There were longstanding issues regarding Benjamin, Saul’s
tribe, and the people of Jabesh-Gilead.
If you go back and read Judges 19-21 you’ll find some interesting
reading. Judges 19 bears a striking
resemblance to the story of Sodom and Gomorrah but the setting is in the
territory of Benjamin. The rest of the
nation rose against Benjamin and then took an oath not to provide wives for the
Benjamites. Later, in chapter 21 there
was pity taken on them that they were “lacking in Israel” because of this
vow. The people took counsel together
and determined that there was one group, the people of Jabesh-Gilead, who had
sent no men to the council at Mizpah and it was determined to move against them
and provide wives for Benjamin from that place.
They then were anathematized in the land. Here, they cry out to those who had rejected
them for aid and assistance against the Ammonites and Saul, from the tribe of
Benjamin, rallies the people to their rescue.
His act on their behalf restored a part of the nation that had been cut
off for its indifference to the need of Saul’s own tribe. This day, graciousness to brothers ruled the
day. Likewise, because of the taking of
wives for Benjamin from this place, there would also have been close relatives
among Benjamin for these people, perhaps another motive for Saul’s action. Did you notice here that our author separates
the men from Israel and the men from Judah?
Can you imagine discovering later that the man you beat and
mocked was the Son of God? The trial is
a farce, guilt has been pre-determined and the only thing to do here is
determine the particular charge that will result in the public accepting His
guilt. They land on the charge of making
Himself equal with God, claiming to be God’s son. Jesus’ refusal to answer their questions
isn’t based in obstinacy, but in the reality that they have evidence and
testimony from a large number of sources on which they can base a decision as
to His identity and they have refused to consider where the evidence in fact
leads. Why would they believe if He said it directly to them?
Jesus had told the disciples that they would be His
witnesses not just in Jerusalem but in the surrounding areas and to the end of
the earth. The persecution of the new
movement after the stoning of Stephen forced others, but not the apostles, to
leave the city and Philip, a deacon, chose to preach the Gospel in
Samaria. Jesus, remember, had revealed
Himself to the people in Samaria, the Samaritans, in John 4, the ground for
preaching Him crucified and resurrected had already been prepared. Not only did Philip preach there, there were
signs of healing and demonic oppression relieved accompanying the
proclamation. In the last part of the
lesson we see a man, Simon, a magician, or wonder worker who has had the people
of the area in thrall with his own works, twice we are told of their amazement
at his works. Simon, however, is amazed
at the works Philip is doing and comes to faith in Jesus. These Samaritans are like the people of
Jabesh-Gilead, separated brothers of Israel, it is fitting that the Gospel
should come to them first after the people of Israel. All that was required to reach them was faith
enough to proclaim Him.
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