Judges 20:23 - The children of Israel went up and wept before Yahweh until evening; and they asked of Yahweh, saying, “Shall I again draw near to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother?” Yahweh said, “Go up against him.”
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What does "Judges 20:23" mean?
This verse from Judges 20:23 describes a pivotal moment of reflection and seeking guidance after a significant loss in battle. Let's break down the meaning:
"The children of Israel went up and wept before Yahweh until evening;" This shows the Israelites' deep sorrow and distress. They are mourning their losses in the previous battles against the tribe of Benjamin (Judges 20:18-21). "Going up" likely refers to going to a designated place of worship or sanctuary. Weeping indicates profound grief and a recognition of their need for divine help. The extended period, "until evening," emphasizes the intensity and duration of their lament.
"and they asked of Yahweh, saying, 'Shall I again draw near to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother?'" This is the Israelites' crucial question. They are torn. They recognize the Benjamites as "brother," meaning part of the same covenant community (Israel). They are hesitant to continue fighting them, perhaps realizing the devastating cost and moral implications of civil war. They seek Yahweh's direction about whether to continue the conflict. The use of "draw near" indicates that they may be trying to determine if it is in line with God to fight them and that they aren't seeking revenge.
"Yahweh said, 'Go up against him.'" This is Yahweh's response. He instructs them to continue the war against the Benjamites. This might seem harsh, but remember that the Benjamites had refused to deliver the perpetrators of a heinous crime in Gibeah to justice (Judges 19). Their defiance threatened the moral and legal fabric of Israelite society. Yahweh's command underscores the importance of upholding justice, even when it means conflict with those considered kin.
In summary, the verse highlights:
The Israelites' grief and repentance: They recognize their dependence on God and their sorrow over the conflict.
The moral dilemma of civil war: They acknowledge the familial relationship with the Benjamites and question the righteousness of continued fighting.
Yahweh's unwavering commitment to justice: Despite the tragedy of civil war, God commands them to pursue justice, even against their "brother."
The verse shows that the Israelites did not just blindly seek vengeance. They sought God's guidance in a difficult and emotionally charged situation. It underscores the tension between justice and mercy, and the painful reality that sometimes, doing what is right requires difficult and costly actions. This sets the stage for the remainder of the narrative in Judges 20 and 21, which details the continuation of the war and its aftermath.
Judges 20:23 - The children of Israel went up and wept before Yahweh until evening; and they asked of Yahweh, saying, “Shall I again draw near to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother?” Yahweh said, “Go up against him.”
What does "Judges 20:23" mean?
This verse from Judges 20:23 describes a pivotal moment of reflection and seeking guidance after a significant loss in battle. Let's break down the meaning:
"The children of Israel went up and wept before Yahweh until evening;" This shows the Israelites' deep sorrow and distress. They are mourning their losses in the previous battles against the tribe of Benjamin (Judges 20:18-21). "Going up" likely refers to going to a designated place of worship or sanctuary. Weeping indicates profound grief and a recognition of their need for divine help. The extended period, "until evening," emphasizes the intensity and duration of their lament.
"and they asked of Yahweh, saying, 'Shall I again draw near to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother?'" This is the Israelites' crucial question. They are torn. They recognize the Benjamites as "brother," meaning part of the same covenant community (Israel). They are hesitant to continue fighting them, perhaps realizing the devastating cost and moral implications of civil war. They seek Yahweh's direction about whether to continue the conflict. The use of "draw near" indicates that they may be trying to determine if it is in line with God to fight them and that they aren't seeking revenge.
"Yahweh said, 'Go up against him.'" This is Yahweh's response. He instructs them to continue the war against the Benjamites. This might seem harsh, but remember that the Benjamites had refused to deliver the perpetrators of a heinous crime in Gibeah to justice (Judges 19). Their defiance threatened the moral and legal fabric of Israelite society. Yahweh's command underscores the importance of upholding justice, even when it means conflict with those considered kin.
In summary, the verse highlights:
The Israelites' grief and repentance: They recognize their dependence on God and their sorrow over the conflict.
The moral dilemma of civil war: They acknowledge the familial relationship with the Benjamites and question the righteousness of continued fighting.
Yahweh's unwavering commitment to justice: Despite the tragedy of civil war, God commands them to pursue justice, even against their "brother."
The verse shows that the Israelites did not just blindly seek vengeance. They sought God's guidance in a difficult and emotionally charged situation. It underscores the tension between justice and mercy, and the painful reality that sometimes, doing what is right requires difficult and costly actions. This sets the stage for the remainder of the narrative in Judges 20 and 21, which details the continuation of the war and its aftermath.