Day 96 of My 4th Bible Study Journey - 5 April 2024 reflections
Day 96, 5 April 2024
1) Judges 19, Judges 20, Judges 21
JUDGES 19
A Levite and His Concubine
1 (Jdg 18:1; 17:8) In those days, when there was no king in Israel,
there was a certain Levite living as resident foreigner in a remote
part of the hill country of Ephraim. He took a concubine for himself
from Bethlehem in Judah.
2 Yet his concubine became angry with him and went away from him
to her father's house at Bethlehem in Judah. She was there for four months.
3 (Ge 34:3; 50:21) Her husband got up and went after her in order to speak
tenderly to her and bring her back. His servant and two donkeys were with
him. When he came to her father's house, the girl's father saw him
and was happy to meet with him.
4 His father-in-law, the girl's father, prevailed upon him to stay with him
for three days. So they ate and drank and spent the night there.
5 (Ge 18:5; Jdg 19:8) On the fourth day they woke up early in the morning.
He got ready to go, but the girl's father said to his son-in-law,
"Strengthen yourself with a little food, and then you can go."
6 (Jdg 16:25; 19:9) So the two of them sat down to eat and drink together.
Then the girl's father said to the man,
"Please spend the night and let your heart be merry."
7 The man got up to go, but his father-in-law urged him until he turned back
and spent the night there.
8 He got up early in the morning on the fifth day to go. The girl's father said,
"Please, strengthen yourself and wait until later in the day."
So the two of them ate.
9 Then the man got up to go: he, his concubine, and his servant.
His father-in-law, the girl's father, said to him, "Look! It is getting dark.
Spend the night! Settle in and spend the night here, let your heart be merry.
You can get up early tomorrow and go home."
10 (Jos 15:8; 15:63) Yet the man did not want to spend the night,
so he got up and left and approached Jebus (that is, Jerusalem).
Two saddled donkeys and his concubine were with him.
11 When they were near Jebus, it was getting very late.
The servant said to his master, "Come, let us turn aside
to this Jebusite city and spend the night in it."
12 His master said to him, "We must not turn aside to a city of foreigners,
who are not children of Israel. We will continue on to Gibeah."
13 He said to his servant, "Come, let us go to one of these places.
We will spend the night in Gibeah or Ramah."
14 They continued and went on. The sun went down
when they were near Gibeah in Benjamin.
15 (Jdg 19:18) So they turned aside there to go and spend the night
in Gibeah. They went in and sat in the city square,
but no one took them in to spend the night.
16 (Jdg 19:1; Ps 104:23) Just then, an old man came in at evening time from
his work in the field. The man was from the hill country of Ephraim
and lived as a resident foreigner in Gibeah,
but the townspeople were Benjamites.
17 He looked up and saw the traveler in the city square.
The old man said, "Where are you going, and where do you come from?"
18 (Jdg 18:31) He said to him, "We are traveling from Bethlehem in Judah
to a remote part of the hill country of Ephraim. I am from there.
I went to Bethlehem in Judah, and now I am going to the house of the Lord.
No one has taken me into his home.
19 Yet there is enough straw and fodder for our donkeys, with bread and wine
for me, your maidservant, and the young man who is with your servant.
We do not lack anything."
20 (Jdg 6:23) The old man said, "Do not worry. I will take care of whatever
you need. Just do not spend the night in the city square."
21 (Ge 18:4; 43:24) So he brought him into his house and gave food
to his donkeys. They washed their feet, ate, and drank.
22 (Ge 19:4-5; Dt 13:13) While they were enjoying themselves, the men
of the city, who were wicked men, surrounded the house and pounded
on the door. They said to the old man, the master of the house,
"Bring out the man who came to your house, so we can have relations with him."
23 (Ge 34:7; Jdg 20:6) The master of the house went out to them and said,
"No, my brothers, do not commit this evil act, not after this man has come
into my house. Do not commit this disgrace.
24 (Ge 19:8; Dt 21:14) Here are my virgin daughter and the man's concubine.
Let me bring them out to you. Ravish them and do to them what you please.
But do not commit this vile act against this man."
25 The men were unwilling to listen to him, so the man seized his concubine
and brought her out to them in the street. They knew her and abused her all
night until morning. As the dawn began to break, they let her go.
26 The woman came back at daybreak and fell down at the door of the man's
house where her master was, lying there until it was light.
27 Her master got up in the morning and opened the doors of the house.
He went out to go on his way, but there was the woman, his concubine,
fallen at the door of the house with her hands on the threshold.
28 (Jdg 20:5) He said to her, "Get up, let us be going," but there was
no answer. So the man put her on a donkey and went home.
29 (1Sa 11:7) When he got home, he took a knife and seized his concubine,
then cut her body into twelve pieces. Then he sent her throughout
all the territory of Israel.
30 (Jdg 20:7; Pr 13:10) Everyone who saw this said, "Nothing like this has
been done or seen since the day the children of Israel came out of the land
of Egypt until today. Consider it, take counsel, and speak up!"
Judges 19
[1] And it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Israel,
that there was a certain Levite sojourning on the side of mount Ephraim, who
took to him a concubine out of Bethlehemjudah.
[2] And his concubine played the whore against him, and went away from him
unto her father's house to Bethlehemjudah, and was there four whole months.
[3] And her husband arose, and went after her, to speak friendly unto her,
and to bring her again, having his servant with him, and a couple of asses:
and she brought him into her father's house: and when the father of the
damsel saw him, he rejoiced to meet him.
[4] And his father in law, the damsel's father, retained him; and he abode
with him three days: so they did eat and drink, and lodged there.
[5] And it came to pass on the fourth day, when they arose early in the
morning, that he rose up to depart: and the damsel's father said unto his
son in law, Comfort thine heart with a morsel of bread, and afterward go
your way.
[6] And they sat down, and did eat and drink both of them together: for the
damsel's father had said unto the man, Be content, I pray thee, and tarry
all night, and let thine heart be merry.
[7] And when the man rose up to depart, his father in law urged him:
therefore he lodged there again.
[8] And he arose early in the morning on the fifth day to depart: and the
damsel's father said, Comfort thine heart, I pray thee. And they tarried
until afternoon, and they did eat both of them.
[9] And when the man rose up to depart, he, and his concubine, and his
servant, his father in law, the damsel's father, said unto him, Behold, now
the day draweth toward evening, I pray you tarry all night: behold, the day
groweth to an end, lodge here, that thine heart may be merry; and to morrow
get you early on your way, that thou mayest go home.
[10] But the man would not tarry that night, but he rose up and departed,
and came over against Jebus, which is Jerusalem; and there were with him two
asses saddled, his concubine also was with him.
[11] And when they were by Jebus, the day was far spent; and the servant
said unto his master, Come, I pray thee, and let us turn in into this city
of the Jebusites, and lodge in it.
[12] And his master said unto him, We will not turn aside hither into the
city of a stranger, that is not of the children of Israel; we will pass over
to Gibeah.
[13] And he said unto his servant, Come, and let us draw near to one of
these places to lodge all night, in Gibeah, or in Ramah.
[14] And they passed on and went their way; and the sun went down upon them
when they were by Gibeah, which belongeth to Benjamin.
[15] And they turned aside thither, to go in and to lodge in Gibeah: and
when he went in, he sat him down in a street of the city: for there was no
man that took them into his house to lodging.
[16] And, behold, there came an old man from his work out of the field at
even, which was also of mount Ephraim; and he sojourned in Gibeah: but the
men of the place were Benjamites.
[17] And when he had lifted up his eyes, he saw a wayfaring man in the
street of the city: and the old man said, Whither goest thou? and whence
comest thou?
[18] And he said unto him, We are passing from Bethlehemjudah toward the
side of mount Ephraim; from thence am I: and I went to Bethlehemjudah, but I
am now going to the house of the LORD; and there is no man that receiveth me
to house.
[19] Yet there is both straw and provender for our asses; and there is bread
and wine also for me, and for thy handmaid, and for the young man which is
with thy servants: there is no want of any thing.
[20] And the old man said, Peace be with thee; howsoever let all thy wants
lie upon me; only lodge not in the street.
[21] So he brought him into his house, and gave provender unto the asses:
and they washed their feet, and did eat and drink.
[22] Now as they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the
city, certain sons of Belial, beset the house round about, and beat at the
door, and spake to the master of the house, the old man, saying, Bring forth
the man that came into thine house, that we may know him.
[23] And the man, the master of the house, went out unto them, Nay, my
brethren, nay, I pray you, do not so wickedly; seeing that this man is come
into mine house, do not this folly.
[24] Behold, here is my daughter a maiden, and his concubine; them I will
bring out now, and humble ye them, and do with them what seemeth good unto
you: but unto this man do not so vile a thing.
[25] But the men would not hearken to him: so the man took his concubine,
and brought her forth unto them; and they knew her, and abused her all the
night until the morning: and when the day began to spring, they let her go.
[26] Then came the woman in the dawning of the day, and fell down at the
door of the man's house where her lord was, till it was light.
[27] And her lord rose up in the morning, and opened the doors of the house,
and went out to go his way: and, behold, the woman his concubine was fallen
down at the door of the house, and her hands were upon the threshold.
[28] And he said unto her, Up, and let us be going. But none answered. Then
the man took her up upon an ass, and the man rose up, and gat him unto his
place.
[29] And when he was come into his house, he took a knife, and laid hold on
his concubine, and divided her, together with her bones, into twelve pieces,
and sent her into all the coasts of Israel.
[30] And it was so, that all that saw it said, There was no such deed done
nor seen from the day that the children of Israel came up out of the land of
Egypt unto this day: consider of it, take advice, and speak your minds.
