"Now the people went to Bethel and sat in the presence of God until evening, weeping loudly and bitterly. O LORD God of Israel, "they cried out, "why has this happened to Israel? Now one of our tribes is missing." (Judges 21:2-3)
The grief of the Israelites pulls on my heartstrings. You can hear the anguish and despair in their cries. The losing of family is devastating whether it be to war, natural or unnatural causes.
I have lost family members to natural and unnatural causes but not war. The Israelites, under the LORD's leadership had the blood of the tribe of Benjamin on their hands. How tragic.
Dealing with grief is something everyone has to deal at one time or another in their life. This passage deals specifically with the grief and physical death. But many things in our lives can cause grief: the loss of a job, a relationship gone bad, a lost or forgotten dream, an unmet expectation. Webster defines grief as keen mental suffering or distress over affliction or loss; sharp sorrow; painful regret.
Today's reading made me very sad from the very beginning. I did not understand the death of the concubine then the outbreak of civil took my breath away. However, God is faithful. He did show me several applicable points in dealing with grief. The truths apply to all grief. If you are experiencing keen mental suffering or distress, loss, or have sharp sorrow or painful regret these truths will carry you to peace:
Dealing with grief is something everyone has to deal at one time or another in their life. This passage deals specifically with the grief and physical death. But many things in our lives can cause grief: the loss of a job, a relationship gone bad, a lost or forgotten dream, an unmet expectation. Webster defines grief as keen mental suffering or distress over affliction or loss; sharp sorrow; painful regret.
Today's reading made me very sad from the very beginning. I did not understand the death of the concubine then the outbreak of civil took my breath away. However, God is faithful. He did show me several applicable points in dealing with grief. The truths apply to all grief. If you are experiencing keen mental suffering or distress, loss, or have sharp sorrow or painful regret these truths will carry you to peace:
- Put yourself in the presence of the Lord.
- Sit with Him for awhile.
- Weep with Him, bitterly if you have to.
- It is OK to question God.
20 Comments:
That's a great, succinct way to sum it up. Sit in His presence...oh amen! And He is a Daddy who welcomes our honest questions. :)
How's that puppy!?!?
Wendy this is the verse that I underlined from our reading today too, because I'm asking that question, "why has this happened"? Asking it loudly and often.
Trusting while not understanding,
Joy
Good Words. Very Cute puppy, how is it and you doing? Any Sleep yet?
Cute Picture of you too.
Have a Blessed Day everyone!
Lynn - OR
The tribes of Isreal asked the tribe of Benjamin to hand over the men who committed the crime; Benjamin refused and so in the end the whole tribe suffered and paid the price for the sin of a few. Why didn't they just hand them over? Maybe they didn't like being told what to do?
This concubine story is familiar to the story of Lot and Sodom and Gomorrah. Do they both show how God abhors sexual sin? And why do the cowardly men always hand over the helpless women?
Recurring theme here: "Isreal had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes." Lots of questions arise for me.
Interesting read.
Morgen - MN
Good Morning all,
Today, as we end the Book of Judges, we've seen the corruption at this time. Faithfulness to God that was present in Joshua's time has disappeared. We read today (for the 4th time - 17:6, 18:1, 19:1, & 21:25) "In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes." For some reason that just stuck out to me. When God is neglected what do people turn to?
...self... We see this growing apathy towards wickedness today. We live in a society where pretty much anything goes...
What I love and is so reassuring to me is that even in this sinful world today, (just like how we are reading in the O.T.) a small faithful group are able to endure the pleasures of sin and live to please our LORD! Don't ya love that?!
"Let us not give up meeting together..." Hebrews 10:25...It's much easier to remain faithful to God when we are plugged into a bible teaching, Christian church and at the same time surrounding ourselves with encouraging Godly women that keep us focused on God's Word.
Something our pastor told us several years ago that stuck out to me was: IF IT IS NOT IN YOUR CALENDAR IT IS NOT IN YOUR LIFE.
He spoke of the importance of writing down in one's "day-timer," the time they plan to read scriptures...Arranging YOUR day for HIM...Making room in your life for God...Abiding in Christ...Our transformed life will point others to God.
