because the LORD had made a void in the tribes of Israel
The phrase acknowledges divine sovereignty in the events that transpired. The "void" or gap in the tribes signifies the absence of Benjamin, highlighting the consequences of sin and disobedience. This void serves as a reminder of the importance of unity and the dangers of internal strife. Theologically, it underscores the belief that God allows certain events to unfold as a means of discipline or to fulfill His purposes, as seen in Romans 8:28. The void also foreshadows the need for restoration and reconciliation, themes central to the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, who came to restore what was lost and to reconcile humanity to God (2 Corinthians 5:18-19).

Judges 21:15: “The people grieved for Benjamin, because the LORD had made a void in the tribes of Israel.”

• This grief is genuine, public, and sustained, echoing the earlier weeping at Bethel (Judges 20:26; 21:2).

• Their sorrow rises from the shock of seeing civil war decimate their own family—what began as righteous indignation over sin (Judges 19–20) ends with a near-extinction.

• Scripture often highlights heartfelt mourning when God’s judgment falls: “Samuel was distressed and cried out to the LORD all night” (1 Samuel 15:11) and “Nehemiah… wept and mourned for days” (Nehemiah 1:4).

• Their tears reveal a restored tenderness; the nation is beginning to sense both the weight of sin and the beauty of brotherly love (Romans 12:10).

• Benjamin, Jacob’s last son (Genesis 35:18), holds a cherished place in Israel’s story—loved by his father and blessed by Moses as the one who “dwells between His shoulders” (Deuteronomy 33:12).

• Only 600 Benjamite men survived (Judges 20:47). The assembly now realizes that without urgent action the tribe could vanish, erasing part of the covenant community.

• The family bond matters: “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it” (1 Corinthians 12:26). Their mourning affirms that attacking sin must never eclipse love for the sinner.

• Saul, Israel’s first king, and later the apostle Paul would both come from Benjamin (1 Samuel 9:21; Philippians 3:5). Preserving the tribe safeguards God’s unfolding plan.

• Israel acknowledges God’s sovereignty; nothing happens outside His hand (Deuteronomy 32:39; Lamentations 3:37-38).

• “Void” underscores a God-ordained gap—Benjamin’s seats at the national table lie empty. The people did the fighting, yet they confess the result to be from the LORD, much like David who said, “The LORD has turned and become my enemy” (2 Samuel 16:11).

• Divine judgment is always measured: He disciplines to purify, not annihilate (Hebrews 12:10-11). Their grief shows they grasp both the justice and mercy of God at work.

• The verse also anticipates restoration, because acknowledging that God created the void implies He can refill it (Isaiah 57:18).

• The covenant family is designed to number twelve tribes (Genesis 49:28); a missing tribe threatens their identity and mission.

• Unity among the tribes is essential for worship (Deuteronomy 12:5-7), defense (Joshua 22:12), and inheritance (Joshua 19).

• Previous fractures—such as the near split over the Transjordan altar (Joshua 22)—show how dangerous division can be. Here, the void is literal, underscoring the need for reconciliation.

• The church today draws a parallel lesson: harmony within Christ’s body safeguards witness to the world (John 17:21; Ephesians 4:3-4).

Israel’s tears over Benjamin spring from a heart awakened to family loss, divine judgment, and national unity. God Himself permitted the void, yet their grief—rooted in love and reverence—moves them toward creative solutions that restore the tribe and protect the integrity of the whole covenant community. Judges 21:15 therefore highlights the high cost of sin, the sovereignty of God in discipline, and the redemptive impulse that flows when His people value every member of His family.

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