JUDGES 20
The Children of Israel Punish the Benjamites
1 (Jdg 11:11; 21:5) All the children of Israel from Dan to Beersheba,
and also from the land of Gilead, went out and gathered together in
an assembly as one man before the Lord at Mizpah.
2 (Jdg 8:10; 20:15) The leaders of all the people from all the tribes
of Israel presented themselves in an assembly of the people of God,
who numbered four hundred thousand infantrymen bearing swords.
3(The Benjamites heard that the children of Israel had gone up to Mizpah.)
The children of Israel said, "Tell how this evil happened!"
4 So the Levite, the husband of the murdered woman, answered,
"My concubine and I came to Gibeah, in Benjamin, to spend the night.
5 (Jdg 19:22; 19:25-26) Then the leaders of Gibeah rose up against me.
At night they surrounded the house where I was staying.
They wanted to kill me; instead they ravished my concubine so that she died.
6 (Jdg 19:29; Jos 7:15) I seized my concubine, cut her into pieces,
and sent her throughout all the territory of Israel,
because they committed an infamous and disgraceful act in Israel.
7 (Jdg 19:30) Now, all of you are children of Israel.
Give your advice and counsel here."
8 All the people arose as one man and said, "Not a man among us will go
to his tent, and no one will turn aside to his house.
9 Now this is what we will do to Gibeah. We will go against it by lot.
10 We will take ten men out of every hundred, from every tribe of Israel,
a hundred from every thousand, and a thousand from every ten thousand,
to bring provisions for the troops. Then when they come to Gibeah
in Benjamin, they may repay them for all the evil
that they committed in Israel."
11 So all the men of Israel gathered at the city, united like one man.
12 (Dt 13:14) The tribes of Israel sent men throughout the whole tribe
of Benjamin, saying, "What is this evil that has been committed among you?
13 (Dt 13:13; 17:12) Now hand over the wicked men in Gibeah,
so that we can kill them and purge the evil from Israel."
Yet the Benjamites were not willing to listen
to their fellow children of Israel.
14 The Benjamites gathered from their cities at Gibeah in order to go
out and wage war against the children of Israel.
15 (Nu 26:41) That day, the Benjamites mustered twenty-six thousand armed men
from the cities and seven hundred specially chosen men from Gibeah.
16 (Jdg 3:15; 1Ch 12:2) Out of all these people there were seven hundred
specially chosen men who were left-handed, all of whom could sling
a stone at a hair and not miss.
17 The men of Israel, apart from Benjamin, gathered four hundred thousand
armed men who drew the sword; all of them were men of war.
18 (Nu 27:21; Jdg 20:23) The children of Israel arose, went up to Bethel,
and asked God, "Who should go up first to wage war against the Benjamites?"
The Lord said, "Judah first."
19T he children of Israel got up in the morning and camped against Gibeah.
20 The men of Israel went out for battle with Benjamin,
and the men of Israel lined up for battle at Gibeah.
21 (Jdg 20:25) Then the Benjamites came out from Gibeah
and struck twenty-two thousand Israelite men down to the ground.
22 The people, the men of Israel, rallied and lined up for battle again
in the place where they had lined up on the first day.
23 (Jdg 20:26-27) Then the children of Israel went up
and wept before the Lord until evening. They asked the Lord,
"Should we advance and fight our brother-tribesmen the Benjamites again?"
The Lord said, "Advance against them."
24 So the children of Israel advanced against the Benjamites for the second day.
25 (Jdg 20:21) And on the second day, the Benjamites went out from Gibeah
to meet them and again struck eighteen thousand men down to the ground,
every one of them armed.
26 (Jdg 20:23; 20:18) Then all the children of Israel, all the people, went up
to Bethel where they wept and sat before the Lord.
They fasted that day until evening and offered burnt offerings and peace
offerings before the Lord.
27 (Jos 18:1; Jdg 20:18) The children of Israel asked the Lord
(because the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days,
28 (Dt 18:5; Jos 24:33) and Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron,
stood before it then), "Should we go out again to wage war with our
brother-tribesmen the Benjamites, or should we not?"
The Lord said, "Go up, for tomorrow I will give them into your hands."
29 (Jos 8:4) So Israel set an ambushing force around Gibeah.
30 The children of Israel went up against the Benjamites on the third day
and lined up at Gibeah as before.
31 The Benjamites went out to engage the people and were drawn away
from the city. They began to strike the people down as before. On the
main roads that go up to Bethel and Gibeah and in the field,
they struck down about thirty children of Israel.
32 The Benjamites said, "They are struck down before us like
at the beginning." But the children of Israel said, "Let us retreat
and draw them away from the city toward the main roads."
33 So all the men of Israel rose up out of their place
and assumed their battle positions at Baal Tamar.
Then the men of Israel in ambush charged out of their places,
out of the meadows of Gibeah.
34 (Jos 8:14; Job 21:13) Ten thousand specially chosen men
from all of Israel came against Gibeah. The battle was fierce,
and the Benjamites did not know that disaster was upon them.
35 The Lord defeated Benjamin before Israel, and that day the children
of Israel struck down 25100 Benjamites, every one of them armed.
36 The Benjamites saw that they were defeated.
Now the men of Israel had withdrawn from Benjamin, because they relied
on the men in ambush whom they had set against Gibeah.
37 (Jos 8:19) So the ambushing force rushed on and attacked Gibeah.
They struck down the whole city with the edge of the sword.
38 The men of Israel had made an agreement with the ambushing force
that when they sent up a large amount of smoke from the city,
39 (Jdg 20:32) the children of Israel would turn around in battle.
When the Benjamites had begun to strike the children of Israel down,
about thirty men, they said, "Surely they are struck down before us like
at the beginning."
40 (Jos 8:20) Yet when the smoke began to rise up from the city in a column,
the Benjamites looked behind them and suddenly noticed the whole city
going up in smoke to the sky.
41 Then the men of Israel turned around, and the men of Benjamin
were horrified because they saw that disaster had come on them.
42 So they fled from the men of Israel toward the direction
of the wilderness, but the battle overtook them. Whoever came out
of the cities destroyed them in their midst.
43 They surrounded the Benjamites, chased them without rest,
and trampled them down near Gibeah toward the east.
44 Eighteen thousand men from Benjamin fell; all these were men of valor.
45 (Jos 15:32; Jdg 21:13) The rest turned and fled toward the wilderness
to Rimmon Rock, and they cut down five thousand men on the main roads.
They pursued them relentlessly until they reached Gidom
and killed two thousand of them.
46 So the Benjamites who fell that day numbered 25000, every one
of them armed, valorous men.
47 However, six hundred men turned and fled toward the wilderness,
to Rimmon Rock. They dwelled at Rimmon Rock for four months.
48 Yet the men of Israel turned back against the Benjamites
and struck them with the edge of the sword-city inhabitants, animals,
and everything that could be found. Indeed, they set on fire every city
that could be found.
Judges 20
[1] Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was
gathered together as one man, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, with the land of
Gilead, unto the LORD in Mizpeh.
[2] And the chief of all the people, even of all the tribes of Israel,
presented themselves in the assembly of the people of God, four hundred
thousand footmen that drew sword.
[3] (Now the children of Benjamin heard that the children of Israel were
gone up to Mizpeh.) Then said the children of Israel, Tell us, how was this
wickedness?
[4] And the Levite, the husband of the woman that was slain, answered and
said, I came into Gibeah that belongeth to Benjamin, I and my concubine, to
lodge.
[5] And the men of Gibeah rose against me, and beset the house round about
upon me by night, and thought to have slain me: and my concubine have they
forced, that she is dead.
[6] And I took my concubine, and cut her in pieces, and sent her throughout
all the country of the inheritance of Israel: for they have committed
lewdness and folly in Israel.
[7] Behold, ye are all children of Israel; give here your advice and
counsel.
[8] And all the people arose as one man, saying, We will not any of us go to
his tent, neither will we any of us turn into his house.
[9] But now this shall be the thing which we will do to Gibeah; we will go
up by lot against it;
[10] And we will take ten men of an hundred throughout all the tribes of
Israel, and an hundred of a thousand, and a thousand out of ten thousand, to
fetch victual for the people, that they may do, when they come to Gibeah of
Benjamin, according to all the folly that they have wrought in Israel.
[11] So all the men of Israel were gathered against the city, knit together
as one man.
[12] And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin,
saying, What wickedness is this that is done among you?
[13] Now therefore deliver us the men, the children of Belial, which are in
Gibeah, that we may put them to death, and put away evil from Israel. But
the children of Benjamin would not hearken to the voice of their brethren
the children of Israel:
[14] But the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together out of the
cities unto Gibeah, to go out to battle against the children of Israel.
[15] And the children of Benjamin were numbered at that time out of the
cities twenty and six thousand men that drew sword, beside the inhabitants
of Gibeah, which were numbered seven hundred chosen men.
[16] Among all this people there were seven hundred chosen men lefthanded;
every one could sling stones at an hair breadth, and not miss.
[17] And the men of Israel, beside Benjamin, were numbered four hundred
thousand men that drew sword: all these were men of war.
[18] 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.
[19] And the children of Israel rose up in the morning, and encamped against
Gibeah.
[20] And the men of Israel went out to battle against Benjamin; and the men
of Israel put themselves in array to fight against them at Gibeah.
[21] And the children of Benjamin came forth out of Gibeah, and destroyed
down to the ground of the Israelites that day twenty and two thousand men.
[22] And the people the men of Israel encouraged themselves, and set their
battle again in array in the place where they put themselves in array the
first day.
[23] (And the children of Israel went up and wept before the LORD until
even, and asked counsel of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up again to battle
against the children of Benjamin my brother? And the LORD said, Go up
against him.)
[24] And the children of Israel came near against the children of Benjamin
the second day.