Lord, I want to live a life where others' will see you in me. I want your light to be brightly shining through all my day-to-day activities. Your Word gives me daily, practical ways to live my life. You've instructed me what to do...help me, Lord, to follow YOUR plan for me. In Jesus name, Amen.
Lori - Mesa, AZ
PS Tomorrow, girls, we begin the Book of Ruth! Can't wait to read Ruth with you all...Love you and praying for you today.
Kristen, how was the conference? :)
Hi Friends
The puppy is doing great! She is bonding beautifully with the family. I am getting sleep. Up once at night.
Have a great day everyone!
Morning Sweet Friends,
Today’s reading hits way to close to the heart. From the very beginning like you Wendy my heart was grieved. When I came to Judges 19:22 through the rest of the reading, my heart raced and tears just flowed. I have been that woman of rape, I know her pain. It is a mental and can be a sort of physical death. For me I was 10 and it was the death of childhood that carried in to my adult life.
Then as it goes on from sexual sin to murder and on and on, it does lead one to question why. Why did God allow such pain and unfairness to come to this woman? I didn’t find the answer in this lesson, did you? Unless she was a sacrifice!
Don’t know friends, having a tough time dealing with this one today. Maybe you have better insight.
Diane
Morning~
Today's reading was hard for me to read. Very sad situation with the concubine. I think what made me stop and think was the sin of the old man and the Levite as well as the sin of the men from the town. In 19:25 it says, "But they wouldn't listen to him. So the Levite took hold of his concubine and pushed her out the door." That just broke my heart. Not just in this story, but in general, how often do we think of ourselves at the expense of other's pain? How could a husband offer up his wife in this way? Trying to process this today....
Hope you all have a great day. It has gone from 75 and sunny this weekend to cold and snowing today in TN. Crazy weather down here! I want to ask you all to please be praying for me this week. I am going on Thursday to Vanderbilt Hospital to their Allergy and Sinus program to try and get to the root cause of all my chronic sinus issues. It has been going on for 4+ years now. I have had two surgeries and still can not get well. And to please keep my husband in your prayers. John has agreed to go to church with my son and I next week for Easter. Our church is doing our version of cardboard testimonies and I am going to be participating. I am excited about what God is working in John's heart. I know this is one more step in turning his heart to Christ.
Blessings and Love,
Brandee
Diane we were posting at the same time. As you can see I had a hard time too. I also suffered sexual abuse at the age of 11 from my grandfather. Very long road to healing and many bad choices for many years after. I heard Beth Moore say on one of her CDs that "sexual abuse is the enemy's way of ruining the adult that child is to become." I think that is so true, because if you don't have Christ, it does ruin your life. I let it for a very long time and it almost cost me my marriage. I praise Jesus I am healed and have a new life today and my marriage is better than it has ever been!
Happy Monday Ladies!
The start of Holy Week... I love this time of year, but I also usually go through the emotional wringer as I ponder the unimaginable sacrifice our Lord gave to me. I dwell on that and tears fill my eyes. But this year He whispered to me; don't forget, I rose again and am seated at the right hand of My Father waiting for you.
Perhaps that is why I see the New Testament in today's reading. The Levite was traveling (this time FROM Bethlehem) with his family, late at night, and no one would give him shelter. Morgan, you are right, the events that happen in the night were JUST like Sodom and Gomorrah! Nothing is new under the stars....
But back to my (perhaps a bit of a stretch in some areas)analogies; the tribe of Judah went first to redeem the Israelites in the tribe if Benjamin for the sins they had committed, just as Jesus from the tribe of Judah went first to all of Israel and all of the world. They (the tribe of Judah) suffered, even death. On the third day they were victorious. All the faithful came together in prayer. Even after the slaughter of the people of the tribe of Benjamin, the Israelites grieved because one of the tribes was gone; just as we grieve the loss of a family member. They looked for ways to redeem the tribe of Benjamin and re-instate them into the family of Israel. God provided ways to save the people of Benjamin, even though He invoked judgment on them for their great sin!
