Sodom’s Resurrection: Judges 19-21

Introduction: Sodom and Gomorrah

· FCF: What happens when God’s people have no king?

· Recap: Without a king God’s people worship like pagans.

· Main Proposition: Without a king God’s people behave like pagans.

Read Judges 19:22-30

Body 1: Without a king God’s people behave like pagans. This is seen in their depravity: 19

· Summary:

o The beginning of the story: 1-2

o The hospitality of Bethlehem: 3-9

o The bypassing of Jebus: 10-13

o The compassion of the sojourner: 16-21

o The resurrection of Sodom: 22-26

§ Attack of the homosexuals, 22

§ Appeal of the host, 23-24

§ Action of the Levite, 25a

§ Abuse of the concubine, 25b-26

o The indifference of the Levite: 27-28

o The uniqueness of the offense: 29-30

· Explanation:

o Their depravity is seen throughout this passage, but is most pronounce in the behavior of the Benjaminites of Gibeah: 22-26

· Application: When we usurp Christ by claiming to be king in our own lives, it is no surprise that we will not only worship like pagans, but also behave like them.

· Example:

o Cuss on them Mondays and pray on them Sundays

Body 2: Without a king God’s people behave like pagans. This is seen in Yahweh’s judgement: 20

· Summary:

o The unity of Israel: 1-11

§ Assembly, 1-2

§ Report, 3-7

§ Decision, 8-11

o The hostility of Benjamin: 12-17

§ Refusal of extradition, 12-13

§ Preparation for battle, 14-17

o The narrative of battle: 18-48

§ Victories for Benjamin:18-28

· Direction from Yahweh, 18

· Defeat in battle, 19-22

· Weeping before Yahweh, 23a

· Direction from Yahweh, 23b

· Defeat in battle, 24-25

· Weeping before Yahweh, 26

· Direction and assurance from Yahweh, 27-28

§ Victory for Israel: 29-48

· General report, 29-36a

· Detailed report, 36b-48

o Explanation:

§ Israel seeks Yahweh’s guidance and get it three times, but it is on the last time that he also gives them assurance of victory (27-28).

o Illustration: King Saul

o Application: God left Benjamin to itself and they were all but destroyed. It is still possible today that when a Christian, seeking to rule their own life, forsakes God that He will leave them to their foolish desires. The same goes for a church. Those who persist in sin unrepentantly will lack spiritual intimacy with God and fellow Christians. They will lack spiritual power to overcome sin or even to proclaim the gospel to the nonbeliever.

Body 3: Without a king God’s people behave like pagans. This is seen in Yahweh’s grace: 21

· Summary:

o Dilemma from oath: 1-7

§ Possibility for solution: 8-9

· Command to assailants: 10-11

o Provision of women (insufficient): 12-14

§ Response of people: 15

o Dilemma from oath:16-18

§ Possibility for solution: 19

· Command to assailants: 20-22

o Provision of women (sufficient): 23

§ Response of people: 24

· Explanation: Though some of these antics seem bizarre or even morally backwards to readers like us we ought to consider that Yahweh’s grace is still shown to his people. Unlike Sodom that was totally destroyed, Benjamin who defended New Sodom were not totally destroyed. Instead they are still provided with the means to exist and even come to a position of prominence in Israel (king Saul). God’s grace works in spite of stupidity and even sin of his people. Indeed, should surprise us that Yahweh allowed Israel to still exist after all of its sinful acts and false worship, but that is the miracle of mercy and grace. God withholds what we deserve and grants what we do not deserve

· Application: When you are a Christian you may celebrate and depend on the fact that God’s grace is sufficient for you and your sins. Furthermore, the same is true of our church here. In every church there are sins that take place. We sin against each other and in doing so sin against God. Let us run to our God and seek his forgiveness and guidance. He is sure to give it to those who repent.

Conclusion:

Israel had no king and every individual did what was right in his own eyes. They worshiped false gods and they behaved in manners that are not worthy of Yahweh. The book of judges points to the necessity of a godly king who does not allow false worship or sinful behavior. A king that gives godly guidance to who His people. We in the church know that the role is ultimately filled by Jesus the incarnate Son of God. May we submit to Him and live in accord with His Word. We might also remember that God provides his church with overseers and pastors to shed the light of the Word on all aspects of our lives and draw us into a deeper love of the God of the Bible. Let us be a church that glories in obedience and repents of disobedience. Let us love true doctrine and hate false doctrine. Let us always cleave to the Christ as He is our Righteousness and our king.