[25] And Benjamin went forth against them out of Gibeah the second day, and
destroyed down to the ground of the children of Israel again eighteen
thousand men; all these drew the sword.
[26] Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came
unto the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the LORD, and fasted
that day until even, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before
the LORD.
[27] And the children of Israel inquired of the LORD, (for the ark of the
covenant of God was there in those days,
[28] And Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stood before it in
those days,) saying, Shall I yet again go out to battle against the children
of Benjamin my brother, or shall I cease? And the LORD said, Go up; for to
morrow I will deliver them into thine hand.
[29] And Israel set liers in wait round about Gibeah.
[30] And the children of Israel went up against the children of Benjamin on
the third day, and put themselves in array against Gibeah, as at other
times.
[31] And the children of Benjamin went out against the people, and were
drawn away from the city; and they began to smite of the people, and kill,
as at other times, in the highways, of which one goeth up to the house of
God, and the other to Gibeah in the field, about thirty men of Israel.
[32] And the children of Benjamin said, They are smitten down before us, as
at the first. But the children of Israel said, Let us flee, and draw them
from the city unto the highways.
[33] And all the men of Israel rose up out of their place, and put
themselves in array at Baal-tamar: and the liers in wait of Israel came
forth out of their places, even out of the meadows of Gibeah.
[34] And there came against Gibeah ten thousand chosen men out of all
Israel, and the battle was sore: but they knew not that evil was near them.
[35] And the LORD smote Benjamin before Israel: and the children of Israel
destroyed of the Benjamites that day twenty and five thousand and an hundred
men: all these drew the sword.
[36] So the children of Benjamin saw that they were smitten: for the men of
Israel gave place to the Benjamites, because they trusted unto the liers in
wait which they had set beside Gibeah.
[37] And the liers in wait hasted, and rushed upon Gibeah; and the liers in
wait drew themselves along, and smote all the city with the edge of the
sword.
[38] Now there was an appointed sign between the men of Israel and the liers
in wait, that they should make a great flame with smoke rise up out of the
city.
[39] And when the men of Israel retired in the battle, Benjamin began to
smite and kill of the men of Israel about thirty persons: for they said,
Surely they are smitten down before us, as in the first battle.
[40] But when the flame began to arise up out of the city with a pillar of
smoke, the Benjamites looked behind them, and, behold, the flame of the city
ascended up to heaven.
[41] And when the men of Israel turned again, the men of Benjamin were
amazed: for they saw that evil was come upon them.
[42] Therefore they turned their backs before the men of Israel unto the way
of the wilderness; but the battle overtook them; and them which came out of
the cities they destroyed in the midst of them.
[43] Thus they inclosed the Benjamites round about, and chased them, and
trode them down with ease over against Gibeah toward the sunrising.
[44] And there fell of Benjamin eighteen thousand men; all these were men of
valour.
[45] And they turned and fled toward the wilderness unto the rock of Rimmon:
and they gleaned of them in the highways five thousand men; and pursued hard
after them unto Gidom, and slew two thousand men of them.
[46] So that all which fell that day of Benjamin were twenty and five
thousand men that drew the sword; all these were men of valour.
[47] But six hundred men turned and fled to the wilderness unto the rock
Rimmon, and abode in the rock Rimmon four months.
[48] And the men of Israel turned again upon the children of Benjamin, and
smote them with the edge of the sword, as well the men of every city, as the
beast, and all that came to hand: also they set on fire all the cities that
they came to.
JUDGES 21
Wives for the Benjamites
1 (Jdg 20:1; 21:18) In Mizpah the men of Israel had taken an oath:
"No one among us will give his daughter to a Benjamite as his wife."
2 (Jdg 20:26; 20:18) So the people came to Bethel and sat there before
God until evening. They raised their voices and wept, sobbing loudly.
3 They said, "Why, Lord God of Israel, has this happened in Israel,
that today a tribe is missing from Israel?"
4 (2Sa 24:25) In the morning the people got up early and built an altar
there. They offered burnt offerings and peace offerings.
5 (Jdg 5:23) The children of Israel said, "Who from all the tribes of Israel
did not go up with the assembly to the Lord?" For they vowed a solemn
oath regarding whoever did not go up to the Lord at Mizpah stating,
"He must be killed."
6 (Jdg 21:15) The children of Israel lamented for Benjamin their brother,
and said, "One tribe is cut off from Israel today.
7 (Jdg 21:1) What can we do to find wives for those who are left?
For we swore by the Lord not to give them our daughters as wives."
8 (1Sa 31:11-13) So they said, "Is there anyone from among the tribes
of Israel who did not go up to the Lord at Mizpah?" Then they learned
that no one from the camp of Jabesh Gilead had come to the assembly.
9 When the people were counted, indeed, there was not a man there
from among the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead.
10 (Jdg 5:23; 21:5) So the assembly sent twelve thousand valorous men there
and commanded them, "Go and strike down the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead
with the edge of the sword, including women and children.
11 (Nu 31:17-18) This is what you will do: You will kill every man
and every woman who has slept with a man."
12 (Jos 18:1) So among the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead they found
400 virgins who had never slept with a man, and they brought them
to the camp at Shiloh in the land of Canaan.
13 (Dt 20:10; Jdg 20:47) Then the whole assembly sent someone to speak
to the Benjamites who were at Rimmon Rock, and they declared peace.
14 So the Benjamites returned at that time, and they gave to them the women
who were still alive from among the women of Jabesh Gilead.
Yet they did not find enough for them.
15 (Jdg 21:6) The people felt sorry for Benjamin, for the Lord had made a gap
among the tribes of Israel.
16 The elders of the assembly said, "What can we do to find wives for those
who are left? The Benjamite women were destroyed."
17 They said, "There must be an inheritance for the remnant of Benjamin,
so that a tribe will not be wiped out from Israel.
18 (Jdg 21:1) Yet we cannot give them our daughters for wives,
for the children of Israel swore, 'Cursed be anyone who gives
a wife to Benjamin.' "
19 They said, "Wait! There is an annual festival of the Lord in Shiloh,
which is north of Bethel, east of the main road that goes up from Bethel
to Shechem, and south of Lebonah."
20 So they commanded the Benjamites, "Go and hide in the vineyards.
21 (Ex 15:20; Jdg 11:34) Watch, and then when the daughters of Shiloh
come out to dance in the dances, come out from the vineyards
and have every man grab a wife for himself from among
the daughters of Shiloh. Then go to the land of Benjamin.
22 (Jdg 21:1; 21:18) When their fathers or their brothers come to us
to complain, we will say to them, 'Be favorable to them for our sakes,
because we did not take for each man a wife in the battle;
for you have not given women to them at the time,
thereby making yourselves guilty.' "
23 (Jdg 20:48) So the Benjamites did this. They carried away wives
for each man from among the dancers that they caught. Then they
returned to their inheritance, rebuilt the cities, and lived in them.
24 At that time, the children of Israel departed from there each man
to his tribe and to his family. They went out from
there to their own inheritance.
25 (Jdg 17:6; 18:1) In those days there was no king in Israel;
everyone did what was right in his own eyes.
Judges 21
[1] Now the men of Israel had sworn in Mizpeh, saying, There shall not any
of us give his daughter unto Benjamin to wife.
[2] And the people came to the house of God, and abode there till even
before God, and lifted up their voices, and wept sore;
[3] 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?
[4] 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.
[5] 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.
[6] And the children of Israel repented them for Benjamin their brother, and
said, There is one tribe cut off from Israel this day.
[7] 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?
[8] 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
Jabesh-gilead to the assembly.
[9] For the people were numbered, and, behold, there were none of the
inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead there.
[10] And the congregation sent thither twelve thousand men of the
valiantest, and commanded them, saying, Go and smite the inhabitants of
Jabesh-gilead with the edge of the sword, with the women and the children.
[11] And this is the thing that ye shall do, Ye shall utterly destroy every
male, and every woman that hath lain by man.
[12] And they found among the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead 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.
[13] And the whole congregation sent some to speak to the children of
Benjamin that were in the rock Rimmon, and to call peaceably unto them.
[14] And Benjamin came again at that time; and they gave them wives which
they had saved alive of the women of Jabesh-gilead: and yet so they sufficed
them not.
[15] And the people repented them for Benjamin, because that the LORD had
made a breach in the tribes of Israel.
[16] Then the elders of the congregation said, How shall we do for wives for
them that remain, seeing the women are destroyed out of Benjamin?
[17] And they said, There must be an inheritance for them that be escaped of
Benjamin, that a tribe be not destroyed out of Israel.
[18] Howbeit we may not give them wives of our daughters: for the children
of Israel have sworn, saying, Cursed be he that giveth a wife to Benjamin.
[19] Then they said, Behold, there is a feast of the LORD in Shiloh yearly
in a place which is on the north side of Bethel, on the east side of the
highway that goeth up from Bethel to Shechem, and on the south of Lebonah.
[20] Therefore they commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, Go and lie
in wait in the vineyards;
[21] And see, and, behold, if the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in
dances, then come ye out of the vineyards, and catch you every man his wife
of the daughters of Shiloh, and go to the land of Benjamin.
[22] And it shall be, when their fathers or their brethren come unto us to
complain, that we will say unto them, Be favourable unto them for our sakes:
because we reserved not to each man his wife in the war: for ye did not give
unto them at this time, that ye should be guilty.
[23] And the children of Benjamin did so, and took them wives, according to
their number, of them that danced, whom they caught: and they went and
returned unto their inheritance, and repaired the cities, and dwelt in them.
[24] And the children of Israel departed thence at that time, every man to
his tribe and to his family, and they went out from thence every man to his
inheritance.
[25] In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was
right in his own eyes.
