In college I had to take algebra, calculus, trigonometry, statistics, finance, and accounting. For a guy that doesn’t like math or numbers this seemed like some cruel gauntlet that I had to run through. But what I found out from crunching all those numbers is that there are several ways to get to the same answer. Different methods, different formulas, and different calculations, done properly, could all get you to the same place.
In life this same principle applies, especially to the idea of sin in our lives. No matter the sin in your life, it will all take you to the same place. Speaking of sin, we humans are very clever with the categorization of sin in our lives. Today you might hear sin classified as: a white lie, lack of judgement, lapse of reason, a mistake, an error, an accident or even simply the devil made me do it. But all sin, no matter how or what it looks like, leads you to the same place. No matter how you add, subtract, factor, or account for it, the effects of sin will all give you the same answer. And that answer is pain, suffering, regret, anxiety, doubt, grief, fear, bondage, shame, guilt, separation, and hopelessness.
Today we will finish out the book of Judges with the 21st chapter. The 5 chapter stretch that finishes the book of Judges is quite morbid and well, just flat out sad. God stops providing judges to lead the people in spiritual righteousness and as a result they spiral out of moral control quicker than Superman can fold his laundry. Without God’s guidance, the people quickly turn to serving their own flesh and the results are, well, bad. It’s pretty amazing the vacuum that lives within us that only God can fill. And when God ceases to fill that vacuum, sin will fill it in the blink of an eye.
The eleven tribes of Israel joined together to decimate the 12th tribe, Benjamin, the cost for their great sinful act in chapter 19. The tribe of Benjamin now sits at only 600 men, all others dead at the edge of the sword. As a result, the 11 tribes call a meeting to discuss the results of their actions and how to preserve what is left of the tribe of Benjamin. And from this meeting we get a powerful glimpse into the cost of sin.
“And the people came to Bethel and sat there till evening before God, and they lifted up their voices and wept bitterly. And they said, “O Lord, the God of Israel, why has this happened in Israel, that today there should be one tribe lacking in Israel?” Judges 21:2-3
The cost of sin as we look back at it, is tough to cope with. The great sin of the tribe of Benjamin caused their demise but as the eleven tribes look back on it, they can only question God as to why. But of course, as we sin against God, we know the answer, we just may not want to deal with the answer. The answer is we are broken, sinful, weak, rebellious, and prideful towards God and His righteous statutes. Our rebellion towards God has a cost and when it’s time to pay, we find oursleves backed in a corner, resisting that long look in the mirror, directly at the person that caused all of this suffering.
But in the crux of our lesson, we find the council of eleven only make matters worse. They make an oath to further punish the tribe of Benjamin by denying them any wife from any of the remaining tribes. In making this oath they pretty much sign the extinction sentence for Benjamin. In their demand for absolute justice, they stack another wrong on top of the pile not bothering to consult God or look for the greater good. Two wrongs just make more wrong.
So, to preserve the tribe of Benjamin, they must get them wives. But how? Stack more wrong on top. They raid the town of Jabesh-Gilead and slaughter everyone except for the female virgins. All other men, women and children were murdered. Folks, this was a huge wrong stacked on top of several other wrongs. The pile of wrongs just keeps growing with no end in sight. But wait, there’s more. They only got 400 virgins in the raid and there are 600 men left in Benjamin, so they’re 200 short. The answer? They tell the 200 men to go set up an ambush and kidnap young girls as they are dancing at the local wine festival. (How reminiscent of the musical Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.) If two wrongs don’t make a right, what do 6 wrongs make?
You see, many times in our efforts to work through our sinful decisions, we make the major error of trying to correct it with more sinful actions. We think that we can somehow erase our own sin. We work and work, but to no avail, we only end up making it worse. I’ve heard it said that if you find yourself in a big hole the first thing to do to get out is to stop digging. If you find yourself battling sin issues in your life today, stop digging. You can’t make it better on your own and you can’t fix it on you own. Only the power of Jesus Christ can remedy the sin issues in your life. But it’s not a magic act and there’s no mere sprinkling of fairy dust, you have to personally claim the remedy Jesus offers.
Admit your sin to Jesus. Be honest, tell Him everything. He already knows all that you’ve done, but you must confess your wrongs against Him. Next, ask Him to forgive you for your wrongs against Him. Our sin is directly against God and it hurts Him when we blatantly disobey Him. As a result, we need to apologize and ask His forgiveness. If you ask, He is rich in mercy and ready to forgive. Then repent. Turn from that sin. Don’t live out the definition of insanity which is “doing the same thing over and over but expecting a different result.” What if I robbed a bank and got parole but then robbed another bank the next day? You see, I was wrong, got caught and was forgiven but there was no repentance. There must be repentance or there will continue to be sin and judgement. The cycle of sin must be broken, and the only way is through confession, forgiveness, and repentance.
Don’t allow sin to run your life. Sin multiplies and breeds in the proper soil. A selfish, prideful heart that is in rebellion to God creates that soil. And it is there that sin will rule. Give your heart to Jesus, ask Him to come into your heart and plant His goodness, righteousness, peace, and freedom. And as He does, fight fiercely to protect that heart. Don’t allow sin into your heart, reject it, flee from it. And as you flee from sin, run into the arms of Jesus.
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23
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