I found the book of Judges a real challenge. I had to turn to commentaries many times. I am learning to claim two verses, particularly in readings such as these:
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD”: (Isaiah 55:8)
and
"Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." (John 6:68)
If I give over to God my lack of understanding, He gives me peace even if the understanding is not immediately evident.
Have a very blessed Holy Week everyone!
Karen, CA
Hey Diane, Brandee and others,
I am so sorry for your past victimization! I am praying for you and praise your faithfulness to God who comes to bind up the broken-hearted and set the captive free!
Readings like today's or the Genesis chapter must tear at you and make it so hard to see why they are part of God's Word!
If I can give you any comfort or insight, let me say GOD ABHORES such sin! He sets out to destroy it and each and every time! I don't know what happened to the Levite after he spoke at the gathering of the Israelites, but he was not blameless in the sight of God, and I'm sure God dealt with him. As others have pointed out already today, "Isreal had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes." And it did not go well with them; none of them...
But now today we have a Great High Priest who (in the words of The Message in Hebrews 4:14-16):
Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let's not let it slip through our fingers. We don't have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He's been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let's walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.
May His peace be with you,
Karen, CA
I also was drawn to the scripture that past couple of days that said,
"In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes."
In my journal I wrote, Sounds like today's world as some are living without our King...Jesus as our Lord, our King. God is often forgotten and pushed aside. The Bible is no longer taken, for some,
as black n white...there seems to have emerged a grayness even in the Christian world...causing doubt and confusion; hence the arrival of believing whatever seems right in one's eyes.
My awareness of the presence of this grayness started in a Bible study, believe it or not, when the Pastor leading the study said that Noah's Ark may have just been a story that was passed down to illustrate God's message. It really doesn't matter if it happened or not. I was blown away and argued back and said I for one believe...and for those who need the proof I pray that Noah's Ark is finally discovered! I also mentioned that it was noted when Jesus shared a parable to illustrate a truth to help the people understand. I am sure that if this were so with the Old Testament stories it would have also been noted by the author. For God all things are possible.
I continue to fight this battle all the time in the church I am attending. Alot of our friends with families, who believe as we do have left to attend a couple of Bible based teaching (non-denominational) churches. I too have felt this pull to leave as our membership dwindles and the Leadership actually questions why? Somehow my husband and I have not felt the call to leave. We have been members for so long that the people who are left have become family. The question we posed to ourselves is would we leave our own families at times we are struggling and down and out? So we feel, in someway, we are called to stay so that some truth remains. I do get together once a month for study and fellowship with other believers to keep strong and on track. The doubt and confusion can creep in otherwise. And of course with you all as well.
Here's a few other illustration of that grayness we are witnessing in this world"
*When trying to hold other's accountable or sharing the black and white (truth of the scripture) one is being called judgemental. Tolerance is preached. Which to us leads to do whatever you feel is right.
*Even Creation and how the Bible states that it happened is being questioned by one of the young women in our Church. She asked, "Who was around to write it down. And of course, yes, the Bible was divinely inspired but imperfect people wrote it down and how do we know they didn't put their own twist on it." So how do we know it is truth. I have to ask where is the faith and trust of God we cling too. Faith is believing without seeing.
The question that came to my mind as I thought about it was if the Bible is our guidebook...and there is not trust in it's truth...where or what book is? Again I guess just believe what they see is right for them. She also stated that if someone is going to come on strong and tell me how I should believe I will just back away from them.
I also want to give them a bit of the benefit of doubt because I also truly believe people are in search of the truth and instead of searching the scriptures and having a personal relationship with God they perhaps are going to other people or resources that leave them still questioning and trying settle on some grasp of belief. I know I use to be one of them myself a long time ago. So prayer is definitely needed and we are so needed to boldly share our faith and tesimony of how God through Jesus works in our lives.
