The bookends of the book of Judges

The start of the Book of Judges hold so much promise. Israel was making serious headway in the Promised Land.

Notice how the book if Judges opens.

"After the death of Joshua, the people of Israel inquired of the LORD, "Who shall go up first for us against the Canaanites, to fight against them? The LORD said "Judah shall go up; behold, I have given the land into his hand." (Judges 1:1-2)

Towards the end of the book, the LORD again calls Judah. But to attack one of Israel's own.

"The people of Israel arose and went up to Bethel and inquired of God, "Who shall go up first for us to fight against the people of Benjamin?" And the LORD said, "Judah shall go up first." (Judah 20:18)

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