“The Hollow Men” is a haunting, exquisite poem by T. S. Eliot. You may have heard the closing lines referenced in pop culture: “This is the way the world ends / Not with a bang but a whimper.”
I reread the poem after walking backward and forward through today’s passage in Judges, the final chapter of a brutal journey. We are trained, when reading stories, to settle into a conclusion not long after the climax. We long to be satisfied. The book of Judges doesn’t do that. Earlier in the poem, Eliot writes the following.
The eyes are not here / There are no eyes here / In this valley of dying stars / In this hollow valley / This broken jaw of our lost kingdoms. // ….death’s twilight kingdom / The hope only / Of empty men.
Eliot’s “empty men” are a helpful comparison as we end our study of Judges. The weight and power of Eliot’s words capture, in ways I never could, the heart-wailing of the tribes of Israel. When death is the only hope for an end, we are left in total darkness.
We know that Jesus is our conquering King, the life and light of humankind. But Judges doesn’t end with Jesus. Judges ends with a “valley of dying stars,” empty men grasping together at nothing. “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did whatever seemed right to him” (Judges 21:25). As modern readers, we can read this last verse in Judges and know it’ll all be okay because Jesus is coming. Even though that is true, would you be willing to resist that temptation for closure with me today?
Let us whimper. Let us feel the ache of the ages, the desperation for something we cannot name. The longing for a king that led the Israelites in caustic circles is the same longing that leads us to fill our lives with stuff that distracts and tries to counteract that epic ache.
The inclination to grasp at goodness is the right response to reading the book of Judges. Our hearts are magnetized to light, not darkness. Judges provokes that tension in us, leaving us with an unsettled feeling. It is a historical book, a true tragedy tucked in the middle of the greatest book ever written. And yet, its darkness is unparalleled. Its darkness makes us crave light.
Chiaroscuro is an art technique that utilizes sharp contrasts—light and dark—for dramatic impact. Judges is a book of chiaroscuro. The whole picture of the Bible is made more vibrant, more impactful, more necessary because of these dark corners. We can thank God for the book of Judges, and we can thank Him for wiring our hearts to long for the goodness and light that only He provides.
Leave a Reply
40 thoughts on "Brides for Benjamin"
There existed the times in Judges as this. Just like now. We looked around and realized the times of Judges sneaking up on us. We are born on this side of history. Blessed be the nations whose God is the Lord. Whenever God and His Word are not honored, the degenerate spiritual and moral standards, debased social conditions and disordered civil authority are a likely result. Something i saw in my KJV Bible study gave me great hope: had the tribe of Benjamin been totally wiped out, Saul, Esther and Mordecai, and the Apostle Paul would have never been born. To God be the glory. His Grace is with the remnants. May we be the remnants in our nations, that because of even 10, 5 or 1 righteous person, God will preserve. Thanks be to His rich mercy. Be blessed dear sisters.❤
Hi ladies, my conclusion after finishing this study is that I’m really glad the book of Judges was preserved for us. Despite its horrors, it’s real and it’s no different from the world around us today. The world everywhere is dark, full of death and destruction and people harming others by their selfish and foolish choices. And just like then, the people God called to be light have harmed themselves and others. It is a very clear picture of the results of forgetting God. Seeing the parallels between the world of Judges and our own helps me understand that the war, death, and destruction of our own time isn’t an outlier, and in every generation God has preserved righteous people like Boaz and Ruth.
♥️
❤️
That was a great commentary to wrap up this bleak but necessary study. I appreciate the book of Judges for its unflinching portrayal of the darkness of human nature. It provides stark contrast to the light and grace of Jesus’s gift of salvation. We now have a true and forever King. ❤️
I am praying forTheresa Donley’s recovery and praying for you all. I am so grateful for this study. I recently became a real subscriber and took a ton of notes. It certainly is a tragedy to forget God and we never learn. Praying for the prolife agencies in Ohio and everywhere that offer love and support to women, their babies and their choices.
TRACI GENDRON…you are in my thoughts and prayers.. sending you so many hugs and love..❤️❤️❤️.
Judges is hard to read, but I’m glad we did it. The title “The Tragedy of Forgetting God” says it all.
Thank you all for praying for me. Today first thing this morning, I took the dog for a walk, put Pandora on my phone and “Heaven Help Me’ started playing from the beginning! It is a song I heard all the time before Tanner died. Then the first song I heard when I got in my car the day after he died. It brought tears, but comfort.
I know I am wild for this, but I actually liked reading Judges. It light of the darkness, how much brighter does Jesus shine? Chiaroscuro is a great analogy. It is not easy to observe the wretchedness of mankind. It reveals how weak we are and how merciful God is. Honestly, I needed to see that visually- how merciful God is in contrast to how wicked we can be. We need this book, truly, we do. I know it is not easy to read, but how much brighter is the morning sun of blessings and joy after a night of weeping… Seriously.