*Another gray belief is that our God is perhaps the same God of other world religions. He just comes to them in a different name and form...leading to the gray issue that there are many pathways that lead to Heaven... just pick one. Sometimes I want to just scream or cry out. Lord give me the words I need to set these people straight! No one likes to think that God would send anyone to the fires of hell but it is stated in the Bible. The Bible states that Jesus is the way, the truth and the Life and no one comes to the Father except through me. "The" is the key here not a way, a truth, and a life. And it is for everyone. He gave his son for the world! Jews and Gentiles (gentiles are not just Christians everyone is included in this invitation!) How more black in white can it be stated! But again the grayness emerges in a discussion...well some people just twist the scriptures to fit their purpose or pull out what they want to. Again, I want to cry out to God and Scream...even weep for people who may not come out of the grayness...the ones who will be lost. I pray that they be found, for they are now blind and do not see.
Heavenly Father, give us your patience and your words of truth to share with those who still live in doubt and confusion. We come to you shouting, crying out and at times weeping for those who seem not to understand and just do what they feel is right. For Lord we know that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life and to life everlasting with you. Give us the strength to endure and to keep us in the battle til the end for you. I am so thankful for those in my life who lift your spirit within me and stir my soul to help keep my eyes and heart upon you and your Word. Be with each of us today as we each have our own battles before us. But we claim this day, "If God is for us who can be against us"! Amen
Debbie in Illinois Sorry this is so long... a lot on my heart to share today.:)
Wendy your puppy is adorable...I have a Grandpuppy, she's a 2 year old puggle, named Bella. Sometimes I call her my little Bell a mia or CinderBella. :)
Diane and Brandee,
I was typing my long comment when you posted yours. As I glanced back I read your comments. Thank-you so much for honestly sharing your abuses as children. There is such healing when we come forth with those things that at times feel risky to share...that we might be looked upon differently or judged in some way. I have found for myself as well that once I share a personal "dark experience" in my life that it gives others a freedom to come forth with theirs. We are not alone girlfriends. There is so much healing in witnessing God's goodness through those valley times. And as I look back through my valleys...I would never want to go through them again...but they have strengthened me, my faith, and have become a part of my shaping of who God intends me to be. Praying that healing comes to those of you who are in need today. Love from Illinois Debbie
Goodmorning All,
A few nuggets this morning;
i) Concubine - in the Bible denotes a female conjugally united to a man, but in a relation inferior to that of a wife. But in process of time the custom of concubinage degenerated, and laws were made to restrain and regulate it (Ex. 21:7-9).Christianity has restored the sacred institution of marriage to its original character, and concubinage is ranked with the sins of fornication and adultery (Matt. 19:5-9; 1 Cor. 7:2) - Bless the Lord that this issue has been corrected because I don't know if I could have been a party to such infidelity!!
ii) Judges 19:5-9 & 11-15 - were these attempts by God to lead the levi in the right direction? Why wasn't he obedient? His insistence to do what seemed right in his eyes brought destruction to him. Was it a sign that cocubinage was not a good thing in the eyes of God from back then?
iii) Judges 19:24-27 - The old man offered both the concubine and his virgin daughter, why wasnt this followed through? Additionally, (and maybe a bit controversial), but the only difference between how the concubine was treated by the Levi man and the men from Gibeah was that the former was known by her and the latters were not!! It was total disrespect to her as a woman, his woman, for him to offer her to them and then to later want to resume the relationship as normal - what were the people in the o/t thinking back then?
Today, I leave with more questions than answers, but one thing is evident - Obedience to God births blessings and total disaster and destruction is the love child of Disobedience!!
I pray today that we listen for that still voice of God leading and guiding us as we go about our daily lives and face so many uncertainties, In Jesus Name, Amen.
Chanan
Bahamas
Lori,
Thanks so much for your prayers, you are truly a prayer warrior!! Reminds of me the song 'I pray for you, you pray for me and watch God change things'.
Thank you to all you prayer and God warriors out there!
Debbie, loved your insights today! I so agree! It is THE TRUTH and once you have been set free by it, there is no doubt it is THE TRUTH!
Friends,
Thank you for the encouraging words. It is strange how God works sometimes. I have dealt with this event in my life. I thought that I had put it to rest. God knows how many times I have laid it at his feet. So many women have at one time in their life been victim of some type of sexual assault.
