The Problem with Doing What We Think Is Right (Judges 17-21)

A Few Thoughts to Consider

The key verse of Judges that sets up the transition to the Book of Ruth is Judges 21:25, which says, “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did whatever seemed right to him.”

In Judges 17-21, the focus shifts from individual judges to societal chaos and moral decay within Israel. The darkest and most harrowing episode in Judges 17-21 is the account of the Levite’s concubine in Gibeah. The story begins with the Levite traveling with his concubine and finding refuge in Gibeah, a city of the tribe of Benjamin. However, the men of Gibeah, influenced by their own depravity and disregard for hospitality and justice, demand to be allowed to sexually assault the Levite.

Instead, the concubine is sent out to them, and she is brutally raped and left for dead. The Levite then takes her body back to his home, where he dismembers her corpse and sends pieces of it to the twelve tribes of Israel, calling for justice. This appalling act triggers a response from the tribes, leading to a civil war between Benjamin and the rest of Israel. The war results in the near annihilation of the tribe of Benjamin and serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of unchecked moral decay and societal breakdown.

K. Lawson Younger Jr. writes, “The irony of the decision to travel on to Gibeah becomes apparent. Having eschewed the hospitality of foreigners and entrusted himself to Israelites, the Levite ‘finds himself in a virtual Sodom!’”^[1] This story is among the most gruesome ones in the Bible. Everything about it is awful. As Daniel Block writes, “By characterizing the ‘men of the city’ as ‘sons of Belial,’ the author has generalized the depravity of Gibeah to the entire male population.”^[2]

In addition to the sheer brutality, the moral rationalization the owner of the home presents is mind-boggling. K. Lawson Younger Jr writes, “That he should volunteer his own daughter is one thing; that he should volunteer the Levite’s concubine is another; but that he volunteer either is unimaginable. But then, he is only doing what is right in his own eyes!”^[3]

It’s similar to the rationalization we see given by Lot in Genesis 19. While some might see this passage as an indictment of the patriarchy, there is a larger principle at work. Israel is becoming more like the evil Canaanites and further from what God called them to be. And while it appears God is silent in the face of this horrendous evil, history tells us otherwise. As a result of this concubine’s death, the tribe of Benjamin (some of whom were perpetrators of this crime) is nearly destroyed, and God makes it clear he will not tolerate this level of depravity.

A Meditation to PRAY

Praise | I praise you for your steadfastness and the guidance you offer through your word. In the midst of chaos and confusion, direct me back to the path of righteousness. 

Release | I confess and release my tendency to follow my own desires without seeking your wisdom. Forgive me for the times I have chosen my way over yours, neglecting the guidance you provide.

Ask | In a world where everyone often does what is right in their own eyes, I ask for the courage and humility to seek your will above all. Give me discernment to live with a heart aligned to your commands.

Yield | I yield to your sovereign will, trusting that you lead me in love and wisdom. May I do what is right in your eyes, not just my own. Teach me to walk in obedience and faith.

A Challenge to Act Like Christ  

While most people today think of themselves as “moral people,” it’s important to note that without God as our model, we’ll likely make decisions we think are moral in the moment but are grave injustices against God and others. Slavery, abortion, and gender discrimination are just a few such examples.  

“Whenever we get away from God and his Word, all sorts of evil can follow. Our drifting away from God may be slow and almost imperceptible, with the ultimate results affecting a future generation.”^[4] We invert the gospel and invite Jesus to follow us and our agendas. In the process, we seek to create God in our image rather than living as image bearers of him.

Looking to Jesus is the only answer.

^[1]K. Lawson Younger Jr., Judges, Ruth, The NIV Application Commentary. Accordance electronic ed. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002), 356.

^[2]Daniel I. Block, Judges, Ruth, ed. E. Ray Clendenen and Kenneth A. Mathews, vol. 6 of The New American Commentary. Accordance electronic ed. (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 536.

^[3]K. Lawson Younger Jr., Judges, Ruth, The NIV Application Commentary. Accordance electronic ed. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002), 357.

^[4]Life Application Study Bible, Accordance electronic ed. (Carol Stream: Tyndale House Publishers, 2004), paragraph 2984.