Judges: When Our Heroes Aren't Enough (5)

Judges 19:22–30 ESV

22 As they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, worthless fellows, surrounded the house, beating on the door. And they said to the old man, the master of the house, “Bring out the man who came into your house, that we may know him.” 23 And the man, the master of the house, went out to them and said to them, “No, my brothers, do not act so wickedly; since this man has come into my house, do not do this vile thing. 24 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.” 25 But the men would not listen to him. So the man seized his concubine and made her go out to them. And they knew her and abused her all night until the morning. And as the dawn began to break, they let her go. 26 And as morning appeared, the woman came and fell down at the door of the man’s house where her master was, until it was light. 27 And her master rose up in the morning, and when he opened the doors of the house and went out to go on his way, behold, there was his concubine lying at the door of the house, with her hands on the threshold. 28 He said to her, “Get up, let us be going.” But there was no answer. Then he put her on the donkey, and the man rose up and went away to his home. 29 And when he entered his house, he took a knife, and taking hold of his concubine he divided her, limb by limb, into twelve pieces, and sent her throughout all the territory of Israel. 30 And all who saw it said, “Such a thing has never happened or been seen from the day that the people of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt until this day; consider it, take counsel, and speak.”

Introduction:

Be shocked by the depths of human depravity.

Worthless - Someone who shows a profound lack of respect for God and others.

It is the same word used to describe Nabal - was described as worthless (1 sam 25)

Eli’s sons Hophni and Phinehas and were described in this way. 1 Sam 2

This story is meant to take your breath away. It is meant to leave you without words. It is one of those stories that you read and just your head in your hands.

This story is unconscionable.

What you see in this story reads like a sin list.

Drunkenness, homosexuality, violence, gang rape & abuse, murder, dismemberment, indifference.

Homosexuality

Objectification of women

Rap

Abuse

Murder

What type of people would practice such unspeakable sin?

I think of ISIS - I think of the Talaban

Who does this?

Hittler?, Stalin,

Surly this is the Amorits, Amalicites, this is the Canninites?

Judges 19:10–15 ESV

10 But the man would not spend the night. He rose up and departed and arrived opposite Jebus (that is, Jerusalem). He had with him a couple of saddled donkeys, and his concubine was with him. 11 When they were near Jebus, the day was nearly over, and the servant said to his master, “Come now, let us turn aside to this city of the Jebusites and spend the night in it.” 12 And his master said to him, “We will not turn aside into the city of foreigners, who do not belong to the people of Israel, but we will pass on to Gibeah.” 13 And he said to his young man, “Come and let us draw near to one of these places and spend the night at Gibeah or at Ramah.” 14 So they passed on and went their way. And the sun went down on them near Gibeah, which belongs to Benjamin, 15 and they turned aside there, to go in and spend the night at Gibeah. And he went in and sat down in the open square of the city, for no one took them into his house to spend the night.

This sin was perpetrated by the Israelites.

Another important thing we must ask from this story is where is God?

In this ruthless barbaric sadistic event where is the God of Israel?

God had been dismissed by the people and therefore

When we don’t want God running our lives, running our homes, running our nation -

Where are the men?

A Godly man protects the vulnerable.

A godless man preys on them.

A Godly man cares for the broken.

A godless man breaks them further.

When man runs things his way he ruins everything.

We need men!

Not worthless men

Not Wicked men

Righteous Men!

Men who protect women not subject them.

Where are the men of God who will lead your homes and love your wives.

Where are the men who protect our families from the moral and spiritual chaos in our culture that seeks to destroy her.

Where are the men who will serve our church faithfully. Not being a spectator at a sporting event.

Where are the men who will bring their lives and their homes under the Lordship of Jesus Christ?

Where are you man of God?