2) Our Daily Bread for 5 April 2024 entitled
God's Presence
Ecclesiastes 3:1-11
A Time for Everything
1 (Ecc 3:17) To everything there is a season,
a time for every purpose under heaven:
2 (Heb 9:27; Job 14:5) a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to uproot what is planted;
3 (1Sa 2:6; Hos 6:1-2) a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 (Ex 15:20; Ro 12:15) a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 (2Ki 3:25; Joel 2:16) a time to cast away stones,
and a time to gather stones;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 a time to gain, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 (Am 5:13; Ge 37:29) a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 (Lk 14:26) a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time of war, and a time of peace.
The God-Given Task
9 (Ecc 1:3; 2:11) What benefit does the worker have in his toil?
10 (Ge 3:19; Ecc 2:26) I have seen the task that God has given to sons of men
to be concerned with.
11 (Ecc 8:17; Ro 11:33) He has made everything beautiful in its appropriate
time. He has also put obscurity in their hearts Or timelessness,
or perpetuity. so that no one comes to know the work that God has done
from the beginning to the end.
Ecclesiastes 3
1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose
under the heaven:
2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck
up that which is planted;
3 a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down,
and a time to build up;
4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to
embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 a time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence,
and a time to speak;
8 a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
9 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?
10 I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men
to be exercised in it.
11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set
the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that
God maketh from the beginning to the end.
Monique was struggling. She had friends who were believers in Jesus,
and she respected how they handled life's struggles. She was even a bit
jealous of them. But Monique didn't think she could live the way they did;
she thought having faith in Christ was about following rules. Finally, a
fellow college student helped her see that God wasn't out to spoil her life;
instead, He wanted the best for her amidst her ups and downs. Once she
understood this, Monique was ready to trust Jesus as her Saviour
and embrace the magnificent truth about God's love for her.
King Solomon could have given Monique similar advice. He acknowledged
that this world does have its sorrows. Indeed, "To every thing there
is a season" (Ecclesiastes 3:1)-"a time to mourn, and a time to dance" (v. 4).
But there's more. God "has also set eternity in the human heart" (v. 11).
An eternity meant to be lived in His presence.
Monique gained life "to the full," as Jesus said (John 10:10), when she
trusted Him. But she gained so much more! Through faith, the
"eternity in [her] heart" (Ecclesiastes 3:11) became the promise of a
future when life's struggles will be forgotten (Isaiah 65:17)
and God's glorious presence will be an eternal reality.
By: Dave Branon
Reflect & Pray
How have you experienced the fulfilling life Jesus offers?
What are some things about your life in Him that you’re thankful for?
Dear Jesus, Solomon was right.
Life is a rollercoaster. Thank You for making this life
valuable and worth the effort. And thank You for the
eternal joys that await.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 5 Rejoice in Grace - Day 6 God Works!
Phil 2:12-13
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence,
but so much more in my absence, work out your own salvation
with fear and trembling.
13 For God is the One working in you, both to will and to do His good pleasure.
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence
only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation
with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will
and to do of his good pleasure.
"I just can't do it!" Marlys, a career woman in her 30s, was struggling to fit
her new Christian principles into the business world. Accustomed to the
cutthroat tactics of the corporate hierarchy, she has a hard time knowing
Jesus' examples of grace and mercy applied.
Marlys was right. She couldn't do it. In our own strength, none of us is able
to "live the Christian life." Someone has said, " The Christian life isn't
difficult -- it's impossible!" Only the power of the Holy Spirit is
effective to work the needed changes in our priorities and behaviour;
only God can accomplish what he calls us to do.
In Phillippians 2:12, Paul says "work it out." If we stop there,
we are likely to throw up our hands in despair.
But the good news appears in verse 13:
" For God is the One working in you, both to will and to do His good pleasure."
WE are not left on our own to figure out how to live the Christian life.
God gives us both the will and the ability to obey him, to live in a way
that will please him.
The key to a God-pleasing life is not performance, but obedience. God does not
expect us to "do great things" for him, to deserve his love and grace.
Our part in the process of salvation is to respond in obedience to the Lord,
to say "yes" to what he asks of us. We cannot change ourselves;
we cannot even know ourselves apart from the Spirit's insight. But
as we cooperate with him, as we agree to be obedient, the Spirit changes us
within, and those changes are "worked out" into our lives.
Application
a) Have I ever tried to "Live the Christian life" on my own strength?
What was the result?
b) In what practical ways is Paul's declaration that "God works in me"
good new in my life?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Malachi 3:10-12
10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in
My house, and test Me now in this, says the Lord of Hosts, if I will not
open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing,
that there will not be room enough to receive it.
11 I will rebuke the devourer
for your sakes, so that it will not destroy the fruit of your ground,
and the vines in your field will not fail to bear fruit,
says the Lord of Hosts.
12 Then all the nations will call you blessed, for you will be
a delightful land, says the Lord of Hosts.
10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in
mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not
open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall
not be room enough to receive it.
11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy
the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit
before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.
12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be
a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are Worried Over Money
Matt 6:19-21
Treasures in Heaven
Lk 12:33-34
19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth
and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.
20 But store up
for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroy
and where thieves do not break in nor steal,
21 for where your treasure is,
there will your heart be also.
19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth
and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth
nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2022 edition?)
Manitoba
Quick facts on Muslims in Manitoba
Manitoba 2015 population 1 282 000
est Muslim Population 21 349
CNMM Networks: Winnipeg
The Muslim population of Manitoba, understandably centred in Winnipeg, is very
diverse and represents some 48 different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
Conservative estimates put their number at 21000 , with some suggesting
it might be twice that size.
Some outreach among Muslims has started, yet in comparison to the size
of this community, there is the need and opportunity for far more engagement.
Continued influx of new immigrants and refugees continues to see the growth
of this Muslim centre in Manitoba.
We rejoice in the Arabic fellowship meeting there and the energetic workers
among Muslims in Winnipeg.
Let us intercede in unity for:
- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population
- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim
communities around them, as well as training new workers
- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim
background believers and for effectiveness in outreach
- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground
in the face of opposition to her new faith.
- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged
with great support
Adding further
Pray for the Riau Malay
Matthew 11:28-30
28 (Jn 7:37; 6:37) "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened,
and I will give you rest.
29 (Jer 6:16; Jn 13:15) Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me.
For I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
[Jer 6:16. ]
30 (1Jn 5:3) For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”
[28] Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give
you rest.
[29] Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in
heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
[30] For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
"Have you heard of Lailat al Qadr, or the Night of Power?" Laman asked
a gospel worker as they shared coffee together. Laman is one of 2.2 million
Riau Malay Muslims in Indonesia.
"Lailat al Qadr is the most special night of the year. The barrier separating
heaven and earth is at its thinnest. One fortunate individual’s prayer will
be granted, completely, no questions asked! Imagine that!"
"Why this night?" asked the gospel worker.
"Good question. It marks the night when the Qur'an
was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad."
"So what prayers will you be praying through the night Laman?"
Laman's eyes clouded as he thought of his recently deceased parents.
The years during the COVID pandemic had been difficult and the communal meals
he held to pray for them had been more modest than he had wanted. His heart
felt heavy as he considered that the fate of his parents depended
on the prayers of remaining family members.
He sighed, "My deepest desire is for my mother and father to be accepted
by Allah. May all their sins be forgiven."
How to Pray
As Riau Malay seek Allah's favour during the Night of Power,
pray their eyes will be opened to see that God accepts all
who come to Him through Jesus Christ.
Pray that Riau Malay Muslims will know that they can give their economic
and family burdens to Jesus, and he will give them rest.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to stir Christians in Riau province
to boldly share their faith with Riau Malay Muslims.
See also Pray for Egyptians
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
5th Day of the Month
a) Pray for Canada's First Nation peoples,
that the Lord will draw them to Himself
(PS 145:13-18
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and Your dominion endures throughout all generations.
14 The Lord upholds all who fall,
and raises up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all wait upon You,
and You give them their food in due season.
16 You open Your hand
and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
17 The Lord is righteous in all His ways
and loving in all His works.
18 The Lord is near to all those who call upon Him,
to all who call upon Him in truth.
)
Mem
13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
And thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.
Samek
14 The LORD upholdeth all that fall,
And raiseth up all those that be bowed down.
Ain
15 The eyes of all wait upon thee;
And thou givest them their meat in due season.
Pe
16 Thou openest thine hand,
And satisfiest the desire of every living thing.
Zade
17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways,
And holy in all his works.
Qoph
18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him,
To all that call upon him in truth.
b) Pray for the Lord to search your life ,
reveal anything offensive and cleanse you from unrighteousness
( ps 139:24 " and see if there is any rebellious way in me,
and lead me in the ancient way. "
24 And see if there be any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.
1: John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us
our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. "
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray not to be in conflict .
Pray to the Lord: "Dear Jesus, Solomon was right.
Life is a rollercoaster. Thank You for making this life
valuable and worth the effort. And thank You for the
eternal joys that await."
Pray to the Lord and pray to live Life under the Lord.
Pray to the Lord and pray to be a generous giver.
Pray to the Lord and pray to lay treasure in Heaven.
Agree in prayer with us for:
- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population
- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim
communities around them, as well as training new workers
- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim
background believers and for effectiveness in outreach
- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground
in the face of opposition to her new faith.
- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged
with great support
How to Pray
As Riau Malay seek Allah's favour during the Night of Power,
pray their eyes will be opened to see that God accepts all
who come to Him through Jesus Christ.
Pray that Riau Malay Muslims will know that they can give their economic
and family burdens to Jesus, and he will give them rest.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to stir Christians in Riau province
to boldly share their faith with Riau Malay Muslims.
