One of my best friends in the whole wide world (who happens to be an atheist/agnostic – we even debate the appropriate tag for him) asked me late last week about the relevance of Judges 19. He suggested that it adds nothing of any significance to the scripture, historical record, or served no sociological/ethical purpose or lesson that needed to be learned.
I quickly reread Judges 19 while he paced in my office, and I then began explaining the symbolism of the coming dispersion as the result of Israel playing the harlot, yada, yada, yada. I was fairly sure I was correct in my on-the-fly interpretation, but I asked for time to study it out more.
Later that evening, I came across a reference to Hosea 9:9, “They have sunk deep into corruption as in the days of Gibeah.” So, I scimmed Hosea and was confident it was key understanding Judges 19. I texted him back, “You need to read Hosea to fully understand Judges 19.”
The next morning, during a phone call about other business, he mentioned to me that he had read Hosea, but that he was less interested in understanding a perceived internal explanation, and, rather, more interested in understanding its cultural and/or sociological significance and cross-cultural applications.
I explained the significance is in the repeating of history, from the individual account, to how it is replayed in the history of Israel, and, ultimately, to how it will play out spiritually in the Church at large.
This is obviously an abbreviated version of what has transpired over several days, but it has been a while since my friend and I have discussed anything Biblical so I’m excited. At the very least, he’s reading the Bible, and I firmly believe:
…the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Heb 4:12)
I’m also convinced that the book of Habbakuk is important to the discussion, although I haven’t quite put my finger on the exact connection yet. I know Judges 19 is tough, and I have not been completely satisfied with any other teachings I have come across on the subject. Do any of you have any thoughts on the matter?
#1 by Mamasaid on February 12, 2009 - 12:16 pm
I think it’s great you have your atheist/agnostic friend reading the Bible and thinking about the Word. I have a friend who is agnostic and I try to get him to read the Bible. The other day he emailed me and wrote “god” instead of “good” – subconscious slip? No matter how you get them to think of God, it’s good.
#2 by petermlopez on February 12, 2009 - 12:24 pm
I agree. If you get enough of God’s Word, you can’t help but be changed.
#3 by GraceandTruth on June 6, 2009 - 7:53 pm
Judges 19 is a pretty simple one for me. The first verse states the subject of the chapter. Every man is doing what they think is right because God is not acknowledged as King. The Levite seeks safety among the people of Israel but finds none. He then mutilates the body of his dead concubine and sends it to the 12 tribes of Israel to show what the people of Gibeah had done. There are some valuable lessons typified by this chapter. First, we see that that religion, represented by the Levite, when divested of God’s leadership is cruel at best. Secondly, we see that people are not inherently good or moral as many would claim. Without God’s leadership the people of Gibeah are depraved and dangerous. I think your friend will agree that these are lessons that easily cross all cultural lines.
#4 by petermlopez on June 8, 2009 - 9:10 am
Thanks, I appreciate your insight. You’ve given me something to think about.