Anyways. I AMEN the words of @Blessed Beth. This verse stood out to me, too.
@HL- prayers for your final interview today! May the Lord give you His peaceable and pure wisdom as you walk in obedience.
@Teresa D- I pray you remember to know God is God and He has you in His hands. He sustains your breath. May you know and see Him in this time of vulnerability and weakness. May He hold you close.
@Adrienne- May the Lord be near to this family… And bring great comfort. That is so awful. May they see His goodness working things together for their good… May He give them His peace that surpasses knowledge.
God bless all you, Shes..thankful we can read the Word together and intercede for one another. A prayer lifted up for those with unspoken needs. God sees you. Keep praying and believing for change. Love you ♥️
As I read the lesson for today, I can’t help but parallel it to the world we live in today. As a nation, the further and further we get away from our true King, Jesus, the more and more we “do what is right according to our own ways”, which sadly, is missing the mark entirely. I pray, Lord, that you keep my heart centrally focused on You even in the midst of the chaos around me.
“When death is the only hope for an end, we are left in total darkness.” I admit, just like the others. This was a very hard read, and I read things I never knew were there. Thank you to our Father God, giving us his one, and only son, for you and I and that’s why we are here today and I hope that we have and someday we will all be united with HIM. Meanwhile, I have some work to do here. Right now I get to love on little children. I hope someday they see that it’s Jesus, and not me. It’s all Jesus! None of it’s me.
My last study was the book of Esther where she was trafficked into the kings harem, and now here in Judges we see the trafficking of girls for wives. This theme has been so heavy on my heart and I recently encountered an organization called She Is Safe that focuses on rescuing young girls and women in the 10-40 region from being trafficked. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that this sin has been highlighted in my life lately and i have been aching to learn more and find out what I can do to help. This was a good study. Thank you.
I love Melanie’s comment that the rest of the Bible is vibrant when we see it in contrast to the dark corners of Judges. This is my second journey through Judges since September. I tutor Bible College students and the darkness of Judges weighed heavily. This time through it I saw the pops of light shining through. God was there, ready to bring about the fulfillment of his covenant promise with Abraham, waiting for his chosen people to call on him. In the people’s darkest days God came through. How grateful I am that we know the whole story of God. When Judges ends, I Samuel begins. It is God’s rescue story.
Happy Friday! And Yes – Happy we’re done in Judges day!! As you have all said, this was a hard read. Especially today where once again it was mentioned that the sword was to kill everyone living in Jabesh Gilead, including women and children. (Judges 21:10) I can not even imagine the horrors! This book has been SO dark, but as has been said – the darker the night, the brighter the light. Praise God for Jesus who is the Light of the World! Our world is in such need of a Savior…Father God, please open the hearts and minds of those who do not know you, who haven’t a clue who Jesus is. Turn them from darkness to light, from the power of Satan to You – God Almighty. That they too may know your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness. Let us who believe shine our light – the light of Jesus – for all to see. Use us for Your honor and Your glory. In Jesus Name.
@Teresa Donley – praying for you today as you have your spinal tap. May God’s grace carry you through it all – from the tap to the lying in bed for 24 hrs to the results. May God’s peace be upon you.
@HL – praying for your interview – hope all goes well and communication is good on both parts. God’s peace no matter what the results.
@Adrienne – Praying for Sue, her DIL and her granddaughter as this family has had one heartache after another. May God carry them through these difficult days.
@CeeGee – praying you will be fully recovered come Monday!
Happy Friday my SRT sisters! May each of you walk in the light and love of Jesus today and let your light shine for Him!! ❤️
Like most of you, I am so glad to close the door on this book. I have read it before, but I know it will stay with me now because of all of the wonderful contributions/discussion shared here.
I feel like it brought us together in a way that no recent study has done. I love you all and love your hearts!
So thankful that their pain wasn’t wasted in that it was part of God’s sovereign plan. Like the Israelites we sometimes have to go through a dark time in order to truly appreciate all that God is and does. Thank You, God, for loving us through the dark times.
TERESA DONLEY – Praying for peace for your heart, blessings from the Word, and for those administering the spinal tap. Mostly praying with you for accuracy in the test and diagnosis. Hang in there, sis; we are with you in spirit! ❤
SEARCHING and MERCY – ❤
KIMBERLY Z and DONNA WOLCOTT – Praying your special weekend is truly blessed. Safe travels!
We did it!! Happy last day of Judges!!
Even though the books ends with everything still a mess, what a beautiful reminder of the light and hope that is to come.