Pray for Canada's First Nation peoples,
that the Lord will draw them to Himself
Pray for the Lord to search your life ,
reveal anything offensive and cleanse you from unrighteousness
Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness
Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God
1) Judges 19, Judges 20, Judges 21
JUDGES 19
A Levite and His Concubine
1 (Jdg 18:1; 17:8) In those days, when there was no king in Israel,
there was a certain Levite living as resident foreigner in a remote
part of the hill country of Ephraim. He took a concubine for himself
from Bethlehem in Judah.
2 Yet his concubine became angry with him and went away from him
to her father's house at Bethlehem in Judah. She was there for four months.
3 (Ge 34:3; 50:21) Her husband got up and went after her in order to speak
tenderly to her and bring her back. His servant and two donkeys were with
him. When he came to her father's house, the girl's father saw him
and was happy to meet with him.
4 His father-in-law, the girl's father, prevailed upon him to stay with him
for three days. So they ate and drank and spent the night there.
5 (Ge 18:5; Jdg 19:8) On the fourth day they woke up early in the morning.
He got ready to go, but the girl's father said to his son-in-law,
"Strengthen yourself with a little food, and then you can go."
6 (Jdg 16:25; 19:9) So the two of them sat down to eat and drink together.
Then the girl's father said to the man,
"Please spend the night and let your heart be merry."
7 The man got up to go, but his father-in-law urged him until he turned back
and spent the night there.
8 He got up early in the morning on the fifth day to go. The girl's father said,
"Please, strengthen yourself and wait until later in the day."
So the two of them ate.
9 Then the man got up to go: he, his concubine, and his servant.
His father-in-law, the girl's father, said to him, "Look! It is getting dark.
Spend the night! Settle in and spend the night here, let your heart be merry.
You can get up early tomorrow and go home."
10 (Jos 15:8; 15:63) Yet the man did not want to spend the night,
so he got up and left and approached Jebus (that is, Jerusalem).
Two saddled donkeys and his concubine were with him.
11 When they were near Jebus, it was getting very late.
The servant said to his master, "Come, let us turn aside
to this Jebusite city and spend the night in it."
12 His master said to him, "We must not turn aside to a city of foreigners,
who are not children of Israel. We will continue on to Gibeah."
13 He said to his servant, "Come, let us go to one of these places.
We will spend the night in Gibeah or Ramah."
14 They continued and went on. The sun went down
when they were near Gibeah in Benjamin.
15 (Jdg 19:18) So they turned aside there to go and spend the night
in Gibeah. They went in and sat in the city square,
but no one took them in to spend the night.
16 (Jdg 19:1; Ps 104:23) Just then, an old man came in at evening time from
his work in the field. The man was from the hill country of Ephraim
and lived as a resident foreigner in Gibeah,
but the townspeople were Benjamites.
17 He looked up and saw the traveler in the city square.
The old man said, "Where are you going, and where do you come from?"
18 (Jdg 18:31) He said to him, "We are traveling from Bethlehem in Judah
to a remote part of the hill country of Ephraim. I am from there.
I went to Bethlehem in Judah, and now I am going to the house of the Lord.
No one has taken me into his home.
19 Yet there is enough straw and fodder for our donkeys, with bread and wine
for me, your maidservant, and the young man who is with your servant.
We do not lack anything."
20 (Jdg 6:23) The old man said, "Do not worry. I will take care of whatever
you need. Just do not spend the night in the city square."
21 (Ge 18:4; 43:24) So he brought him into his house and gave food
to his donkeys. They washed their feet, ate, and drank.
22 (Ge 19:4-5; Dt 13:13) While they were enjoying themselves, the men
of the city, who were wicked men, surrounded the house and pounded
on the door. They said to the old man, the master of the house,
"Bring out the man who came to your house, so we can have relations with him."
23 (Ge 34:7; Jdg 20:6) The master of the house went out to them and said,
"No, my brothers, do not commit this evil act, not after this man has come
into my house. Do not commit this disgrace.
24 (Ge 19:8; Dt 21:14) Here are my virgin daughter and the man's concubine.
Let me bring them out to you. Ravish them and do to them what you please.
But do not commit this vile act against this man."
25 The men were unwilling to listen to him, so the man seized his concubine
and brought her out to them in the street. They knew her and abused her all
night until morning. As the dawn began to break, they let her go.
26 The woman came back at daybreak and fell down at the door of the man's
house where her master was, lying there until it was light.
27 Her master got up in the morning and opened the doors of the house.
He went out to go on his way, but there was the woman, his concubine,
fallen at the door of the house with her hands on the threshold.
28 (Jdg 20:5) He said to her, "Get up, let us be going," but there was
no answer. So the man put her on a donkey and went home.
29 (1Sa 11:7) When he got home, he took a knife and seized his concubine,
then cut her body into twelve pieces. Then he sent her throughout
all the territory of Israel.
30 (Jdg 20:7; Pr 13:10) Everyone who saw this said, "Nothing like this has
been done or seen since the day the children of Israel came out of the land
of Egypt until today. Consider it, take counsel, and speak up!"
Judges 19
[1] And it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Israel,
that there was a certain Levite sojourning on the side of mount Ephraim, who
took to him a concubine out of Bethlehemjudah.
[2] And his concubine played the whore against him, and went away from him
unto her father's house to Bethlehemjudah, and was there four whole months.
[3] And her husband arose, and went after her, to speak friendly unto her,
and to bring her again, having his servant with him, and a couple of asses:
and she brought him into her father's house: and when the father of the
damsel saw him, he rejoiced to meet him.
[4] And his father in law, the damsel's father, retained him; and he abode
with him three days: so they did eat and drink, and lodged there.
[5] And it came to pass on the fourth day, when they arose early in the
morning, that he rose up to depart: and the damsel's father said unto his
son in law, Comfort thine heart with a morsel of bread, and afterward go
your way.
[6] And they sat down, and did eat and drink both of them together: for the
damsel's father had said unto the man, Be content, I pray thee, and tarry
all night, and let thine heart be merry.
[7] And when the man rose up to depart, his father in law urged him:
therefore he lodged there again.
[8] And he arose early in the morning on the fifth day to depart: and the
damsel's father said, Comfort thine heart, I pray thee. And they tarried
until afternoon, and they did eat both of them.
[9] And when the man rose up to depart, he, and his concubine, and his
servant, his father in law, the damsel's father, said unto him, Behold, now
the day draweth toward evening, I pray you tarry all night: behold, the day
groweth to an end, lodge here, that thine heart may be merry; and to morrow
get you early on your way, that thou mayest go home.
[10] But the man would not tarry that night, but he rose up and departed,
and came over against Jebus, which is Jerusalem; and there were with him two
asses saddled, his concubine also was with him.
[11] And when they were by Jebus, the day was far spent; and the servant
said unto his master, Come, I pray thee, and let us turn in into this city
of the Jebusites, and lodge in it.
[12] And his master said unto him, We will not turn aside hither into the
city of a stranger, that is not of the children of Israel; we will pass over
to Gibeah.
[13] And he said unto his servant, Come, and let us draw near to one of
these places to lodge all night, in Gibeah, or in Ramah.
[14] And they passed on and went their way; and the sun went down upon them
when they were by Gibeah, which belongeth to Benjamin.
[15] And they turned aside thither, to go in and to lodge in Gibeah: and
when he went in, he sat him down in a street of the city: for there was no
man that took them into his house to lodging.
[16] And, behold, there came an old man from his work out of the field at
even, which was also of mount Ephraim; and he sojourned in Gibeah: but the
men of the place were Benjamites.
[17] And when he had lifted up his eyes, he saw a wayfaring man in the
street of the city: and the old man said, Whither goest thou? and whence
comest thou?
[18] And he said unto him, We are passing from Bethlehemjudah toward the
side of mount Ephraim; from thence am I: and I went to Bethlehemjudah, but I
am now going to the house of the LORD; and there is no man that receiveth me
to house.
[19] Yet there is both straw and provender for our asses; and there is bread
and wine also for me, and for thy handmaid, and for the young man which is
with thy servants: there is no want of any thing.
[20] And the old man said, Peace be with thee; howsoever let all thy wants
lie upon me; only lodge not in the street.
[21] So he brought him into his house, and gave provender unto the asses:
and they washed their feet, and did eat and drink.
[22] Now as they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the
city, certain sons of Belial, beset the house round about, and beat at the
door, and spake to the master of the house, the old man, saying, Bring forth
the man that came into thine house, that we may know him.
[23] And the man, the master of the house, went out unto them, Nay, my
brethren, nay, I pray you, do not so wickedly; seeing that this man is come
into mine house, do not this folly.
[24] Behold, here is my daughter a maiden, and his concubine; them I will
bring out now, and humble ye them, and do with them what seemeth good unto
you: but unto this man do not so vile a thing.
[25] But the men would not hearken to him: so the man took his concubine,
and brought her forth unto them; and they knew her, and abused her all the
night until the morning: and when the day began to spring, they let her go.
[26] Then came the woman in the dawning of the day, and fell down at the
door of the man's house where her lord was, till it was light.
[27] And her lord rose up in the morning, and opened the doors of the house,
and went out to go his way: and, behold, the woman his concubine was fallen
down at the door of the house, and her hands were upon the threshold.
[28] And he said unto her, Up, and let us be going. But none answered. Then
the man took her up upon an ass, and the man rose up, and gat him unto his
place.
[29] And when he was come into his house, he took a knife, and laid hold on
his concubine, and divided her, together with her bones, into twelve pieces,
and sent her into all the coasts of Israel.
[30] And it was so, that all that saw it said, There was no such deed done
nor seen from the day that the children of Israel came up out of the land of
Egypt unto this day: consider of it, take advice, and speak your minds.
JUDGES 20
The Children of Israel Punish the Benjamites
1 (Jdg 11:11; 21:5) All the children of Israel from Dan to Beersheba,
and also from the land of Gilead, went out and gathered together in
an assembly as one man before the Lord at Mizpah.
