So the congregation sent twelve-thousand soldiers there and commanded them, "Go, put the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead to the sword, including the women and the little ones. This is what you shall do; every male and every woman that has lain with a male you shall devote to destruction." And they found among the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead four hundred young virgins who had never slept with a man and brought them to the camp at Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan. Judges 21: 10-12 NRSV
What a solution! This is kind of like weeding out the church of people who either don't believe a certain way or do things against the leadership. Let us get rid of them unless they are uncorrupted and can be brought over to our point of view! That way we don't have to really deal with the problem, we can just cover it up.
I also think this is what can happen when we merge two different churches together. It is not always the best solution to the problem and can actually lead to further sins and problems. You get rid of the obvious (sins, disobedience, lack of following the Law) by strategic cover-up (grief, loss, power-struggle) rather than repentence (mentoring, teaching, turning around).
Thank you, God, for Jesus who keeps us from acting on violent impulses. May we learn to change, grow and empower rather than simply cover up our problems. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Question of the day: What are you trying to cover-up in your life or church?
Copyright 2009 Amelia G. Sims
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