The Levite's Concubine (Judges #19) | Dr. Ben Merkle

—

[Yesica]

I don't think I've ever seen a sermon on this passage. I don't usually struggle with the accounts of war and judgment and other such things in the OT. (At least, not as much as other people seem to.) But this account has always horrified me and baffled me. Thank you for not shying away from it. I always appreciate how you give so much background information.

[justpassingthruuu]

This is the proverbial stepping back from the trees in order to see the wood, praise God for the Light which dispels the darkness

[Jonathanped]

“Scripture commands men to create a culture of sacrifice and protection for the godly woman.” I pray I remember this comment. I pray I can create this culture in my family.

[NextDrDrew]

Love the sound of the baby in the background! The sound of young life!

[carolroberts]

Thank you for taking a disturbing and baffling portion of Scripture and illuminating its meaning and significance so that we do not discard it as unnecessary to our understanding of the Bible.

[graysonbr]

Probably one of the darkest grim stories from the Bible. In losing a gay brother to Aids years past, I often considered about sending his ashes to politicians in 2014.

[tedstarr]

Christ church been reading Gregory Dix, you love to see it

[indriadrayton]

It ends with, they did what is right in their own eyes. That sums everything up...

[darewan]

Thanks. Could it be what appears insignificant distractions in the story of the wayward Levite are parables of the condition of Israel's spiritual guides?

The Levite is easily influenced and impressed upon by his surroundings- father in-law. Just as the Levites in general are "Canaanized".
The heartless way the Levite treats his concubine a picture of the Levitical class unfeeling nature towards the spiritual care of Israel.
Just thinking, thanks.

[sharonhennessy]

Why was this story told? Because God knew many women, young girls and even young boys would go through this horror.(maybe not to the cutting up). It's not just a story it happens. God sees all and hears all. Those who have been through such terror take comfort your voice has been heard. You can overcome and be made whole. Jesus lived died and resurrected so you would not have to live with the burden which was not yours carry. The story and what you may have endured tells not so much about you but about the perpetrators that they would do such an evil thing to you. Don't be ashamed don't feel guilty; No longer be confounded it was not you. Arise shine and live again and do not be silent!!

[werkzeugmann]

Congratulations reading such a completely degenerate passage! More churches need to read the bible to their congregations; not interpret it one passage here and one passage there, one passage at a time... The bible in context as a story is how evangelicals should be lead. These days there are Too many "feel-good" evangelicals pumped-up by out-of-context passages from popular evangelical movies books and preachers..