And that’s where Hillbillies come from
Seriously? I was reading the last chapter of Judges and I was stunned by the “advice” given to the women-less men of the tribe of Benjamin.
Then they thought of the annual festival of the LORD held in Shiloh, between Lebonah and Bethel, along the east side of the road that goes from Bethel to Shechem. They told the men of Benjamin who still needed wives, “Go and hide in the vineyards. When the women of Shiloh come out for their dances, rush out from the vineyards, and each of you can take one of them home to be your wife!
So the men of Benjamin did as they were told. They kidnapped the women who took part in the celebration and carried them off to the land of their own inheritance. Then they rebuilt their towns and lived in them. – Judges 21:19-21,23
Great advice, kidnap someone and make them your wife. Sounds just a tad cruel to me. But wait, there’s more! And here’s where it gets twilight zonish in my opinion. They did this 200 times!
Um, you’d think that word would spread rather quickly that women were disappearing on the Bethel -Shechem highway.
Shiloh must have had an overabundance of ugly and or stupid young women. Maybe it was something in the water. I can see the conversation now.
Jeddediah says to his daughter Hogolah. “Daughter, the Lord has not graced you with fair features, wisdom, or wealthy parents. But alas, the Lord knows why. I want you to go on a little trip to Shechem, take your time, loiter in the woods, dance a bit.”
Here comes the bride… two-hundred times. Gotcha!
In those days Israel had no king, so the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes. – Judges 21:25
Yeah, like that’s an excuse. You had the written law. You should have known better. As they saying goes, “Ignorance of the law is no excuse.” The entire episode with the near extermination of the tribe of Benjamin should have never happened. Once it did, Israel kept digging a pit for themselves that got deeper and deeper.
Father, may I not act rashly, especially when I feel I have justification. Please give me the grace to step back and listen for the voice of your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
I think they were dancing to the sound of Dueling Banjos. Jan
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