They asked, "Shall we go up again to battle with Benjamin our brother, or not? The Lord responded, "Go, for tomorrow I will give them into your hands." Judges 20:28b
A cancer had begun to grow in Israel. Gibeah had become a wicked city, and if the Israelites had allowed the sin to continue in their midst, the whole nation could have been lost. It took the hideous act of one Levite to get their attention, but finally the men of Israel awoke from their complacency. Gathering together, they made plans to remove the evil; Benjamin, their brother, must be destroyed.
From all appearances, they did things right. They inquired of God about what to do, and He said to first send the men of Judah to fight against the Benjamites. The first day of battle, twenty-two thousand Israelites died. Again, they inquired of God about what to do. Again, He said to fight.
On the second day, eighteen thousand Israelites lost their lives. Forty thousand men had died! I'm certain Israel was questioning, "Did we really hear God correctly? If we are supposed to fight, why are we losing?"
A third time, Israel inquired of God. This time, their frustration is obvious. "Shall we go up again to battle with Benjamin our brother, or not?"
How many times do we start down the path upon which God tells us to travel, and we fail? How many battles do we seem to lose - even when God is clearly saying to fight? The third day of battle changed the course for Israel, but it took two days of heavy losses before they saw success.
Why did God's plan involve the loss of so many? There were times before when Israel routed an enemy and not one man was lost. What was different about this time?
I don't know the answers, but I can see the lessons.
This time, Israel was not attacking a foreign people. Benjamin was a brother. Attacking a brother is painful - for everyone involved. But regardless of the pain, the battle must sometimes be fought.
Sometimes, God calls us to break the bonds of blood, so His purpose can be fulfilled.
Another important lesson I see can only come from experiencing loss: humility. The pride of Israel was fairly apparent. They were the chosen people of the One True God; He even resided in their tabernacle. But they still lived as each one saw fit.
Sometimes, God calls us to be broken, so His purpose can be fulfilled.
Lord, do You want me to again battle the enemy, or not? Sometimes, it seems I lose more than I gain, but I know the battle cannot be abandoned - Your purpose is yet to be fulfilled. There is always more to be broken, but (I am afraid to ask) break me in the way of Your choosing. Make me a man who wins, yet give me patience for the loss.