“And I took my concubine, and cut her in pieces, and sent her throughout all the country of the inheritance of Israel: for they have committed lewdness and folly in Israel.”
Context:Judges 20:6 is part of a larger narrative that describes the events leading up to the civil war between the tribe of Benjamin and the other tribes of Israel. The incident involving the Levite’s concubine and the subsequent battle is recorded in Judges 19-21.
Explanation:In this verse, the speaker is an unidentified Levite who had taken his concubine and later cut her body into pieces. The primary purpose behind this horrific act was to bring attention to the wickedness that had occurred in Gibeah, a city within the tribe of Benjamin.
To fully understand this verse, it is important to examine the events leading up to it. In Judges 19, the Levite was traveling with his concubine and sought shelter for the night in Gibeah. However, the men of the city, influenced by wickedness, surrounded the house and demanded that the Levite be brought out so they could engage in homosexual acts with him. The Levite, desperate to protect himself, sent his concubine out to them, and she was horrifically abused and raped throughout the night, eventually dying at the doorstep of the house.
The Levite’s response to this tragedy was to cut her body into twelve pieces and send them to each tribe in Israel, symbolizing the abominable act committed in Gibeah. By doing so, he sought to rally the other tribes and demand justice against the men of Benjamin, who had refused to deliver the perpetrators of this crime.
Lessons and Application:
- The consequences of sin:This passage highlights the devastating consequences of sin and the depths of depravity that human beings can sink to when they abandon God’s moral standards. It serves as a reminder of the need for righteousness and the destructive power of unchecked wickedness.
- Seeking justice:The Levite’s action of sending the dismembered body parts throughout the land was a way of exposing the wickedness that had taken place and calling for justice. It demonstrates the importance of standing up against injustice and seeking redress for wrongs committed.
- The importance of community and unity:The incident in Judges 19-21 also reveals the significance of community and unity among God’s people. The other tribes responded to the Levite’s call for justice, and together they confronted the tribe of Benjamin. This unity in pursuing righteousness is a powerful reminder of the strength that comes from standing together against evil.
- The need for moral discernment:This passage shows the need for moral discernment and adherence to God’s commandments. The actions of the people of Gibeah were a stark departure from God’s laws, leading to unimaginable tragedy. It serves as a warning against allowing moral relativism and cultural influences to blur the lines of right and wrong.
It is important to note that while this passage is part of the Bible’s historical account, it does not necessarily imply that God condoned or commanded the specific actions taken by the Levite. Instead, it provides insight into the moral decay and the consequences of such behavior that existed during that time period.
