This is the bottom of Israel’s spiral into depravity. They only do what’s right in their own eyes. And because of this, see how quickly Israel turns into a Sodom and Gomorrah themselves (as the story with Lot in Genesis 19), if not worse.. because of sexual violence. Unthinkably, the husband sacrifices his wife to protect himself. The Levite carves his wife’s body into 12 pieces and ships her to the elders of the 12 tribes to incite war against Gibeah. Outraged, 11 of Israel’s tribes muster 400,000 troops and march on the city. But the tribe of Benjamin chooses to defend Gibeah’s immorality.

For the first time since the Book of Joshua, Israel seems united in its desire to destroy the immorality in the land of Canaan. Ironically though, Israel must destroy one of her own clans to do so. The enemy of YHWH is no longer outside, as we have read from Exodus, Joshua and until now in Judges, but the enemy is within Israel. In a series of three battles both sides take heavy losses. The body count proves YHWH’s judgment isn’t just against Benjamin, but against all of Israel’s men. Six hundred men from Benjamin escape, but no women or children are left alive. The conquering tribes then secure Benjamin’s eradication and make a law that no father can give their daughters in marriage to Benjamin. But the men of Israel realize this is shortsighted. Israel can’t be without all 12 tribes. Their solution is a loophole – no one will “give” their virgin daughters to Benjamin; instead they will “take” them by force. Israel resorts to the same behavior that started the war, exploiting and raping 600 women so the men can save face.

Israel has rejected YHWH’s kingship and crowned themselves as better lawgivers. And the constant violence against women is grisly proof of Israel’s failures in general, but its men’s failures in particular. Israel needs a leader who does not do whatever seems best in his own eyes. And Israel needs a husband who will not sacrifice his bride to save his skin. That husband and leader is Yeshua, who sacrificed himself to save his bride. Yeshua was thrown to the crowds, his clothes were gambled over, he was naked, his body was stripped and abused for the pleasure of those watching. Yeshua does what is right in YHWH’s eyes.

The chapter of Judges ends with “In those days there was no sovereign in Yisrael – everyone did what was right in his own eyes“, Judges 21:25