"And when he had lifted up his eyes, he saw a wayfaring man in the street of the city: and the old man said, Whither goest thou? and whence comest thou?"
Historical Context:The book of Judges is set during a tumultuous period in Israel’s history when they were ruled by judges, who were charismatic leaders raised up by God to deliver the Israelites from oppression. This particular chapter recounts a tragic incident that occurred during the time of the judges when there was no king in Israel, and “everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25).
Summary of the Chapter:
- Judges 19 tells the story of a Levite and his concubine. The Levite was traveling with his concubine and servant and stopped in the city of Gibeah, which was populated by the tribe of Benjamin.
- They arrived late in the day and decided to spend the night in the open square of the city. An old man from the city took them into his house, showing them hospitality.
- As they were enjoying their meal, certain wicked men of the city surrounded the house and demanded to have sexual relations with the Levite. The old man tried to reason with them, but they persisted.
- Fearing for the safety of his concubine, the Levite pushed her out to the men, who abused and raped her throughout the night. She died as a result of the abuse.
- The next morning, the Levite discovered his concubine’s lifeless body at the doorstep. He then took her body back to his home, cut it into twelve pieces, and sent a piece to each of the tribes of Israel, which sparked outrage and led to a civil war against the tribe of Benjamin.
Analysis and Application:
- The verse in question (Judges 19:17) introduces the arrival of a wayfaring man in the city where the Levite, his concubine, and servant were staying. The old man from the city inquires about the traveler’s destination and origin.
- This verse serves as a transitional moment in the narrative, setting the stage for the events that follow. It emphasizes the hospitality of the old man and his willingness to engage with strangers.
- Lessons from this passage include the importance of showing kindness to travelers and strangers. The actions of the old man can be seen as a positive example of hospitality, which is encouraged throughout the Bible (Hebrews 13:2).
- Additionally, this passage highlights the prevailing moral decay and lawlessness in the society during that time. The wickedness and violence depicted in Judges 19 reflect the spiritual decline of Israel and the need for righteous leadership.
Overall Theme:The overall theme of Judges 19 is the consequences of moral corruption and the absence of godly leadership. It serves as a stark reminder of the need for righteous governance and adherence to God’s laws.
Remember, when studying the Bible, it’s important to consider the broader context, consult commentaries, and cross-reference related passages to gain a deeper understanding of the text.
