Warning: You may find the following scripture to be upsetting. Please use your best judgment if you want to continue reading.

While they were enjoying themselves, the men of the city, a perverse lot, surrounded the house, and started pounding on the door. They said to the old man, the master of the house, "Bring out the man who came into your house, so that we may have intercourse with him." And the man, the master of the house, went out to them and said to them, "No, my brothers, do not act so wickedly. Since this man is my guest, do not do this vile thing. Here are my virgin daughter and his concubine; let me bring them out now. Ravish them and do whatever you want to them; but against this man do not do such a vile thing. " But the men would not listen to him. So the man seized his concubine, and put her out to them. They wantonly raped her, and abused her all through the night until the morning. And as the dawn began to break, they let her go. As morning appeared, the woman came and fell down at the door of the man's house where her master was, until it was light. Judges 19: 22-26 NRSV

Where do you jump into a scripture such as this?

Obviously, the old man was trying to prevent something like this from happening by welcoming the Levite and his companions into his home. What is going on when the so-called people of God are not only wanting to do perverted acts in a group setting but to a stranger who is also a Levite? That doesn't even begin to touch on the fact that the old man is willing for the women (second class citizens) to be abused instead. Or that the Levite chooses to give them his concubine to save his own skin.

Ugh. The whole situation is just one perverted happening after another. The message is that things are far more desperate and God-forsaken than we previously believed.

I pray that your life is not in that same place at this time.

God, I personally know of several people who are just in such a bad situation as told in this scripture. I pray for true liberation and hope for them from you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Question of the day: What will you do with the emotions this scripture brings up in you?

Copyright 2009 Amelia G. Sims