“And he said unto him, We are passing from Bethlehemjudah toward the side of mount Ephraim; from thence am I: and I went to Bethlehemjudah, but I am now going to the house of the LORD; and there is no man that receiveth me to house.”
This verse is found within the context of a troubling story in the book of Judges, specifically in chapter 19. The chapter recounts a gruesome incident known as the “Gibeah’s Crime” or “Levite’s Concubine.” To understand the significance of Judges 19:18, it’s essential to explore the broader narrative.
The story begins with a Levite traveling with his concubine from Bethlehemjudah to his home in the hill country of Ephraim. They make a stop in Gibeah, a city belonging to the tribe of Benjamin. However, they are unable to find hospitality there, as no one welcomes them into their home.
The verse in question, Judges 19:18:highlights the Levite’s encounter with an elderly man to whom he explains his situation. The Levite informs him that they are journeying from Bethlehemjudah to the house of the LORD, implying that they seek a place to stay near a sanctuary. However, he laments that no one has offered them lodging.
This verse reveals the dire lack of hospitality shown by the inhabitants of Gibeah, which becomes a recurring theme throughout this narrative. The prevailing culture of the time placed significant emphasis on the virtue of hospitality:considering it a sacred duty to provide shelter, food, and care to travelers and sojourners. Yet, in this instance, the Levite and his concubine are left without assistance or refuge.
The story continues with the Levite and his concubine finally finding shelter with an old man in Gibeah. Unfortunately, a wicked mob surrounds the house, demanding that the Levite be handed over to them for their immoral desires. In a shocking turn of events, the old man offers the concubine to the mob, who brutally abuse and rape her throughout the night. The concubine tragically dies as a result of the abuse.
Judges 19:18 serves as an introduction to the narrative, highlighting the lack of hospitality and the moral decline within the society of Gibeah. The subsequent events in the story further underscore the depravity and corruption prevalent during that time, leading to grave consequences.
This account in Judges serves as a reminder of the importance of hospitality:compassion:and justice:It exposes the dire consequences of a society that abandons these virtues and descends into immorality. Additionally, this chapter in Judges sets the stage for the need for righteous leadership and the establishment of proper order in the nation of Israel, which ultimately unfolds in subsequent chapters.
