Judges 20: 26-36

The balance of the chapter is how the Israelites defeated the Benjamites. They drew the warriors away from the the city and the Israelites then started a small fire to deceive the warriors thinking their homes were being destroyed. Per the commentary:

The writer now concentrates on the people that destroyed Gibeah. They got into the town easily. The Israelites’ main army had pretended to run away. The men from Benjamin’s tribe rushed out from the city. They left it so that it had no protection. The smaller army that had been hiding went into the city. Then they started a fire there. This was a signal for the main army. When the main army saw the smoke, it would turn round. And it would fight against Benjamin’s men. The people that had been protecting the town chased after the Israelites’ main army. Some Israelites from the smaller army were hiding near Geba. These men attacked Gibeah. Benjamin’s men that ran away went east towards the desert. The Israelites started a fire in the town. They tried to stop Benjamin’s men so that these would not run away. They killed 18 000 men from Benjamin’s tribe. Those that were still alive ran to the rock called Rimmon. This was north-east from Geba. The Israelites killed 7000 more men on the way. 600 men escaped to Rimmon. Then the armies killed many other men from Benjamin’s tribe. They destroyed their towns and villages too. In Deuteronomy 13:12-18, God had given a command to the Israelites. In towns whose people had praised other gods, they should burn all the people, animals and possessions. Perhaps the Israelites now thought that the men from Benjamin’s tribe had done an even worse crime than that.

 

All in all a decent day yet still waiting for the rest of my tax stuff to come so I can finish it off. I am so glad that this the last year that I have to wait for this nonsense. Had a good convo with Daniel and glad for him. Prayers continue for him as he treks for the next 6 weeks to St. Louis. Looking forward to going home later and then the weekend.

 

Praise for today: The Lord helps them and delivers them, he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him. Psalm 37: 40

Judges 20: 26-36

The defeats that the other tribes had felt against the Benjamites was devastating and left them reeling and wondering. They truly started to doubt their intentions and went to the only place they could go - before the Lord via the Ark. They started to get serious with God and gave Him the respect that He should have had from the outset. They sacrificed and fasted and then God affirmed their victory. The plan was to get the Benjamites out their comfort zone and then lured them to places were they tasted defeat  at the hands of the Israelites. The Benjamites then realized that the Lord was the cause of their defeat.

Not a bad day but it was hectic. A typical 5 pounds in a one pound bag type of day. Still got a lot done and there is more to come before my time off. So far everyone has been supportive and that has been a blessing. I still am at peace. Very much enjoying the current but temporary weather pattern still a foretaste of warmer weather and NO SNOW!!!.  Praying for GG as he moves to round 2 - St. Louis.

Praise for today: Praise the Lord; all you nations; extol Him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord. Psalm 117

Judges 20: 12-24

The tribes of Israel gathered as one to demand justice and to "remove the evil" from among the land and tribe of Benjamin. What was surprising was that they refused to give up the offenders and were willing to defend them with their whole force. This was perhaps the first civil war that was fought and recorded in history. They were from the hill country and incorporated lefties that were skilled in the art of rock throwing which kept the opponents off guard. The Benjamites had 26,000 men and the 700 lefties. They opposed an army of the 400,000. The first tribe chosen to go fight from the 11 were Judah's and sustained heavy losses. They had their doubts about continuing but they were encouraged by the Lord who told them to fight and still they sustained even further losses.These losses exceeded the size of the Benjamite army.

All in all a decent day at work. Much to do and got done and prepared for the future. Still waiting on the K-1 to finish off my taxes but this is the last year that I have to wait - yahoo! Excellent weather yesterday and today with the Metskis still impressing the naysayers. Glad that David had a great dinner yesterday for his birthday. Now I am in the market for a point and click camera since my old one has died.

Praise for today: The Lord will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Psalm 121: 7-8

Judges 20: 1-11

The message has been sent to the whole country and many respond. They came to meet at Mizpah, where the Lord was. All 12 tribes were represented and came bearing swords. They wanted an account and the Levite addressed them and recounted the events and what had led up to this gathering. They wanted this resolved and taken care of so they designated 10% of the force (400,000) to be sent to Gibeah to take them down for their allowance of the crime. This must have been done early in the nation's history where the tribes were still united.

