The sin of Gibeah (v 9-11)

To point out Israel’s sin, the events at Gibeah are cited as an example. These refer to the acts of outrage committed against a traveling Levite and the mass slaughter carried out to punish that act (Judges 19-21). (1) As a result of this incident, 25,000 warriors of the tribe of Benjamin were killed in battle, and only 600 were left. (2) Since that incident, Israel has continued to sin against God. Therefore, the same kind of events that occurred at Gibeah will come upon the people of Israel. (3) This too is a prophecy of the time of the Great Tribulation. When the time of the Great Tribulation comes, two-thirds of the Jewish people will perish at the hands of the armies of the Gentile nations (Zech. 13:8-9). (4) The “two sins” are the sins committed at Gilgal and Beth-aven. These two places were centers of idolatry. (5) When God’s judgment comes down, the privileges that had been given to the people of Israel will be taken away. They were like a “trained heifer,” able to eat grain freely without being put under a yoke (ref. Deut. 25:4). However, such freedom will be taken away, and the people will fall into a state of bondage. In verse 12, a call to repentance is made. If they repent, they will “sow for yourselves, with a view to righteousness; harvest in accordance with kindness.” It says that if they do not seek the Lord now, something terrible will happen. If they wish to receive the Lord’s blessing, they must first repent (the call to repentance had already been made in 6:1-3).

The wicked harvest

However, Israel ignored this call. They “plowed wickedness…harvested injustice…eaten the fruit of lies.” (1) What they trust in are their own deeds, alliances with neighboring nations, and military power. (2) As a result, uprisings break out among the people, and all the fortresses throughout the land are destroyed. A tragedy like the one that occurred when Shalman (Shalmaneser V, king of Assyria) destroyed Beth-arbel will come upon the people of Israel. (3) At that time, they will come to know that the only One who can save them is the God of Israel. Let us remember the words of 6:1-3. There it says, “Come, let’s return to the Lord. For He has torn us, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bandage us.” No matter how great our sins may be, if we repent and return to the Lord, He will accept us, heal us, and bind us up. How are you hearing the call of love from the Lord?