SCRIPTURE: Judges 19
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
WARNING – DISTURBING CONTENT!!!
Look, here is my virgin daughter, and his concubine. I will bring them out to you now, and you can use them and do to them whatever you wish. But to this man, don’t do such a disgraceful thing. [Judges 19:24]
The last three chapters of Judges are extremely disturbing, and need to be understood in their biblical context to appreciate the message.
Why is this story recorded?
Why does God record the horrible behaviours of the old man, the Levite, and the men of Gibeah.
How can they offer the virgin daughter and the concubine, as if that wasn’t “such a disgraceful thing”?
This story is recorded as an illustration of how bad things turned in Israel after Joshua died.
It compares with the story of Sodom and Gomorrah [Genesis 19:24], and is recorded to show God’s growing anger and judgment against His chosen people.
As the beginning of the book predicted, they became as bad as the people of the land they did not remove.
This story shows us what happens to a society when its people reject God and His ways.
There is an increase in corruption, violence and perversity, and eventually leads to civil war.
Jesus picks up on this when He warns His followers about being rejected as messengers of the kingdom of God.
If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. [Matthew 10:14-15]
To reject God and His kingdom is to inherit judgment.
Sodom and Gomorrah is again a pattern for what happens when people reject God.
What do we see today?
Spend some time on the internet, or reading the paper, and you will see this increase in corruption, violence and perversity.
I can understand why people have rejected Christianity and the church – they have often been as bad as the people of Gibeah.
But by rejecting God and Jesus, what has come in its place?
Is the world better, when people choose to live their own way?
I believe God records these stories to show us how desperately we need Him, and His help.
If we open our eyes, we will see that this story is being played out across the world, in many homes, villages and countries.
God have mercy!
PRAYER:
Lord, this world is a mess, and the mess is in me too. Help us to take sin, and our need for help, seriously!
This chapter shows the wickedness of man. How low will men go?
Today, Satan still tempts the people of the world. Just look at the newspapers -they follow the desires of their own hearts – doing what is right in their own eyes and not the way of the Lord. At all times I need to avoid, resist, escape from the temptations of the world and walk in His SonLight. I need Him every hour.
I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.
Refrain
I need Thee, O I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
O bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.
I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their power when Thou art nigh.
Refrain
I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide, or life is in vain.
Refrain
I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises in me fulfill.
Refrain
I need Thee every hour, most Holy One;
O make me Thine indeed, Thou blessèd Son.
Refrain