Judges 20

v1-11: The people were zealous in their response to "the terrible, immoral act that had been committed." They made the decision that "they would not return to their houses... until they had vindicated the honour of God and Israel." When there is "a godly zeal for any good work in a people, it is best to strike while the iron is hot, for such zeal all too readily cools down quickly if there is delay in getting on with the work." We should not leave "that good work for tomorrow which we could just as well have done today."

v12-17: The Israelites wanted the tribe of Benjamin "to consider how great the evil was that had been committed" within their tribe, "and how necessary it therefore was that they should either punish the evildoers with death themselves, according to the Law of Moses, or surrender them to the general assembly" to be punished. This was the way by which "evil could be put away from Israel, the national guilt removed, the infection stopped by cutting out the cancerous part, and judgment on the nation prevented." If we associate with those who have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, "we make ourselves guilty of the sins of others by supporting and defending them."

v18-25: The tribe of Judah was "fighting God's battles against sin." They had "received his commission." But they failed. It should not be thought strange "if a good cause suffers defeat for a while," and we can "sure that God's ways of advancing his purposes are righteous, even when we cannot see the reasons for those ways." This is true with our own battle against sin and desire to make progress in the Christian life.

v26-48: Judah had trusted "too much in two matters: the goodness of their cause and the superiority of their numbers." They took for granted that God would bless them. Now "they begged his favour; they fasted, prayed, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, in order to make atonement for sin, to acknowledge their dependence on God, and to express their worship." If we want God's presence with us, we must "seek it in the ways he has appointed."