The Blessings Contained in the Covenant of the Twelve Tribes (Judges 21:13–17)
The Blessings Contained in the Covenant of the Twelve Tribes (Judges 21:13–17) 7/12/2026
The Book of Judges records how the people who lost hold of God’s covenant failed and came to be trampled even by the Gentiles (the unbelieving world). Chapters 17 through 21 describe how deeply Israel fell into corruption and utter ruin after Samson. Every household made its own idols, hired Levites as private priests, fought one another over them, and even became more sexually depraved than Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19, with same-sex relations becoming commonplace. In the end, they even used these matters as a pretext to wage war against one another. Eventually, the tribe of Benjamin faced complete destruction (Galatians 5:15). Today’s passage shows the people finally regretting what had happened and seeking to restore the tribe of Benjamin.
How did God’s people become this way? Why was it necessary to restore the tribe of Benjamin?
The Bible says, ‘There is nothing new under the sun.’ The same things are repeated in every age, and today the situation is even more serious, just as Scripture prophesied.
When the Israelites worshiped idols, they had not completely abandoned God. Rather, they attempted to worship God while also worshiping idols. This is called religious syncretism. Today, the world has even progressed toward a movement for religious unity. The Bible calls this apostasy—a departure from the gospel (2 Thessalonians 2:3)—and says it follows the teachings of demons (1 Timothy 4:1). Some large churches and denominations in America have gone so far as to remove Theological Seminary from denominational approval because it does not affirm same-sex marriage.
What, then, does God desire in these last days? The answer is clear. The Spiritual Battle, and the movement that restores that the Bible alone is God’s Word and the movement that restores the gospel that Christ alone is our Savior. The devil fears nothing except God’s Word and the gospel. Churches that proclaim this will continue to face persecution, but God has promised to protect them, give them victory, and bless them as the remnants of their generation (Mark 10:29–30).
Why did God continue to restore the tribe of Benjamin even during the corrupt age of the Judges? The twelve tribes of Israel are not merely a Jewish genealogy. They represent the lineage of the remnant whom God chose and saved throughout the Old Testament.
Likewise, in the New Testament age, there remaining ones chosen by grace (Romans 11:5). They are the Remnants. Scripture describes them as the 144,000 descendants of the twelve tribes (Revelation 7:1–12), while also teaching that they are found among every nation (Revelation 7:9).
- How important are these 144,000 Remnants?
1) They are the number of people chosen according to God’s absolute plan. God chose Abraham, made a covenant with him, and blessed him for this very purpose (Genesis 12:1–3) It said that all the peoples of the earth would receive salvation through him. We too are included in that promise. Christ came as Abraham’s descendant, and all who are saved in Christ become Abraham’s spiritual descendants and share in the same blessing (Galatians 3:14, 3:29).
2) When Joseph’s descendants lost hold of this covenant, they became slaves in Egypt under unbelievers. After Joshua, the Israelites who lost the covenant continued to be oppressed by the Canaanites. That is the history of the Book of Judges. Eventually Israel lost the covenant and was taken into captivity. Yet after seventy years, God brought them back.
This demonstrates God’s unfailing covenant love (‘hesed’) toward His chosen people. No matter what hardships, crises, persecution, or failures you face, restore your confidence in God’s love, rise again, and begin anew.
3) Why must believers be united in the covenant of the gospel and in the covenant of Christ?
① Because they are God’s army in the last days, called to fight against the forces of darkness.
Satan will use every possible means to destroy individuals, churches, and the global church (Revelation 12:12). Yet Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords, will fight alongside His people, and therefore they will overcome (Revelation 17:14).
② While some in the last days bear the mark of Satan (Revelation 13:18), God’s people bear God’s seal (Revelation 7:4). This means that when we hear and believe the gospel of Christ, the Holy Spirit seals us (Ephesians 1:13–14). They will follow Christ to the end (Revelation 14:4) and protect their faith in Christ until the end (Revelation 14:12).
- What should we do in these difficult times? This is our mission, but more accurately, it is God’s mission, and the Holy Spirit will help us. Be used by God in restoring the eternal covenant people, the twelve tribes, who have been chosen according to His absolute covenant.
1) First, we ourselves must stand as the remnant in this generation. No matter what others say, those who hold firmly to the mystery of only Christ belong to the lineage of God’s covenant people.
① Who is Christ? He came in human flesh and endured every suffering, shame, and pain that humanity could experience. Through His own life and blood, He accomplished eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:12) and made us children of God (Ephesians 1:3–5). The moment we receive Christ, His eternal life dwells within us, and no one can snatch us out of His hand (John 10:28).
② The Father entrusted those who enjoy this blessing to Christ His Son. The Father has given us to Christ (John 6:37), and He Himself draws us to Christ (John 6:44).
③ The Holy Spirit protects, guides, and blesses those who have been saved. Whenever we hold to God’s Word, He reminds us of God’s promises and enables us to understand them (John 14:26). As we believe God’s Word, the Holy Spirit works powerfully (1 Thessalonians 2:13), and our lives become a testimony. Whenever we pray while holding to God’s covenant, the power of God’s heavenly throne is revealed (Revelation 8:4). Works that transcend time and space and works that are unprecedented take place. Therefore, even our smallest prayers, acts of devotion, and labors become God’s masterpieces and leave lasting spiritual monuments.
2) While enjoying these blessings, we must seek the remnant in the places where God has sent us.
① There are certainly those whom God prepared before the ages, and they will believe and be saved (Acts 13:48). They become part of the twelve tribes. Our evangelism is used by God for this purpose. It is not merely sharing the gospel, it is participating in the completion of the number of God’s eternal people.
② After that, the end of the world will come, and Christ will return. This work is connected to the end of history and God’s new time schedule. There is no greater blessing than being used in God’s history. For this reason, God turns everything into a testimony (Acts 1:8). Therefore, nothing is more important or more urgent than proclaiming the gospel and leading God’s chosen people to the Lord.
3) We must now seek the remnants throughout the whole world.
① Even if darkness grows deep, when we know the mystery of Christ, arise, and shine, nations and kings will come to that light (Isaiah 60:1–3). Our fallen future generations will return, and the wealth of the nations will come as well (Isaiah 60:4–5).
② An intense spiritual battle is taking place throughout the world, and those engaged in missions are God’s hidden card for this generation. The gospel, hidden before the ages but now revealed to us, is to be proclaimed so that all nations may believe and God’s will may be fulfilled (Romans 16:25–26).
Conclusion – We are included in the blessings of the twelve tribes, the lineage of God’s eternal covenant. Therefore, we are precious in His sight and are God’s hidden card for this age.
7.12.26 The Blessings Contained in the Covenant of the Twelve Tribes