How do we respond to sin and injustice?
The book of Judges is a constant cycle of the Israelites falling into idolatry and sin and turning their back on God, followed by oppression because of their disobedience, crying out to God for deliverance and God raising up judges to save and deliver them. It is the story of God’s faithfulness to an incredibly unfaithful people.
However one thing that stands out to me in the book of Judges is the story of the Levite’s concubine. He is in a foreign town and the men gather around want to have sex with him. It sounds like a pretty intense situation and he saves his own skin by giving them his concubine. The men gang rape her all night and she is left dead on the door step of his guest house.
When I was reading this story I had to remind myself this was a real woman. There are women who similar things happen to every day NOW. Women and children are often the most vulnerable members of a society. South Africa has a horrific rate of rape. The statistics estimate 1 out of 2 girls first sexual experience is forced. As believers how do we respond to this?
How do we respond to women and children who have been abused, raped, beaten, violated and abandoned?
How do we deal with people who have committed these crimes?
I don’t have any good answers right now but I know God has something to say about it. This is something I need to continue to think about and I hope that God’s answers unfold as we continue to study his word.
Psalm 103:6 – the Lord works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed
Comment by sarahmurphy
February 24, 2010 @ 3:13 pm
The more I think about this the more I think the solution to such horrific injustice is for believers to teach their children and to show them what it looks like to love God and follow in his ways. A generation loses perspective when they are not taught the ways of God and start to do whatever is right in their own eyes.
What one generation tolerates the next generation will embrace.