A reminder as well for us to be that shining light.
Prayer request: I have a final interview this afternoon for a job that I’m excited about. Things have moved very quickly this week with the interview process and I’ve seen His hand in everything. Prayers for peace, light and communication on both sides of the interview.
Praying for you all today
Today while reading the final chapter I was reminded of something I heard “Sin will take you farther than you want to go and keep you longer than you want to stay.” So thankful for redemption through Jesus Christ.
Amen ! Thank you all for your wise comments during this difficult journey. I don’t think I would have finished without each of you. Giving thanks for each of you and prayers for your needs. Thankful for our Redeemer. Heading to NH to spend a few days with my son and his family. My daughter-in-law and I are spending some mother daughter time tomorrow, wreath making. Hugs dear sisters.
For several weeks the link for the. Very first Scripture does not work. Just letting you know.
For several weeks the link for the. Very first Scripture does not work. Just letting v you know.
I read this verse today. This is why we do not have to be discouraged after reading Judges but we can rejoice that it shows us our need for a Savior. It points us to Jesus
“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,”
Titus 3:4-5 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/tit.3.4-5.ESV
@Teresa Donley, praying for you today as you have the spinal tap. May God give you His peace and hold you in His arms. Praying for you as you wait for the results in the days ahead. Also praying that God would bring healing to you.
“Everyone acted freely yet none of them experienced the TRUE freedom they longed for”. Praising God today for Jesus and the freedom He gives freely! Life is tough and I am so grateful to have God by my side every step of the way! This was a beautiful study and I am so glad to be doing it with you She’s! Have a great weekend! ☮️ and ❤️
Judges is a highlight of where we are in todays world. Or that human-kind remains in the same situation time and time again. But it also highlights our deep need for our savior, Jesus Christ. After reading this, I feel that Jesus shines brighter in the darkness. Beckoning us to come towards him, to shed off our human ways, and run to Him. Taking off every weight that lingers in and on us. That our true destination is freedom, a true hope and the love of God.
GM She’s! Happy FriYAY and DONE-DAY of Judges!
I’m glad we made it to the end of this study. I repeat what all of you have said, not a fun read but important. We must see how bad things go apart from God. I like what one of our she’s said that framing the cover of Judges to put up as a reminder. We must remember where we have come from (sinful, unforgiven, separated from God!), to where we are now! We are forgiven, made anew, one with Christ, our ashes into beauty!!! I am so, so thankful that the Lord pulled me out of my darkness. I should therefore want to share the light with all! We are the perfect ones to share because we have Joy and Peace in our lives not matter what comes, and a hope that unbelievers do not!
Have a great day and wkd! Prayers for each of you!
The horrors of October 7 and the ongoing harsh words and acts along with this study have really impacted me. We continue to need Jesus and wait for his triumphant return. Thanks be to God for his promises and hope he offers us. Blessings, friends.
Thank you Tina for these words. You are such a great encourager.
From HRT: “The book of Judges is an unflinching window into the human heart—our hearts—apart from God. But where human tragedy exists, God’s redeeming love prevails.”
Although it is not comfortable to read about disobedience and evil, it was necessary to fully appreciate the love and forgiveness that is Jesus. It reminds me of when I was teaching and I would have the kids give examples of something, and then a non-example.
Obedience
examples: following rules, listening to the leader, making the right choice
non-example: doing what is right in your own eyes, the Book of Judges
Like many of you have already said, I don’t think I would have read the book of Judges on my own either. I am thankful that I did. It makes me so sad that today’s world reflects so much of what we have been reading over the past 4 weeks. I honestly want to take the cover off my book and frame it. I want to remember what a tragedy it is when I forget God! Thank you, Lord for the book of Judges. As hard as it was to read, don’t let me ever forget what it is like to be without You!
Thank you my friends for your comments and discussions through this study. I echo what others have said, I don’t think I would have finished without all of you. Blessings to each of you today
I am so glad that we made it through. As Melanie said in the devotion today…. “ We know that Jesus is our conquering King, the life and light of humankind. But Judges doesn’t end with Jesus. Judges ends with a “valley of dying stars,” empty men grasping together at nothing. “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did whatever seemed right to him” (Judges 21:25). As modern readers, we can read this last verse in Judges and know it’ll all be okay because Jesus is coming.”
There was a theme throughout, and I know we have all seen it… There was no king, and so they did what was “right” in their own eyes. (But it doesn’t seem like they did what was “right”, huh?)
We know how the story “ends”. The best. King. ever. Is coming, sweet She’s! And He is coming to rescue you and me. ✝️
Blessings and prayers offered for all.