Decent weekend with the Mets game and dinner at the Wongs on Saturday. The traffic was horrendous around lower Manhattan both coming and going but overall great day and the weather was great as well. Good day at church as well. Caught up on my shows and enjoying this stretch of weather. Wishing Dave a wonderful birthday and prayers for GG as he embarks on St. Louis for more training.

Praise for today: Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him. Psalm 127: 3

Judges 19: 22-30

The rest of the chapter shows the depravity of the times and the people. The people were enjoying themselves in the company of the old man. Meanwhile, some men gathered around the home and wanted the old man for homosexual activities. The host refused and offered his daughter who was  a virgin instead. They refused and continued to demand for him despite the offering of the daughter and the concubine. The Levite cared only for himself and threw the concubine out the door to be the sacrifice for the savages. What ensued was the raving of the poor girl and was so violent that she ultimately died from the attack. There was an apparent disregard for her health and her welfare since the Bible doesn't record any remorse or concern for the girl. She died while en route to their next stop - home. The Levite sent a message to the 12 tribes by cutting her up into 12 pieces and sending the pieces with a note explaining what had happened. This was the most severe message and action taken since they had left Egypt. It was a way to test the morals of this disjointed nation.

Overall, a good few days away with Irene and David as we spurred the economy to a small degree. Got back at noon yesterday and saw GI Joe and made dinner in the slo-cooker (ribs and chicken). That should last  few meals. Keeping GG in my prayers both for his physical wellbeing and his training as well. Looking forward to coming home for the weekend and seeing the Mets tomorrow with KO and David.

Praise for today: Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love. Like your name, O God, your praise reaches to the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with righteousness. Psalm 48: 9-10.

Judges 19: 16-22

Finally an old man invited the man and his concubine into his home after he found them in the town square. The old man came from the same town that the Levite came from so they had a connection. The Levite was forthright with his intentions to the man which included going into the "house of the Lord" and give thanks. Perhaps he wanted to express his gratitude to the Lord for the renewed relationship between himself and his concubine. Each wanted to show his generosity toward the other as a sign of fellowship but each refused the other's offering. All seemed tranquil and serene.

Pretty decent day at work with various stuff getting done. Made dinner reservations at the Borgata for the fam and got my ironing done as well. Looking forward to getting away and with free rooms, it makes it better. Prayers for GG as he continues his training - a little older, wiser and under the Lord's wing. Baseball started yesterday for me and it was  great start with the Metskis getting the W.

Praise for today: For you make me glad by your deeds O Lord; I sing for joy at the works of your hands. How great are your works, O Lord, how profound your thoughts! Psalm 92: 4-5

Judges 19: 11-16

The story progresses with the man, woman and the servant continuing their journey as they leave the safety and the hospitality of the woman's father. They were adamant that they wanted to go and they did. After a while they were looking for a place to spend the night. The man's servant wanted to go to the town of Jebus where the Jebusites lived. The man refused since they were foreigners and he felt that their own people is where they should stay the night. So they pushed on to Gibeah or Ramah. They arrived at Gibeah where the Benjamites settled. What they found was a town that wouldn't have anyone to greet them which was a ominous sign. He came to this area because his feeling was that he could trust his own kind but this was soon to have disastrous results.

Overall a decent weekend as we celebrated GF and Easter (albeit without GG who had to fly out yesterday morning). Sandwiched in between, we had a family dinner with my niece who celebrated a new job and passing her actuarial exams. Served at a Father's Heart soup kitchen and had an elders' meeting also. Looking forward to getting the rest of the tax returns done and heading to the Mets game this Saturday. Leaving tomorrow night for a few nights at the Borgata with Irene and David. Thankful that Ping fared well during his surgery and will progress towards rectifying his issues. Heading to gym after last week's tumble and hopefully getting back into it.

Praise for today: Show us your unfailing love and grant us your salvation. Psalm 85: 7