And the men of Israel turned again upon the children of Benjamin, and smote them with the edge of the sword, as well the men of every city, as the beast, and all that came to hand: also they set on fire all the cities that they came to.
What an awful catastrophe doth the close of the chapter form: and all arising from one and the same cause of sin! Oh! my soul, flee from the very approaches of sin, and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness: but may I come out from among them, and touch not the unclean thing: then will He be the Lord my God, and I shall be one among the sons and daughters of the Lord God Almighty, 2 Corinthians 6:17-18
REFLECTIONS
HERE let me learn, from the unanimity of Israel in a just cause, and the blessing of the Lord God upon them, how much it becomes the Israel of God, to unite in the suppression of sin, and in supporting the interest of Jesus in the world. Oh! for zeal for him, and his blessed cause, who hath so loved me as to give himself for me! Here blessed Jesus, give me grace to unite in heart and soul with all thy holy army, and to be valiant in thy cause. And ye soldiers of the Lamb! ye who wear the regimentals of Jesus, and profess to have put on his whole armor; let me speak to you, as the Levite did at Mizpeh, Behold! ye are children of Israel! Be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. Never give quarter to Satan but resist stedfast unto death, striving against sin and count not your life dear unto yourselves. So that you may finish your course with joy, and having fought the good fight of faith may lay hold of eternal life.
And ye men of Benjamin, shall I call you? my poor brethren in sin and transgression, oh! cast down your rebellious arms at the foot of the cross or flee, like the men at Rimmon, flee to Christ Jesus for shelter, while the opportunity of escape remains and while the door of salvation is open. Sweet is the voice, and most precious the promise - All that the Father giveth me, shall come to me, and him that cometh I will in no wise cast out