FYI… Leo’s uncle Chad passed yesterday after his drowning accident. Please pray for the family’s peace, especially for his 10YO daughter that will likely have a hard time making sense of it all and his mother, Sue (Leo’s grandma also). The family has had so much heartache the last few months. Thank you.
TINA, BRENDA, BLESSED BETH, KELLY (NEO), KRISTINE LOUGHMAN, and many/most others probably – it’s the end of Judges, Amen! If this had been a book series, I would have set it aside long ago. Thank you, sisters, for insight and comments. Thank you, Lord, for helping me see so many ways that I have failed You, the mercy You’ve shown, the forgiveness You’ve extended and grace upon grace You’ve given.
There was so much wrong thinking in this chapter, just like present day.
These words in the last verse “everyone did what was right in his own eyes” reflect attitudes in our world today, and James 3:16 sums up the results of this wrong thinking “For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.”
We have our hope in Jesus, Hallelujah! May our love for Him light the way for others.
KIMBERLY Z – happy birthday to your dad, safe travels.
TERESA DONLEY – praying for you, dear sister, through the test and recovery period. Praying for God’s peace and encouragement as you listen to His words, for speedy and accurate results, wisdom in any decisions. love you ❣️
KELLY (NEO) praying for speedy repayment
LAURA – your comment “sometimes the darkness has to get SO dark for the LIGHT to shine through” – so true, may our Light for Christ shine bright. ❤️
MOLLY R ❤️ Thankful for the peace of Jesus.
CEE GEE ❤️ praying for continued recovery!!
Yes, whew we are at the last of it. YUK!! I read Judges on my own quite some time ago; it was so confusing, shocking, everything we have said here that I remember buzzing thru it just to call it a day so-to-speak. I’m gonna be thinking about this book for some time, as it really seems to parallel the world as it is now. Grateful for each of you, and the SRT study to walk me thru scene by awful scene. But still, YUK! I may know Jesus, but I really can’t look down at the folks who lived in the time of Judges like I want to, because my heart is also dark when I turn from the Light to chase the things of this world.
So many similarities to the world today sadly. Come Lord Jesus Come. Forgive us, forgive me Lord. In Jesus name, Amen
We made it. Whew. I’m grateful for this study and this community because otherwise I don’t think I would have chosen or finished this book of the Bible. We can do hard things together!
BRENDA – I appreciated what you learned from your commentary. On paper it seems easier to just ask for forgiveness! In practice, we would rather burn cities than admit we were wrong.
Amen! ❤️
So true TINA
Israel continued her bad choices by killing more of her own people and showing no regard for the girls taken to be wives.
From HRT: “Depraved human decision-making—void of all divine wisdom or godly counsel—made a terrible situation even worse and resulted in hundreds of innocent lives being upended.”
Just thinking how Ruth came from Moab to this culture that was so far from what God had called them to be. Striking how different Boaz was from the people we read about in Judges. God always has a remnant of faithful people.
LEXI B – praying for your heart to heal and for you to find a healthy church community.
TERESA DONLEY – praying the Lord fills you with His peace during your procedure today. Listening to the Bible sounds like an excellent idea.
I am so thankful that our study ended with James 3:13-18 it gave me encouragement and peace. God bless each of you and may you experience His wisdom –
“ 17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”
Happy Friday She’s and last day of the Judges study. I am very much looking forward to the next one as I know many of you are as well. I found today’s reading interesting because when I looked up the Enduring Word Bible commentary, they mentioned that Israel went out of their way to do terrible things like slaughter an entire city when they could have just confessed their sin of making a foolish oath and given their own daughters as wives. But how often do I dig my heels in for something foolish when there is an easier way through confession and repentance? Probably more than I’d like to admit.
We got there.
Praise God.
We got there!
This has been a roller coaster ride of a journey! From beginning to end, my heart has felt nothing but anger, anxiousness, disappointment, sadness.. because I have been the Israelites..
But today, I feel thankful wrapped in gratitude because I have JESUS.
I HAVE JESUS!
I am not perfect, far, far, far from it..
BUT GOD..
Thankful, I have a relationship with God, which means that I can make mistakes, yes, humongous ones, gigantic ones and I can come to the throne of grace and know that on my knees and repentant, My God, will forgive me and lead me on..
My take away from these last torturous weeks, is that God, has always been the same, then and now, the Israelites, had the same chances from a loving God as we do, the difference being, I think, is that the Judges did their best… BUT we, this side of the old testament got the Saviour.. Jesus..
Praising the Lord God, for being born in these days, and for the gift of Jesus to be our Savior. Thank you God, with all my heart, Thank you Father God..
AMEN..
Happy Friday dear hearts, covered in love, and wrapped in gratitude to be here with you each morning.❤️