1 00:00:00,800 --> 00:00:04,880 Speaker 1: Let us pray. Behold, here is my daughter, a maiden, 2 00:00:05,080 --> 00:00:08,920 Speaker 1: and his concubine them. I will bring out now and 3 00:00:09,039 --> 00:00:12,280 Speaker 1: humble ye them, and do with them what seemeth good 4 00:00:12,360 --> 00:00:16,400 Speaker 1: unto you, but unto this man. Do not so vile 5 00:00:16,440 --> 00:00:22,119 Speaker 1: a thing. Judge is nineteen twenty four. Lord, I can't 6 00:00:22,200 --> 00:00:26,480 Speaker 1: thank you enough for the spirit of discernment, like the Leevite, 7 00:00:26,960 --> 00:00:31,280 Speaker 1: give me the intuition and instincts necessary to know when 8 00:00:31,320 --> 00:00:33,720 Speaker 1: to stay at a place and when to leave the 9 00:00:33,760 --> 00:00:37,360 Speaker 1: company of people who would seek to distract me from 10 00:00:37,360 --> 00:00:42,280 Speaker 1: my mission or cause me harm in any way. From 11 00:00:42,320 --> 00:00:46,160 Speaker 1: this moment on, I have decided to follow your blueprint 12 00:00:46,159 --> 00:00:49,440 Speaker 1: from my life, Lord, and not deviate from the layout 13 00:00:49,640 --> 00:00:53,199 Speaker 1: or directions that you have given me. Help me to 14 00:00:53,240 --> 00:00:56,440 Speaker 1: realize that when I try to forge my own path 15 00:00:56,880 --> 00:01:00,160 Speaker 1: like the Levite, I'll end up killing the very thing 16 00:01:00,240 --> 00:01:05,800 Speaker 1: that I have sacrificed time, effort, and energy to obtain. Therefore, 17 00:01:06,600 --> 00:01:10,319 Speaker 1: I declare that my ears are open to hear your voice. 18 00:01:10,400 --> 00:01:11,080 Speaker 2: Lord. 19 00:01:11,920 --> 00:01:15,600 Speaker 1: I declare that my feet are firmly planted on your 20 00:01:15,720 --> 00:01:20,199 Speaker 1: path God, And when others try to come and pry 21 00:01:20,280 --> 00:01:24,520 Speaker 1: my promise from my hands, I will stand boldly. Then 22 00:01:24,640 --> 00:01:28,759 Speaker 1: confront my opponents, knowing that you will give me strength 23 00:01:29,120 --> 00:01:33,399 Speaker 1: to stand and fight. Quicken my feet, Heavenly Father when 24 00:01:33,400 --> 00:01:36,039 Speaker 1: I stray, so that I can make it back to 25 00:01:36,120 --> 00:01:39,880 Speaker 1: the place where the wings of your grace can comfort 26 00:01:40,360 --> 00:01:47,760 Speaker 1: and protect me. In Jesus Name, Amen, Listening to these 27 00:01:47,880 --> 00:01:52,200 Speaker 1: daily prayers strengthens your relationship with God. Continue hearing from 28 00:01:52,240 --> 00:01:55,680 Speaker 1: the Lord by listening to today's Bible in a Year, 29 00:01:56,480 --> 00:02:06,320 Speaker 1: brought to you by Bible in a Year dot com. 30 00:02:06,360 --> 00:02:11,000 Speaker 3: The wickedness of the Benjamin tribe. In our last story, 31 00:02:11,320 --> 00:02:14,280 Speaker 3: we learned about the tribe of Dan stealing idols from 32 00:02:14,280 --> 00:02:17,360 Speaker 3: the house of Micah and their violent siege over an 33 00:02:17,440 --> 00:02:20,880 Speaker 3: innocent village. The tribe of Dan found a home at 34 00:02:20,919 --> 00:02:24,960 Speaker 3: the expense of others, and Israel continued to sin before God. 35 00:02:25,800 --> 00:02:28,360 Speaker 3: Now we learn about the journey of a young Levite 36 00:02:28,360 --> 00:02:31,840 Speaker 3: and his concubine. As they seek their own path away 37 00:02:31,880 --> 00:02:35,880 Speaker 3: from God, they fall victim to all sorts of dark evils, 38 00:02:36,639 --> 00:02:39,000 Speaker 3: as inspired by the Book of Judges. 