When Men (and Women) Do Only What is Right In Their Own Eyes.

Today, I read the horrible story of the concubine in Judges 19. The chapter begins by stating, "There was no king in Israel." Countless times throughout Judges it recalls how the people were choosing to do what was right in their own eyes. I believe this account of the concubine is an extremely vivid example of the consequences that come from the choice of going our own way instead of doing what is right in God's eyes. 

I did a little bit of research today trying to understand the story a little bit better because, frankly, it broke my heart. 

Who were concubines? Concubines were women that had a relationship with a man who was normally married. Think mistress, but generally was more accepted by the man's wife. They played more of a servant type of role to the man. 

 In chapter 19, a Levite took for himself a concubine from Bethlehem while sojourning in Ephraim. She was unfaithful to him, and fled to her father's house back in Bethlehem. He pursued her and went to speak kindly to her. Some think he may have caused her to flee by getting angry after she was unfaithful. Her father was so happy to meet the Levite that he persuaded him to stay 5 days! Finally, the Levite took his concubine, his servant, and two donkeys and left the concubine's fathers house.  They passed by Jerusalem and decided to spend the night in Gibeah. They have no place to stay, till they run into an old man coming in from working the fields and he invites them to stay with him at his home. 

Then worthless men of the city surround the house, beating on the door, asking for the old man to give them the Levite so they can "have their way with him." 

Does this not remind you of a similar story? How about the story of Lot and his angelic visitors? This story almost exactly parallels that one. 

So, here is what happened:

The old man answers the worthless men of the city, “No, my brothers, do not act so wickedly; since this man has come into my house, do not do this vile thing. Behold, here are my virgin daughter and his concubine. Let me bring them out now. Violate them and do with them what seems good to you, but against this man do not do this outrageous thing.” But the men would not listen to him. So the man (the Levite) seized his concubine and made her go out to them. And they knew her and abused her all night until the morning.

Because everyone did what was right in their own eyes, it was wicked for the worthless men to have their way with the old man's visitor, but it was not wicked for them to do what they did to the concubine? 

I just want to pause and cry! This girl was not of a most moral sort by any means, she had made herself a sex slave of sorts to men. But without God, men (and women) are only going to pursue wickedness. In a world where God is pushed aside and people go about trying to live without him, women tend to get abused and mistreated. We see it in this city and we see it today in our world. This is why a healthy, God centered, marriage relationship is so important! This is why God stressed that we follow Him! It is only then that wickedness is avoided and women are treated with respect and dignity, and love! 

Unfortunately, the story does not end here for this concubine. She was abused so horribly by the worthless men that she died. Her master took her and went home and then cut her in 12 pieces and sent her piece by piece throughout all of Israel. 

The world we live in today wants nothing to do with God and we can see the affects of that decision by turning on the news each day. Women all over this world are treated as objects by men, abused, raped, and killed. 

We need to do everything we can to support our husbands and encourage them to be Godly men! We need to raise our children to live lives where they desire only to follow God! How do we do this? By being women who do that which is right in God's eyes!