Judges 19:1-21:25
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Today’s readings in Judges 19 about the Levite’s concubine being raped and killed really made me tear up today. What a sad story! The evil of the act led to tens of thousands of men dying in battle in chapter 20. Notice the similarities between Judges chapter 19 and Genesis chapter 19? In Genesis chapter 19 two angels arrived in Sodom in the evening and they planned to spend the night in the town square. But Lot insisted they go with him and spend the night at his house. Then, in the middle of the night the men of Sodom came to Lot’s house to have sex with the two angels. Lot offered his two virgin daughters instead… see the unfortunate similarities? Social protocol of the time – protecting a house guest at any cost – unfortunately carried more authority in Judges chapter 19 than God’s law and moral convictions. Obviously this is an extreme case in Judges chapter 19…. yet, is it possible that in today’s world social protocol of our time can sometimes carry more authority than moral convictions? Will we stand tall today and protect someone when this is the case? We will stand up for moral convictions over social protocol today? An image is below for Judges chapter 19 verses 16 & 17 – “That evening an old man came home from his work in the fields. He was from the hill country of Ephraim, but he was living in Gibeah in the territory of Benjamin. When he saw the travelers sitting in the town square, he asked them where they were from and where they were going.”
And another image is below for Judges chapter 20 verses 4 through 7 – “The Levite, the husband of the woman who had been murdered, said, “My concubine and I came to Gibeah, a town in the land of Benjamin, to spend the night. That night some of the leaders of Gibeah surrounded the house, planning to kill me, and they raped my concubine until she was dead. So I cut her body into twelve pieces and sent the pieces throughout the land of Israel, for these men have committed this terrible and shameful crime. Now then, the entire community of Israel must decide what should be done about this!””
Today we finish the book of Judges! What a powerful and telling verse the book closes with in chapter 21 verse 25: “In those days Israel had no king, so the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.” Unfortunately, so true then. And perhaps so true for us today if we don’t have a king. Fortunately, we do have the opportunity to have a king – through faith in Jesus. Otherwise, without Jesus as our king, we will surely do whatever seems right in our own eyes. I know I did for many years… sad years they were. Is Jesus your King?
An image is below for verse 23 – “So the men of Benjamin did as they were told. They kidnapped the women who took part in the celebration and carried them off to the land of their own inheritance. Then they rebuilt their towns and lived in them.”
Worship Video: Today’s readings in Judges reminded me of the song “Savior Please” by Josh Wilson:
Do you have a savior? Click here and be Saved!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.” Judges 21:25 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray that Jesus is your King. Pray that you will do as Jesus sees fit in His holy eyes.
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
God bless,
Mike
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