39 00:02:41,400 --> 00:02:44,280 Speaker 2: Hello, this is Pastor Jack Graham with today's episode of 40 00:02:44,320 --> 00:02:47,880 Speaker 2: the Bible in a Year podcast. In our last episode, 41 00:02:47,919 --> 00:02:50,880 Speaker 2: we heard the story of Micah's spiritual confusion and how 42 00:02:50,880 --> 00:02:53,280 Speaker 2: the tribe of Dan stole idols from the House of 43 00:02:53,320 --> 00:02:56,680 Speaker 2: Micah to place in their own places of worship in 44 00:02:56,720 --> 00:02:59,720 Speaker 2: a city they stole from innocent people. It was a 45 00:02:59,720 --> 00:03:03,440 Speaker 2: sign of Israel's moral bankruptcy in a time when each 46 00:03:03,480 --> 00:03:07,560 Speaker 2: person did whatever seemed right in their own eyes. Yet 47 00:03:07,600 --> 00:03:10,760 Speaker 2: as God's people continued to drift further away from him, 48 00:03:11,080 --> 00:03:15,760 Speaker 2: God continued to wait for a time to rescue his children. Today, 49 00:03:15,840 --> 00:03:19,880 Speaker 2: we'll see that Israel continues its descent into wickedness, and 50 00:03:20,040 --> 00:03:22,640 Speaker 2: we'll hear another story of a man straying from God 51 00:03:22,680 --> 00:03:25,720 Speaker 2: to seek his own path. A leviede who will leave 52 00:03:25,720 --> 00:03:29,400 Speaker 2: his wife and journey with his concubine into dangerous territory 53 00:03:29,760 --> 00:03:34,360 Speaker 2: both physically and spiritually. Is a story that's destined to 54 00:03:34,440 --> 00:03:37,360 Speaker 2: end in tragedy, of course, but let us not miss 55 00:03:37,400 --> 00:03:39,840 Speaker 2: the lesson that there is for all who will listen 56 00:03:39,960 --> 00:03:43,279 Speaker 2: and learn so less Here today's reading. 57 00:03:45,240 --> 00:03:48,600 Speaker 3: Israel continued its fall from the favor of God. The 58 00:03:48,680 --> 00:03:52,000 Speaker 3: days of parted seas and Mana falling from heaven were 59 00:03:52,040 --> 00:03:55,360 Speaker 3: long forgotten, and even the holiest of people did what 60 00:03:55,520 --> 00:03:59,560 Speaker 3: was right in their own eyes. Pursuing peace, blessing, and 61 00:03:59,640 --> 00:04:04,080 Speaker 3: kindness was a distant virtue. Now people wandered the land 62 00:04:04,120 --> 00:04:08,280 Speaker 3: without purpose. In those days, there was a certain levite 63 00:04:08,280 --> 00:04:12,160 Speaker 3: who was sojouring in the wilderness of Ephrium. This levite, 64 00:04:12,360 --> 00:04:15,400 Speaker 3: called to be a man who serves the people of God, 65 00:04:16,040 --> 00:04:20,120 Speaker 3: left his wife and took for himself a concubine from Bethlehem. 66 00:04:20,520 --> 00:04:24,039 Speaker 3: Together they traveled, but the woman was unfaithful to him 67 00:04:24,120 --> 00:04:27,919 Speaker 3: and traveled back to Bethlehem. Heart broken and love sick, 68 00:04:28,200 --> 00:04:31,279 Speaker 3: the levite traveled back to Bethlehem to win back his 69 00:04:31,400 --> 00:04:36,599 Speaker 3: concubine's affection. He brought gifts and wrote poems, and outside 70 00:04:36,600 --> 00:04:40,200 Speaker 3: her father's house he sought to serenade her. Her father 71 00:04:40,279 --> 00:04:43,640 Speaker 3: opened the door, overjoyed to see that the levite returned 72 00:04:43,680 --> 00:04:46,640 Speaker 3: for his daughter, He invited the levite to stay with 73 00:04:46,720 --> 00:04:50,520 