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THE MEN WHO FAILED GOD (VI)
FRIDAY, MARCH 3
Judges 19:10-21

Deuteronomy 12:10-19

 

“…forsake not the Levite

as long as thou livest…”

 

THE MEN WHO FAILED GOD (VI)
 
The Levite, his concubine and their servant set out for home at a late hour. He heeded the invitation of his concubine’s father to eat and drink, but did not consider the lateness of time as “the day draweth toward evening” (Judg 19:9). They set off on a day’s journey that they could not complete by the end of the day. He was adamant to leave even though it was late.
 
“…the servant said…let us turn in into this city of the Jebusites, and lodge in it” (Judg 19:11). The Levite’s attention was brought to the lateness of the hour again by his servant. The servant’s concern of the approach of night comes with a suggestion to seek refuge in the city of the Jebusites. Just as his concubine’s father’s suggestion was refused, the servant’s suggestion too was refused. The Levite’s basis was that it was not a city of Israel and thus they pressed on to Gibeah where they sat down in the streets within the city for the night. No hospitality seemed forthcoming from the inhabitants of the city until an old man entered the city at even.
 
“…I am now going to the house of the LORD; and there is no man that receiveth me to house” (Judg 19:18). The Levite’s answer to the old man was very telling. In his answer, he not only told where he was from, and where he was going, but also that he was a Levite “going to the house of the LORD.” But in all this he was careful to avoid the reason that took him to Bethlehemjudah. This coupled with his last phrase was probably aimed at securing a welcome and inviting hospitality. In this, he both recognised and used the respectability of the Levitical office because they were in need of lodging, yet his life’s conduct did not promote the value and dignity of the Levitical office. When convenient for him, based on his assessment of the circumstances he found himself in, he talked about going to the house of the LORD in order to present a false sense of holiness, which he ought to have cultivated in his life. Yet this high call and office did not seem to be considered in his daily life. Here is hypocrisy, instead of holiness.
 
THOUGHT: Hypocrisy projects a picture that is not consistent with one’s life.

PRAYER: “I would be true, for there are those who trust me.”

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