What connections exist between Judges 21:4 and other Old Testament sacrificial practices? Setting the Scene: Judges 21:4 “The next day the people got up early, built an altar, and presented burnt offerings and peace offerings.” Why an Altar, and Why These Two Offerings? • In the Law, every significant moment of covenant renewal involves an altar (Exodus 20:24–25). • Burnt offerings (Leviticus 1:3–9) symbolize complete surrender; the entire animal is consumed. • Peace offerings (Leviticus 3:1–5) celebrate restored fellowship; part is burned, part eaten by worshipers. Echoes of Mount Sinai and Joshua’s Covenant Ceremonies • Exodus 24:4–8 – Moses builds an altar, offers burnt and peace offerings, then sprinkles blood to affirm Israel’s oath. • Joshua 8:30–31 – Joshua replicates the Sinai pattern at Mount Ebal before reading the law. Judges 21 mirrors these earlier covenant renewals. Burnt Offerings: Total Consecration • Leviticus 1:9 calls the burnt offering “a pleasing aroma.” • In Judges 21, Israel’s sin against Benjamin (Judges 20) demands radical consecration, echoing Genesis 22 where Abraham’s willingness to offer Isaac shows absolute devotion. Peace Offerings: Restored Fellowship • Leviticus 7:11–15 links peace offerings to thanksgiving and vows. • After the civil war, the tribes seek reconciliation—first with God, then among themselves—matching the peace offering’s dual emphasis on divine and communal harmony. Paired Sacrifices Throughout the Old Testament • 1 Samuel 11:15 – Saul’s coronation includes both burnt and peace offerings, marking new beginnings. • 2 Chronicles 29:20–36 – Hezekiah’s revival features the same pairing to signal cleansing and rejoicing. • Ezra 6:17 – Post-exile Israelites dedicate the new temple with burnt and peace offerings, echoing Judges 21’s intention of national restoration. Careful Observance of Levitical Detail • Judges 21:4 stresses early-morning obedience, matching Leviticus 6:12–13 instructions to keep fire burning continually. • The people build an altar “on which no iron tool has been used” (cf. Exodus 20:25; Deuteronomy 27:5), underscoring literal adherence to the law. Theological Threads Tying It All Together • Covenant renewal after sin or transition consistently combines: – An altar (place of meeting). – Burnt offerings (total consecration). – Peace offerings (restored fellowship). • Judges 21 follows this template, showing Scripture’s unified pattern from Moses to the post-exilic community. Key Takeaways • God’s prescribed sacrifices remain the fixed path to reconciliation; Israel’s leaders acknowledge this by literally following Levitical commands. • The pairing of burnt and peace offerings demonstrates that genuine repentance (burnt) naturally leads to renewed joy and unity (peace). • Judges 21:4 confirms that even during chaotic times, the nation still looks back to God’s unchanging sacrificial order, reinforcing the continuity of Scripture’s sacrificial theology. |
    |