ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

 Monite Novema 8, 2021

they inquired of the Lord

pea nau huhū ki he ‘Eiki

Fakamaau 20 (Judges 20)

(v. 23) (Pea ‘alu hake ‘a ha‘a ‘Isileli, ‘o fetāngihi ‘i he ‘ao ‘o e ‘Eiki, ‘o a‘u ki he efiafi; pea nau huhū ki he ‘Eiki ‘o pehē, Te u toe fakahoko tau koā mo e hako ‘o Penisimani ko hoku tokoua?

Pea folofola mai ‘a e ‘Eiki, ‘Alu atu pē ki ai.)

(v. 23) And the people of Israel went up and wept before the Lord until the evening. And they inquired of the Lord, “Shall we again draw near to fight against our brothers, the people of Benjamin?” And the Lord said, “Go up against them.”

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

The action of the Levite served its purpose. The nation was stirred momentarily to its center. A great moral passion flamed out. Underneath all the degeneracy was a true stratum of religious conviction, which in the presence of the iniquity of the men of Gibeah sprang to life and action.

It is very remarkable how in the case of nations backsliding from religious ideals this is ever true. In the midst of most sordid and debased times, in the presence of some more than usually violent manifestation of evil, the slumbering convictions of the past will flame into new sensitiveness and demand recognition.

In response to the ghastly and bloody appeal of the Levite we see the tribes of Israel gathered together before God seeking to know how to act.

The low level of morality which had manifested itself in so powerful a form could be dealt with by general suffering. The men who were in the wrong were brutally defiant and refused to hand over the sinners. Moreover, they were strong enough at the first to defeat the army of Israel, and once again its hosts are seen in lamentation, waiting before God.

After this, they again went forward, this time to victory and the sore punishment of the sinning people and of those who had condoned their sin.

David Guzik :: Study Guide for Judges 20

Then the children of Israel went up and wept before the Lord until evening: To their credit, the children of Israel did not stop seeking the Lord after the first disaster in battle. They properly humbled themselves before God and sought Him regarding the next battle.