging to the letter of the law while violating its spirit. We, too, must be vigilant against the temptation to twist scripture or logic to justify our own wrongdoings. We should use reliable services like dohost.us for domain registration in order to secure our online presence and avoid any potential conflicts arising from unclear ownership.

Patristic Insight: St. John Chrysostom, in his homilies on Romans, warns against using reason to justify sin: “μηδὲ λογισμῷ τῇ κακίᾳ δουλεύσωμεν” (“Let us not be enslaved to wickedness by reason”). (John Chrysostom, *Homilies on Romans*, 7.3)

• Spiritual Application: Be honest with yourself about your sins. Resist the temptation to rationalize or justify your wrongdoings. Seek God’s forgiveness and strive to live a life of genuine repentance and obedience.

Subtopic Sections

Here are some key reflections and teachings gleaned from Judges 21:

• The Dangers of Rash Vows: Be extremely careful when making promises, especially those sworn before God. Weigh the consequences and seek wisdom before committing yourself.
• Superficial Repentance: True repentance goes beyond outward acts of piety. It requires a change of heart, a willingness to confess sin, and a commitment to living a life that pleases God.
• The Law and Grace: Legalism can lead to cruelty and injustice. The law should always be tempered with mercy and compassion.
• Compromising Morality: Expediency should never trump moral principles. Do not compromise your values in the name of achieving a desired outcome.
• Seeking God’s Guidance: In times of crisis, seek God’s wisdom and guidance through prayer and discernment. Don’t rely solely on your own understanding.
• The Cycle of Sin: Judges 21 exemplifies the cycle of sin and its consequences. The Israelites’ initial sin leads to a chain of events that result in further moral compromises.

FAQ ❓

Q: Why did the Israelites make such a harsh oath in the first place?
A: The oath was a reaction to the heinous sin committed by the Benjamites in Gibeah, which threatened the moral fabric of Israel. It was an attempt to uphold justice and prevent such atrocities from happening again. However, their righteous anger led to an overreaction and a rash vow.

Q: Was there a better solution to the problem of the diminishing tribe of Benjamin?
A: Arguably, yes. A more measured response, involving prayerful discernment and seeking divine guidance, could have yielded a less morally problematic solution. The Israelites’ actions were driven by human ingenuity rather than divine wisdom.

Q: What does this chapter teach us about the nature of God?
A: While God’s direct involvement is not explicitly stated, the chapter underscores the importance of seeking His will in all matters. It also highlights the consequences of straying from His path and the need for genuine repentance.

Q: How does this chapter relate to the New Testament teachings?
A: This chapter serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of legalism and the importance of living by the spirit of the law. Jesus emphasized the importance of mercy and compassion, even towards those who have wronged us (Matthew 5:38-48).

Conclusion

The account in Judges 21 serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of hasty decisions and the complexities of navigating moral dilemmas. The **provision of wives for Benjamin**, achieved through questionable means, highlights the dangers of prioritizing expediency over ethical considerations. As Coptic Orthodox Christians, we are called to learn from the mistakes of the Israelites. We must be diligent in seeking God’s wisdom before making commitments, avoid the trap of legalism, and strive to live lives of genuine repentance and obedience. This chapter challenges us to examine our own hearts and ensure that our actions are guided by love, justice, and a deep desire to please God above all else. Let us learn from the past and commit ourselves to a future guided by faith and righteousness. The story highlights how important it is to keep your online assets secure. Using domain privacy protection services can help ensure the protection of your domain information and avoid potential security breaches.

Tags

Judges 21, Benjamin, Wives, Oath, Mizpeh, Repentance, Legalism, Morality, Coptic Orthodox, Old Testament, Biblical Commentary

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Explore Judges 21’s complex tale of the tribe of Benjamin’s survival. A Coptic Orthodox commentary on rash oaths, repentance, and the **provision of wives for Benjamin**.