Judges 20:18 The people of Israel arose and went up to Bethel and inquired of God, “Who shall go up first for us to fight against the people of Benjamin?” And the Lord said, “Judah shall go up first.”
As if entering the promised land and driving out the pagan nations was not enough, Isreal faced internal issues as a people. Something horrible had happened with the tribe of Benjamin that needed to be handled. (See the opening verses of this chapter.) Justice needed to be served, but it is hard to do. The question arose as to which tribe needed to take the first step. As with the beginning of Joshua, the tribe of Judah was to go first. But this was not doing to be easy. The first day of battle, Benjamin routed the other tribes. Should they continue or give up?
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.”
This time the Israelites had more success, but the war was not won. Should they proceed?
26 Then all the people of Israel, the whole army, went up and came to Bethel and wept. They sat there before the Lord and fasted that day until evening, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord. 27 And the people of Israel inquired of the Lord ... saying, “Shall we go out once more to battle against our brothers, the people of Benjamin, or shall we cease?” And the Lord said, “Go up, for tomorrow I will give them into your hand.”
Notice that this time they not only wept but fasted and gave sacrifices to God. It was a heart-breaking situation. God said to move forward and bring final resolution, as difficult as it was. Obedience to God is not always one easy step. It takes persistence. When it seems hard and painful, God does not want us to become hardened and callous. He wants us to remain sensitive, coming back to Him over and over to make sure it is His will we are pursuing and not our own.
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