Judges 19

When people do what is right in their own eyes without any sense of the reign of God as King, societies decline. Nations (and churches) do not fare well when everyone is king but the Lord.

The conclusion of Judges comes in this revolting story that takes up the final three chapters of the book. Here we read of the murder and mutilation of a woman. Here we take in the gruesome story of the publication of her death through her own flesh and blood sent in pieces to the twelve tribes of Israel.

Even in a time of decline, a shadow of better days may remain in a society. In this account of a Levite and his concubine, there remain some old standards of hospitality and marital faithfulness, but debauchery is always close at hand.

I am looking for a land where there is no sin. I want to live in a place where people are full of the Holy Spirit, rather than imagining that it is only through drinking alcohol that they can be social and happy. I am seeking a place where every town is safe, and where every new friend is holy.

Israel at the end of Judges was not thar place. In particular, Gibeah in the territory of Benjamin, had become a very dangerous city for a stranger to spend the night.

Where Christ is not honored as King in truth, wives and daughters will never feel protected and loved. Our Husband is the King of heaven. He has won a safe home for His beloved bride at great cost to Himself. He would never offer up His church to evil men in order to keep Himself safe.

When Jesus saw the danger of the wrath of God and the host of hell coming toward His bride, He stood in the way of trouble and faced the penalty that we deserved. In the land where He reigns as King, there is no remaining penalty from the demands of divine justice. All the righteousness that God requires of us has been provided by our Husband. All our guilt has been payed for with His blood.

Israel should have been a beacon of the light of heaven to the world. But too many people there wanted to do what was right in their own eyes. Before many decades had passed the true way of the Lord was only a memory. I am looking for a better homeland than that.

Even now in this age that is passing away, the good news goes forth to the world. In the church where Christ is King and Husband a clear message is published every Sunday from the King's table. That message is not one of despair told in the mutilated parts of a dead woman. It is the story of the victory of heavenly love written in bread that stands for the body of Jesus and a cup that stands for His blood. As we partake of this meal by faith, our good King is present with us, and we somehow participate in a world where the Christian hope is a present reality.