2 (Jdg 8:10; 20:15) The leaders of all the people from all the tribes
of Israel presented themselves in an assembly of the people of God,
who numbered four hundred thousand infantrymen bearing swords.
3(The Benjamites heard that the children of Israel had gone up to Mizpah.)
The children of Israel said, "Tell how this evil happened!"
4 So the Levite, the husband of the murdered woman, answered,
"My concubine and I came to Gibeah, in Benjamin, to spend the night.
5 (Jdg 19:22; 19:25-26) Then the leaders of Gibeah rose up against me.
At night they surrounded the house where I was staying.
They wanted to kill me; instead they ravished my concubine so that she died.
6 (Jdg 19:29; Jos 7:15) I seized my concubine, cut her into pieces,
and sent her throughout all the territory of Israel,
because they committed an infamous and disgraceful act in Israel.
7 (Jdg 19:30) Now, all of you are children of Israel.
Give your advice and counsel here."
8 All the people arose as one man and said, "Not a man among us will go
to his tent, and no one will turn aside to his house.
9 Now this is what we will do to Gibeah. We will go against it by lot.
10 We will take ten men out of every hundred, from every tribe of Israel,
a hundred from every thousand, and a thousand from every ten thousand,
to bring provisions for the troops. Then when they come to Gibeah
in Benjamin, they may repay them for all the evil
that they committed in Israel."
11 So all the men of Israel gathered at the city, united like one man.
12 (Dt 13:14) The tribes of Israel sent men throughout the whole tribe
of Benjamin, saying, "What is this evil that has been committed among you?
13 (Dt 13:13; 17:12) Now hand over the wicked men in Gibeah,
so that we can kill them and purge the evil from Israel."
Yet the Benjamites were not willing to listen
to their fellow children of Israel.
14 The Benjamites gathered from their cities at Gibeah in order to go
out and wage war against the children of Israel.
15 (Nu 26:41) That day, the Benjamites mustered twenty-six thousand armed men
from the cities and seven hundred specially chosen men from Gibeah.
16 (Jdg 3:15; 1Ch 12:2) Out of all these people there were seven hundred
specially chosen men who were left-handed, all of whom could sling
a stone at a hair and not miss.
17 The men of Israel, apart from Benjamin, gathered four hundred thousand
armed men who drew the sword; all of them were men of war.
18 (Nu 27:21; Jdg 20:23) The children of Israel arose, went up to Bethel,
and asked God, "Who should go up first to wage war against the Benjamites?"
The Lord said, "Judah first."
19T he children of Israel got up in the morning and camped against Gibeah.
20 The men of Israel went out for battle with Benjamin,
and the men of Israel lined up for battle at Gibeah.
21 (Jdg 20:25) Then the Benjamites came out from Gibeah
and struck twenty-two thousand Israelite men down to the ground.
22 The people, the men of Israel, rallied and lined up for battle again
in the place where they had lined up on the first day.
23 (Jdg 20:26-27) Then the children of Israel went up
and wept before the Lord until evening. They asked the Lord,
"Should we advance and fight our brother-tribesmen the Benjamites again?"
The Lord said, "Advance against them."
24 So the children of Israel advanced against the Benjamites for the second day.
25 (Jdg 20:21) And on the second day, the Benjamites went out from Gibeah
to meet them and again struck eighteen thousand men down to the ground,
every one of them armed.
26 (Jdg 20:23; 20:18) Then all the children of Israel, all the people, went up
to Bethel where they wept and sat before the Lord.
They fasted that day until evening and offered burnt offerings and peace
offerings before the Lord.
27 (Jos 18:1; Jdg 20:18) The children of Israel asked the Lord
(because the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days,
28 (Dt 18:5; Jos 24:33) and Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron,
stood before it then), "Should we go out again to wage war with our
brother-tribesmen the Benjamites, or should we not?"
The Lord said, "Go up, for tomorrow I will give them into your hands."
29 (Jos 8:4) So Israel set an ambushing force around Gibeah.
30 The children of Israel went up against the Benjamites on the third day
and lined up at Gibeah as before.
31 The Benjamites went out to engage the people and were drawn away
from the city. They began to strike the people down as before. On the
main roads that go up to Bethel and Gibeah and in the field,
they struck down about thirty children of Israel.
32 The Benjamites said, "They are struck down before us like
at the beginning." But the children of Israel said, "Let us retreat
and draw them away from the city toward the main roads."
33 So all the men of Israel rose up out of their place
and assumed their battle positions at Baal Tamar.
Then the men of Israel in ambush charged out of their places,
out of the meadows of Gibeah.
34 (Jos 8:14; Job 21:13) Ten thousand specially chosen men
from all of Israel came against Gibeah. The battle was fierce,
and the Benjamites did not know that disaster was upon them.
35 The Lord defeated Benjamin before Israel, and that day the children
of Israel struck down 25100 Benjamites, every one of them armed.
36 The Benjamites saw that they were defeated.
Now the men of Israel had withdrawn from Benjamin, because they relied
on the men in ambush whom they had set against Gibeah.
37 (Jos 8:19) So the ambushing force rushed on and attacked Gibeah.
They struck down the whole city with the edge of the sword.
38 The men of Israel had made an agreement with the ambushing force
that when they sent up a large amount of smoke from the city,
39 (Jdg 20:32) the children of Israel would turn around in battle.
When the Benjamites had begun to strike the children of Israel down,
about thirty men, they said, "Surely they are struck down before us like
at the beginning."
40 (Jos 8:20) Yet when the smoke began to rise up from the city in a column,
the Benjamites looked behind them and suddenly noticed the whole city
going up in smoke to the sky.
41 Then the men of Israel turned around, and the men of Benjamin
were horrified because they saw that disaster had come on them.
42 So they fled from the men of Israel toward the direction
of the wilderness, but the battle overtook them. Whoever came out
of the cities destroyed them in their midst.
43 They surrounded the Benjamites, chased them without rest,
and trampled them down near Gibeah toward the east.
44 Eighteen thousand men from Benjamin fell; all these were men of valor.
45 (Jos 15:32; Jdg 21:13) The rest turned and fled toward the wilderness
to Rimmon Rock, and they cut down five thousand men on the main roads.
They pursued them relentlessly until they reached Gidom
and killed two thousand of them.
46 So the Benjamites who fell that day numbered 25000, every one
of them armed, valorous men.
47 However, six hundred men turned and fled toward the wilderness,
to Rimmon Rock. They dwelled at Rimmon Rock for four months.
48 Yet the men of Israel turned back against the Benjamites
and struck them with the edge of the sword-city inhabitants, animals,
and everything that could be found. Indeed, they set on fire every city
that could be found.
Judges 20
[1] Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was
gathered together as one man, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, with the land of
Gilead, unto the LORD in Mizpeh.
[2] And the chief of all the people, even of all the tribes of Israel,
presented themselves in the assembly of the people of God, four hundred
thousand footmen that drew sword.
[3] (Now the children of Benjamin heard that the children of Israel were
gone up to Mizpeh.) Then said the children of Israel, Tell us, how was this
wickedness?
[4] And the Levite, the husband of the woman that was slain, answered and
said, I came into Gibeah that belongeth to Benjamin, I and my concubine, to
lodge.
[5] And the men of Gibeah rose against me, and beset the house round about
upon me by night, and thought to have slain me: and my concubine have they
forced, that she is dead.
[6] And I took my concubine, and cut her in pieces, and sent her throughout
all the country of the inheritance of Israel: for they have committed
lewdness and folly in Israel.
[7] Behold, ye are all children of Israel; give here your advice and
counsel.
[8] And all the people arose as one man, saying, We will not any of us go to
his tent, neither will we any of us turn into his house.
[9] But now this shall be the thing which we will do to Gibeah; we will go
up by lot against it;
[10] And we will take ten men of an hundred throughout all the tribes of
Israel, and an hundred of a thousand, and a thousand out of ten thousand, to
fetch victual for the people, that they may do, when they come to Gibeah of
Benjamin, according to all the folly that they have wrought in Israel.
[11] So all the men of Israel were gathered against the city, knit together
as one man.
[12] And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin,
saying, What wickedness is this that is done among you?
[13] Now therefore deliver us the men, the children of Belial, which are in
Gibeah, that we may put them to death, and put away evil from Israel. But
the children of Benjamin would not hearken to the voice of their brethren
the children of Israel:
[14] But the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together out of the
cities unto Gibeah, to go out to battle against the children of Israel.
[15] And the children of Benjamin were numbered at that time out of the
cities twenty and six thousand men that drew sword, beside the inhabitants
of Gibeah, which were numbered seven hundred chosen men.
[16] Among all this people there were seven hundred chosen men lefthanded;
every one could sling stones at an hair breadth, and not miss.
[17] And the men of Israel, beside Benjamin, were numbered four hundred
thousand men that drew sword: all these were men of war.
[18] 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.
[19] And the children of Israel rose up in the morning, and encamped against
Gibeah.
[20] And the men of Israel went out to battle against Benjamin; and the men
of Israel put themselves in array to fight against them at Gibeah.
[21] And the children of Benjamin came forth out of Gibeah, and destroyed
down to the ground of the Israelites that day twenty and two thousand men.
[22] And the people the men of Israel encouraged themselves, and set their
battle again in array in the place where they put themselves in array the
first day.
[23] (And the children of Israel went up and wept before the LORD until
even, and asked counsel of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up again to battle
against the children of Benjamin my brother? And the LORD said, Go up
against him.)
[24] And the children of Israel came near against the children of Benjamin
the second day.
[25] And Benjamin went forth against them out of Gibeah the second day, and
destroyed down to the ground of the children of Israel again eighteen
thousand men; all these drew the sword.