God heals us and we can forgive. The memories are always there, it is up to us HOW we choose to deal with those memories. It seems for me that my memories have been haunting me for these past few months. Today's reading just brought them out into the light.
I ask you sisters help me not get into the pit of self pity from this. Please stand with me against the enemy. It has hit me harder than expected reading today.
Thanks in advance,
Diane
"In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes."
Reminds me of another scripture:
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? Jer. 17:9
When man is without the salvation of Jesus Christ he/she is capable of being controlled by Satan and his motives to kill, steal and destory.
Today's reading was sorrowful to me as well. But as others have said, we can see Jesus being illustrated throughout the bible. He said Lo I come in the volume of the book. It's all about Jesus and the Father's love to bring his people back in fellowship with him.
No matter what we go through we can chose to become better and not bitter, then and only then will God get the glory.
Father, help us to trust you through faith in "Who" you are and your plans for us.
Blessings!
Debbie - North Carolina
P.S. - Wendy, I got a chocolate, green-eyed lab puppy for New years. Her name is Shekinah. I was growing weary with the potty training and all, but now at 4 months, she's a beautiful almost perfect baby pup. She has become my best friend. :-)
Diane, my thoughts and prayers are with you today as you are feeling your painful memories. I cannot feel your pain for I have not been there. I do pray for your healing of memories. As I have shared before. I had a healing of memories. I was having nightmares about my dad's abuse of my mom. He was either hurting her or himself in these horrible dreams that were based on my childhood memories. I would wake up from them just as scared as if it just had happened and would need to be comforted by my husband. I found healing sitting quietly and picturing myself on Jesus lap as that scared little girl sitting on the steps listening to the abuse of my mother. I told him all about it, that I was scared as a child and I am still scared by the memories and the dreams. I sat there and I purged unbelieveable tears of healing. To this day I have never had a nightmare about my father again. Praise God! A Christian freind shared a taped- audio - visualization Healing of Memories by Ruth Carter Stapleton with me that walked me through this. I just know that it worked for me and I claim His healing. I am also able to share my story with others in hopes that my story may help others feel not alone and perhaps be a part of their healing process.
Forgiveness is difficult. It can feel at times that if we let go and forgive it somehow condones what the person has done. That's why at times we hold on to things. It certainly does not condone behaviors of any kind. I agrees God feels your pain and sheds tears with you...and God even loves the most vialist of sinners and wants to have a relationship with them as well. Our forgiveness can be a part of the process that perhaps brings this person to Christ. Such a difficult thing to do for most of us.
I once heard a definition of forgiveness that has stuck with me, "forgiveness means giving up the hope that the past can be any different." I can't change it, by not forgiving we are chained to the past and it can be paralizing.
Forgiveness is freedom to move on. It sounds like you have experienced such freedom but the memories arise at times like a scab of a healing wound that has been picked off. I don't think forgiveness means that we ever forget what happens it just gives us freedom to move on. So please keep walking and sharing your story. Praying that your sharing of this horrific memory brings some healing to you today. Thanks for sharing it with all of us. May a peace which passes all understanding be with you today and beyond. Love from Illinois Debbie
Wow, Ladies, I am overwhelmed with your insights and saddened by the content at the same time. As a former therapist, I have worked with women in healing, but the journey is often long with lots of twists and turns. I can say with confidence however, that when God is in charge of the process, healing (whether in small bits or huge leaps) does occur, and He is always glorified when it does. I saw proof of this again today with both Brandee and Diane. Without your willingness to transparently comment, this reading would have meant much less to many of us. Because of you, the Word became alive, and the wickedness so real. God's purpose is being lived out in you. From the bottom of my heart, "I am so sorry for your pain, but so thankful for YOU!"
I find myself recovering today from a wonderful retreat. I am always amazed at God's ability to speak and make His presence known. Thanks Lori for asking and thank you to everyone for your prayers. I taught on Ruth Saturday morning. I can't wait to read the book with all of you this week, too. What perfect timing! We get to read about a kinsman-redeemer just as we celebrate the resurrection of our Redeemer! Our Redeemer Lives!
Praying we all stand strong with God, even when we are tempted to bend or break.
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