The Levite and his concubine

Judges Chapter 19

Israel had no king in those days and a man from the tribe of Levi lived in a remote area of Ephraim. One day he brought home a woman from Bethlehem in Judah to be his concubine. But she was unfaithful and returned to her father's house. After four months, her husband took a servant and an extra donkey and persuaded her to come back. While at her father's house the man stayed three days, eating, drinking and sleeping there.

On the fourth day the man got up early to leave but the woman's father urged him to stay and this happened on the fifth day also. Finally the man was determined to leave and took his donkeys and his concubine and headed in the direction of Jebus (Jerusalem) where his servant tried to talk him into staying the night.But he refused to stay in a city where there were no other Israelites, so they went on to Gibeah and rested in the town square because nobody offered to take them in for the night.

That evening an old man came home from work in the fields and saw the travelers in the town square. He asked where they were going and the man told him to Ephraim and they were going to the Tabernacle of the Lord, but nobody had taken them in for the night even though they had straw and fodder for their animals and bread and wine to eat. The old man offered to have them stay with him, and urged them to not stay in the town square. So he took them home and they washed their feet and supped with him.

While they were enjoying themselves, wicked men from town surrounded the door and asked for the stranger to come out and have sex with them. The old man stepped outside to talk to them and told them to not do an evil thing. Instead, he offered his virgin daughter and the man's concubine. They would not listen to the old man. Then the Levite took his concubine and pushed her out the door where the men of the town abused and raped her until morning, then let her go. She collapsed at the door of the house where her husband stayed.

When her husband opened the door to leave, he found her. She did not answer when he told her to get up, so he put her body on his donkey and went home. He cut her body in twelve pieces and sent one piece to each tribe of Israel. Everyone who saw it said, "Such a horrible crime has not been committed since Israel left Egypt. Shouldn't we speak up and do something about this?"

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: there is a significance to this tragic story. When the Israelite's faith in God disintegrated, their unity as a nation also disintegrated. They lost their purpose and the people did as they saw fit in their own eyes.
Having concubines was an accepted part of Israelite society, though this was not what God intended. A concubine was legally attached to her husband, but her children did not have inheritance rights.
The hospitality of the Middle East was strong and it was common to protect a guest at any cost. But in this case the hospitality code turned to fanaticism. The rape and abuse of a daughter became preferable to a conflict between guest and neighbor. They deliberately disobeyed God' law.
Spreading the news of a crime of horror was effective by the man. This man was just as guilty of the crime as those who killed her, but he wanted the world to know.

How does this chapter relate to us today? This chapter serves a a lesson in how far the people had gone from God and his word. It shows how evil follows. Our drifting away from God in our time, can happen gradually, but the ultimate effects to future generations are there. We must work extra hard to establish God's moral and spiritual reign. It is up to us. Every one of us can make a difference. Start with your children.

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH: Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents, Arlene’s nephew David, Lori (who suffered a terrible accident)and her family. Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke. Al who is dying.Update on Stella: Her parents now face difficult decisions based upon her non response to the lung treatments. They need your prayers so badly. Let’s all raise our voices to God to hear our prayers.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, those who need jobs, those who are about to lose or have lost their homes. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.