[26] Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came
unto the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the LORD, and fasted
that day until even, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before
the LORD.
[27] And the children of Israel inquired of the LORD, (for the ark of the
covenant of God was there in those days,
[28] And Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stood before it in
those days,) saying, Shall I yet again go out to battle against the children
of Benjamin my brother, or shall I cease? And the LORD said, Go up; for to
morrow I will deliver them into thine hand.
[29] And Israel set liers in wait round about Gibeah.
[30] And the children of Israel went up against the children of Benjamin on
the third day, and put themselves in array against Gibeah, as at other
times.
[31] And the children of Benjamin went out against the people, and were
drawn away from the city; and they began to smite of the people, and kill,
as at other times, in the highways, of which one goeth up to the house of
God, and the other to Gibeah in the field, about thirty men of Israel.
[32] And the children of Benjamin said, They are smitten down before us, as
at the first. But the children of Israel said, Let us flee, and draw them
from the city unto the highways.
[33] And all the men of Israel rose up out of their place, and put
themselves in array at Baal-tamar: and the liers in wait of Israel came
forth out of their places, even out of the meadows of Gibeah.
[34] And there came against Gibeah ten thousand chosen men out of all
Israel, and the battle was sore: but they knew not that evil was near them.
[35] And the LORD smote Benjamin before Israel: and the children of Israel
destroyed of the Benjamites that day twenty and five thousand and an hundred
men: all these drew the sword.
[36] So the children of Benjamin saw that they were smitten: for the men of
Israel gave place to the Benjamites, because they trusted unto the liers in
wait which they had set beside Gibeah.
[37] And the liers in wait hasted, and rushed upon Gibeah; and the liers in
wait drew themselves along, and smote all the city with the edge of the
sword.
[38] Now there was an appointed sign between the men of Israel and the liers
in wait, that they should make a great flame with smoke rise up out of the
city.
[39] And when the men of Israel retired in the battle, Benjamin began to
smite and kill of the men of Israel about thirty persons: for they said,
Surely they are smitten down before us, as in the first battle.
[40] But when the flame began to arise up out of the city with a pillar of
smoke, the Benjamites looked behind them, and, behold, the flame of the city
ascended up to heaven.
[41] And when the men of Israel turned again, the men of Benjamin were
amazed: for they saw that evil was come upon them.
[42] Therefore they turned their backs before the men of Israel unto the way
of the wilderness; but the battle overtook them; and them which came out of
the cities they destroyed in the midst of them.
[43] Thus they inclosed the Benjamites round about, and chased them, and
trode them down with ease over against Gibeah toward the sunrising.
[44] And there fell of Benjamin eighteen thousand men; all these were men of
valour.
[45] And they turned and fled toward the wilderness unto the rock of Rimmon:
and they gleaned of them in the highways five thousand men; and pursued hard
after them unto Gidom, and slew two thousand men of them.
[46] So that all which fell that day of Benjamin were twenty and five
thousand men that drew the sword; all these were men of valour.
[47] But six hundred men turned and fled to the wilderness unto the rock
Rimmon, and abode in the rock Rimmon four months.
[48] And the men of Israel turned again upon the children of Benjamin, and
smote them with the edge of the sword, as well the men of every city, as the
beast, and all that came to hand: also they set on fire all the cities that
they came to.
JUDGES 21
Wives for the Benjamites
1 (Jdg 20:1; 21:18) In Mizpah the men of Israel had taken an oath:
"No one among us will give his daughter to a Benjamite as his wife."
2 (Jdg 20:26; 20:18) So the people came to Bethel and sat there before
God until evening. They raised their voices and wept, sobbing loudly.
3 They said, "Why, Lord God of Israel, has this happened in Israel,
that today a tribe is missing from Israel?"
4 (2Sa 24:25) In the morning the people got up early and built an altar
there. They offered burnt offerings and peace offerings.
5 (Jdg 5:23) The children of Israel said, "Who from all the tribes of Israel
did not go up with the assembly to the Lord?" For they vowed a solemn
oath regarding whoever did not go up to the Lord at Mizpah stating,
"He must be killed."
6 (Jdg 21:15) The children of Israel lamented for Benjamin their brother,
and said, "One tribe is cut off from Israel today.
7 (Jdg 21:1) What can we do to find wives for those who are left?
For we swore by the Lord not to give them our daughters as wives."
8 (1Sa 31:11-13) So they said, "Is there anyone from among the tribes
of Israel who did not go up to the Lord at Mizpah?" Then they learned
that no one from the camp of Jabesh Gilead had come to the assembly.
9 When the people were counted, indeed, there was not a man there
from among the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead.
10 (Jdg 5:23; 21:5) So the assembly sent twelve thousand valorous men there
and commanded them, "Go and strike down the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead
with the edge of the sword, including women and children.
11 (Nu 31:17-18) This is what you will do: You will kill every man
and every woman who has slept with a man."
12 (Jos 18:1) So among the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead they found
400 virgins who had never slept with a man, and they brought them
to the camp at Shiloh in the land of Canaan.
13 (Dt 20:10; Jdg 20:47) Then the whole assembly sent someone to speak
to the Benjamites who were at Rimmon Rock, and they declared peace.
14 So the Benjamites returned at that time, and they gave to them the women
who were still alive from among the women of Jabesh Gilead.
Yet they did not find enough for them.
15 (Jdg 21:6) The people felt sorry for Benjamin, for the Lord had made a gap
among the tribes of Israel.
16 The elders of the assembly said, "What can we do to find wives for those
who are left? The Benjamite women were destroyed."
17 They said, "There must be an inheritance for the remnant of Benjamin,
so that a tribe will not be wiped out from Israel.
18 (Jdg 21:1) Yet we cannot give them our daughters for wives,
for the children of Israel swore, 'Cursed be anyone who gives
a wife to Benjamin.' "
19 They said, "Wait! There is an annual festival of the Lord in Shiloh,
which is north of Bethel, east of the main road that goes up from Bethel
to Shechem, and south of Lebonah."
20 So they commanded the Benjamites, "Go and hide in the vineyards.
21 (Ex 15:20; Jdg 11:34) Watch, and then when the daughters of Shiloh
come out to dance in the dances, come out from the vineyards
and have every man grab a wife for himself from among
the daughters of Shiloh. Then go to the land of Benjamin.
22 (Jdg 21:1; 21:18) When their fathers or their brothers come to us
to complain, we will say to them, 'Be favorable to them for our sakes,
because we did not take for each man a wife in the battle;
for you have not given women to them at the time,
thereby making yourselves guilty.' "
23 (Jdg 20:48) So the Benjamites did this. They carried away wives
for each man from among the dancers that they caught. Then they
returned to their inheritance, rebuilt the cities, and lived in them.
24 At that time, the children of Israel departed from there each man
to his tribe and to his family. They went out from
there to their own inheritance.
25 (Jdg 17:6; 18:1) In those days there was no king in Israel;
everyone did what was right in his own eyes.
Judges 21
[1] Now the men of Israel had sworn in Mizpeh, saying, There shall not any
of us give his daughter unto Benjamin to wife.
[2] And the people came to the house of God, and abode there till even
before God, and lifted up their voices, and wept sore;
[3] 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?
[4] 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.
[5] 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.
[6] And the children of Israel repented them for Benjamin their brother, and
said, There is one tribe cut off from Israel this day.
[7] 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?
[8] 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
Jabesh-gilead to the assembly.
[9] For the people were numbered, and, behold, there were none of the
inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead there.
[10] And the congregation sent thither twelve thousand men of the
valiantest, and commanded them, saying, Go and smite the inhabitants of
Jabesh-gilead with the edge of the sword, with the women and the children.
[11] And this is the thing that ye shall do, Ye shall utterly destroy every
male, and every woman that hath lain by man.
[12] And they found among the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead 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.
[13] And the whole congregation sent some to speak to the children of
Benjamin that were in the rock Rimmon, and to call peaceably unto them.
[14] And Benjamin came again at that time; and they gave them wives which
they had saved alive of the women of Jabesh-gilead: and yet so they sufficed
them not.
[15] And the people repented them for Benjamin, because that the LORD had
made a breach in the tribes of Israel.
[16] Then the elders of the congregation said, How shall we do for wives for
them that remain, seeing the women are destroyed out of Benjamin?
[17] And they said, There must be an inheritance for them that be escaped of
Benjamin, that a tribe be not destroyed out of Israel.
[18] Howbeit we may not give them wives of our daughters: for the children
of Israel have sworn, saying, Cursed be he that giveth a wife to Benjamin.
[19] Then they said, Behold, there is a feast of the LORD in Shiloh yearly
in a place which is on the north side of Bethel, on the east side of the
highway that goeth up from Bethel to Shechem, and on the south of Lebonah.
[20] Therefore they commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, Go and lie
in wait in the vineyards;
[21] And see, and, behold, if the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in
dances, then come ye out of the vineyards, and catch you every man his wife
of the daughters of Shiloh, and go to the land of Benjamin.
[22] And it shall be, when their fathers or their brethren come unto us to
complain, that we will say unto them, Be favourable unto them for our sakes:
because we reserved not to each man his wife in the war: for ye did not give
unto them at this time, that ye should be guilty.
[23] And the children of Benjamin did so, and took them wives, according to
their number, of them that danced, whom they caught: and they went and
returned unto their inheritance, and repaired the cities, and dwelt in them.
[24] And the children of Israel departed thence at that time, every man to
his tribe and to his family, and they went out from thence every man to his
inheritance.
[25] In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was
right in his own eyes.
