The first words recorded from Jesus’ mouth after He was nailed to the cross were for the Father’s forgiveness rather than the Father’s revenge (Lk 23:33-37). JC Ryle wrote, As soon as the blood of the Great Sacrifice began to flow, the Great High Priest began to intercede. It’s in what happened at the cross that we have the best image of the character of God: His faithfulness, determination to save, mercy, justice, grace, power, and love.

I. Day One (Judg 20:17-21). The 11 tribes of Israel were prepared to attack and destroy Benjamin and the city of Gibeah, but God is not moved by appearances or numbers. The Sovereign Lord would have His way, not Israel nor Benjamin.
Israel superstitiously moved the tabernacle to Bethel to manipulate God for their political purposes. Remember, the nation is doing what is right in its own eyes. Rather than ask the Lord how to proceed, lots were cast to determine which tribe “God” would have attack Benjamin. The lot indicated Judah go to war first (Judg 20:18), just as Judah was to conquer territory in Canaan first (Judg 1:1-2). He gave the nation up to their own desires (Rom 1:24, 26, 28). Their anticipated quick victory resulted in 22,000 Judahites dead (Judg 20:21).

II. Day Two (Judg 20:22-25). On the second day, Israel encouraged themselves (Judg 20:22), but this time weeping before Jehovah long into the night (Judg 20:23). Again, God told Israel to attack, and the following morning another 18,000 Israelite soldiers died in battle (Judg 20:23-25).
God was at work disciplining the 11 tribes. The men of Gibeah were guilty of sin, but Gibeah was no different from the rest of the nation. Everyone was doing what seemed right in their own eyes. It was so easy to see and be outraged by the sin in Gibeah without ever looking in the mirror at themselves.

III. Day Three (Judg 20:26-48). For a third time, Israel returned to the tent of meeting, but instead of praying to “God”, the petitioned the Lord (YHWH, Jehovah) with weeping, fasting, and sacrifices (Judg 20:26-27). The commotion of emotion finally became devotion. This time their repentance was genuine (Heb 12:5-17). Emotionalism and being “sorry” don’t determine repentance. Genuine repentance is not because we’re caught or experience consequences of sin; it’s sorrow at offending God.
The chapter began with Israel determined to bring vengeance upon Benjamin, but now God promised to deliver them into your hand (Judg 20:28). God’s vengeance is perfect and He would repay (Lev 19:18; Deut 32:35). This time the nation inquired of the Lord through the righteous high priest, Israel’s mediator Phinehas (Judg 20:28; Num 25:6-7) and the Lord said He would strike and defeat Benjamin (Judg 20:35).
God’s ultimate wrath against sinners and their sin is future (Rom 2:5; 1 Thess 1:10; 5:2-3; Rev 6:16-17; 16:1; 20:10-15), but sometimes He judges in this world and life directly, by providence, and natural disaster (Num 16:32-34; Deut 11:17; Acts 5:1-11; 13:8-12; Rom 1:24-26; 13:1-4). Often He judges by allowing sin to consume the sinner (Rom 1:18-32).
At the cross, Jesus prayed for the Father’s forgiveness of those who did Him evil by crucifying Him. When we pursue revenge, we are rejecting the cross from which forgiveness flows from the faithful and merciful God (Ps 94:1-3, 12-15).