2) Our Daily Bread for 5 April 2024 entitled
God's Presence
Ecclesiastes 3:1-11
A Time for Everything
1 (Ecc 3:17) To everything there is a season,
a time for every purpose under heaven:
2 (Heb 9:27; Job 14:5) a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to uproot what is planted;
3 (1Sa 2:6; Hos 6:1-2) a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 (Ex 15:20; Ro 12:15) a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 (2Ki 3:25; Joel 2:16) a time to cast away stones,
and a time to gather stones;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 a time to gain, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 (Am 5:13; Ge 37:29) a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 (Lk 14:26) a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time of war, and a time of peace.
The God-Given Task
9 (Ecc 1:3; 2:11) What benefit does the worker have in his toil?
10 (Ge 3:19; Ecc 2:26) I have seen the task that God has given to sons of men
to be concerned with.
11 (Ecc 8:17; Ro 11:33) He has made everything beautiful in its appropriate
time. He has also put obscurity in their hearts Or timelessness,
or perpetuity. so that no one comes to know the work that God has done
from the beginning to the end.
Ecclesiastes 3
1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose
under the heaven:
2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck
up that which is planted;
3 a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down,
and a time to build up;
4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to
embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 a time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence,
and a time to speak;
8 a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
9 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?
10 I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men
to be exercised in it.
11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set
the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that
God maketh from the beginning to the end.
Monique was struggling. She had friends who were believers in Jesus,
and she respected how they handled life's struggles. She was even a bit
jealous of them. But Monique didn't think she could live the way they did;
she thought having faith in Christ was about following rules. Finally, a
fellow college student helped her see that God wasn't out to spoil her life;
instead, He wanted the best for her amidst her ups and downs. Once she
understood this, Monique was ready to trust Jesus as her Saviour
and embrace the magnificent truth about God's love for her.
King Solomon could have given Monique similar advice. He acknowledged
that this world does have its sorrows. Indeed, "To every thing there
is a season" (Ecclesiastes 3:1)-"a time to mourn, and a time to dance" (v. 4).
But there's more. God "has also set eternity in the human heart" (v. 11).
An eternity meant to be lived in His presence.
Monique gained life "to the full," as Jesus said (John 10:10), when she
trusted Him. But she gained so much more! Through faith, the
"eternity in [her] heart" (Ecclesiastes 3:11) became the promise of a
future when life's struggles will be forgotten (Isaiah 65:17)
and God's glorious presence will be an eternal reality.
By: Dave Branon
Reflect & Pray
How have you experienced the fulfilling life Jesus offers?
What are some things about your life in Him that you’re thankful for?
Dear Jesus, Solomon was right.
Life is a rollercoaster. Thank You for making this life
valuable and worth the effort. And thank You for the
eternal joys that await.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 5 Rejoice in Grace - Day 6 God Works!
Phil 2:12-13
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence,
but so much more in my absence, work out your own salvation
with fear and trembling.
13 For God is the One working in you, both to will and to do His good pleasure.
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence
only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation
with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will
and to do of his good pleasure.
"I just can't do it!" Marlys, a career woman in her 30s, was struggling to fit
her new Christian principles into the business world. Accustomed to the
cutthroat tactics of the corporate hierarchy, she has a hard time knowing
Jesus' examples of grace and mercy applied.
Marlys was right. She couldn't do it. In our own strength, none of us is able
to "live the Christian life." Someone has said, " The Christian life isn't
difficult -- it's impossible!" Only the power of the Holy Spirit is
effective to work the needed changes in our priorities and behaviour;
only God can accomplish what he calls us to do.
In Phillippians 2:12, Paul says "work it out." If we stop there,
we are likely to throw up our hands in despair.
But the good news appears in verse 13:
" For God is the One working in you, both to will and to do His good pleasure."
WE are not left on our own to figure out how to live the Christian life.
God gives us both the will and the ability to obey him, to live in a way
that will please him.
The key to a God-pleasing life is not performance, but obedience. God does not
expect us to "do great things" for him, to deserve his love and grace.
Our part in the process of salvation is to respond in obedience to the Lord,
to say "yes" to what he asks of us. We cannot change ourselves;
we cannot even know ourselves apart from the Spirit's insight. But
as we cooperate with him, as we agree to be obedient, the Spirit changes us
within, and those changes are "worked out" into our lives.
Application
a) Have I ever tried to "Live the Christian life" on my own strength?
What was the result?
b) In what practical ways is Paul's declaration that "God works in me"
good new in my life?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Malachi 3:10-12
10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in
My house, and test Me now in this, says the Lord of Hosts, if I will not
open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing,
that there will not be room enough to receive it.
11 I will rebuke the devourer
for your sakes, so that it will not destroy the fruit of your ground,
and the vines in your field will not fail to bear fruit,
says the Lord of Hosts.
12 Then all the nations will call you blessed, for you will be
a delightful land, says the Lord of Hosts.
10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in
mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not
open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall
not be room enough to receive it.
11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy
the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit
before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.
12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be
a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are Worried Over Money
Matt 6:19-21
Treasures in Heaven
Lk 12:33-34
19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth
and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.
20 But store up
for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroy
and where thieves do not break in nor steal,
21 for where your treasure is,
there will your heart be also.
19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth
and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth
nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2022 edition?)
Manitoba
Quick facts on Muslims in Manitoba
Manitoba 2015 population 1 282 000
est Muslim Population 21 349
CNMM Networks: Winnipeg
The Muslim population of Manitoba, understandably centred in Winnipeg, is very
diverse and represents some 48 different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
Conservative estimates put their number at 21000 , with some suggesting
it might be twice that size.
Some outreach among Muslims has started, yet in comparison to the size
of this community, there is the need and opportunity for far more engagement.
Continued influx of new immigrants and refugees continues to see the growth
of this Muslim centre in Manitoba.
We rejoice in the Arabic fellowship meeting there and the energetic workers
among Muslims in Winnipeg.
Let us intercede in unity for:
- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population
- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim
communities around them, as well as training new workers
- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim
background believers and for effectiveness in outreach
- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground
in the face of opposition to her new faith.
- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged
with great support
Adding further
Pray for the Riau Malay
Matthew 11:28-30
28 (Jn 7:37; 6:37) "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened,
and I will give you rest.
29 (Jer 6:16; Jn 13:15) Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me.
For I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
[Jer 6:16. ]
30 (1Jn 5:3) For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”
[28] Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give
you rest.
[29] Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in
heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
[30] For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
"Have you heard of Lailat al Qadr, or the Night of Power?" Laman asked
a gospel worker as they shared coffee together. Laman is one of 2.2 million
Riau Malay Muslims in Indonesia.
"Lailat al Qadr is the most special night of the year. The barrier separating
heaven and earth is at its thinnest. One fortunate individual’s prayer will
be granted, completely, no questions asked! Imagine that!"
"Why this night?" asked the gospel worker.
"Good question. It marks the night when the Qur'an
was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad."
"So what prayers will you be praying through the night Laman?"
Laman's eyes clouded as he thought of his recently deceased parents.
The years during the COVID pandemic had been difficult and the communal meals
he held to pray for them had been more modest than he had wanted. His heart
felt heavy as he considered that the fate of his parents depended
on the prayers of remaining family members.
He sighed, "My deepest desire is for my mother and father to be accepted
by Allah. May all their sins be forgiven."
How to Pray
As Riau Malay seek Allah's favour during the Night of Power,
pray their eyes will be opened to see that God accepts all
who come to Him through Jesus Christ.
Pray that Riau Malay Muslims will know that they can give their economic
and family burdens to Jesus, and he will give them rest.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to stir Christians in Riau province
to boldly share their faith with Riau Malay Muslims.
See also Pray for Egyptians
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
5th Day of the Month
a) Pray for Canada's First Nation peoples,
that the Lord will draw them to Himself
(PS 145:13-18
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and Your dominion endures throughout all generations.
14 The Lord upholds all who fall,
and raises up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all wait upon You,
and You give them their food in due season.
16 You open Your hand
and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
17 The Lord is righteous in all His ways
and loving in all His works.
18 The Lord is near to all those who call upon Him,
to all who call upon Him in truth.
)
Mem
13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
And thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.
Samek
14 The LORD upholdeth all that fall,
And raiseth up all those that be bowed down.
Ain
15 The eyes of all wait upon thee;
And thou givest them their meat in due season.
Pe
16 Thou openest thine hand,
And satisfiest the desire of every living thing.
Zade
17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways,
And holy in all his works.
Qoph
18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him,
To all that call upon him in truth.
b) Pray for the Lord to search your life ,
reveal anything offensive and cleanse you from unrighteousness
( ps 139:24 " and see if there is any rebellious way in me,
and lead me in the ancient way. "
24 And see if there be any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.
1: John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us
our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. "
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray not to be in conflict .
Pray to the Lord: "Dear Jesus, Solomon was right.
Life is a rollercoaster. Thank You for making this life
valuable and worth the effort. And thank You for the
eternal joys that await."
Pray to the Lord and pray to live Life under the Lord.
Pray to the Lord and pray to be a generous giver.
Pray to the Lord and pray to lay treasure in Heaven.
Agree in prayer with us for:
- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population
- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim
communities around them, as well as training new workers
- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim
background believers and for effectiveness in outreach
- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground
in the face of opposition to her new faith.
- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged
with great support
How to Pray
As Riau Malay seek Allah's favour during the Night of Power,
pray their eyes will be opened to see that God accepts all
who come to Him through Jesus Christ.
Pray that Riau Malay Muslims will know that they can give their economic
and family burdens to Jesus, and he will give them rest.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to stir Christians in Riau province
to boldly share their faith with Riau Malay Muslims.
Pray for Canada's First Nation peoples,
that the Lord will draw them to Himself
Pray for the Lord to search your life ,
reveal anything offensive and cleanse you from unrighteousness
Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness
Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God