Speaker 3: him for three days. The levite gladly accepted the invitation, 74 00:04:51,040 --> 00:04:54,279 Speaker 3: Yet there was a strangeness in the father's smile. A 75 00:04:54,360 --> 00:04:58,040 Speaker 3: lingering wickedness that was too subtle to spot clearly hovered 76 00:04:58,080 --> 00:05:01,919 Speaker 3: over the house. The levi ignored it, wanting only to 77 00:05:01,960 --> 00:05:05,600 Speaker 3: win back as concubine's heart, so he entered the father's 78 00:05:05,600 --> 00:05:09,479 Speaker 3: house and stayed for three days. The two men ate 79 00:05:09,960 --> 00:05:14,240 Speaker 3: drank in exchanged tales of their travels and exploits. The 80 00:05:14,279 --> 00:05:18,000 Speaker 3: wine continued to pour and the food continued to be cooked. 81 00:05:18,800 --> 00:05:21,919 Speaker 3: Time moved quickly, and on the fourth day, the levied 82 00:05:22,000 --> 00:05:24,880 Speaker 3: and his woman arose to leave. The father put his 83 00:05:24,960 --> 00:05:27,919 Speaker 3: hand on the levited's shoulder and smiled, Why don't you 84 00:05:28,000 --> 00:05:31,040 Speaker 3: stay for one last meal before you go? He said, 85 00:05:31,680 --> 00:05:34,839 Speaker 3: so the two of them ate together once again. Their 86 00:05:34,880 --> 00:05:39,280 Speaker 3: meal and conversation lasted hours, and the morning quickly turned 87 00:05:39,320 --> 00:05:42,680 Speaker 3: into dusk. The levied opened the door to depart and 88 00:05:42,760 --> 00:05:45,960 Speaker 3: looked at the horizon. He was surprised to see that 89 00:05:46,040 --> 00:05:49,360 Speaker 3: the night had come so quickly. The skies turned into 90 00:05:49,360 --> 00:05:52,320 Speaker 3: a deep red as the sun set against the bare sky. 91 00:05:53,120 --> 00:05:56,480 Speaker 3: It was an uneasy sunset, and it sent chills down 92 00:05:56,520 --> 00:06:00,720 Speaker 3: the levite's neck. Ah, what do you know, father said 93 00:06:00,720 --> 00:06:04,120 Speaker 3: from behind him. It is already sunset. You might as 94 00:06:04,160 --> 00:06:07,919 Speaker 3: well stay one more night. The levite was uneasy about 95 00:06:07,960 --> 00:06:12,239 Speaker 3: spending another night, but the father insisted, so he stayed 96 00:06:12,480 --> 00:06:17,120 Speaker 3: another night. On the fifth morning, the levite gathered as 97 00:06:17,120 --> 00:06:20,240 Speaker 3: things his woman and his servant, and the three of 98 00:06:20,279 --> 00:06:23,279 Speaker 3: them prepared to depart from the father's house. It was 99 00:06:23,320 --> 00:06:26,320 Speaker 3: still dark, but the girl's father had already been awake 100 00:06:26,480 --> 00:06:29,880 Speaker 3: tending to the fields. He shouted from a distance, saying, 101 00:06:30,320 --> 00:06:33,560 Speaker 3: strengthen your hearts. Stay and I will make you breakfast 102 00:06:33,640 --> 00:06:36,800 Speaker 3: until the sun arises. So the three of them remained. 103 00:06:37,640 --> 00:06:40,159 Speaker 3: Time seemed to move at a different pace. In that 104 00:06:40,279 --> 00:06:44,080 Speaker 3: dining room. Drinks flowed like a river into the Levite's cup, 105 00:06:44,360 --> 00:06:47,000 Speaker 3: and he found himself lost in a drunken stupor that 106 00:06:47,120 --> 00:06:51,320 Speaker 3: lasted all day. Slapping himself awake, the levite thanked the 107 00:06:51,320 --> 00:06:54,760 Speaker 3: girl's father and finally went off to depart, But the 108 00:06:54,839 --> 00:07:00,880 Speaker 3: sun had already begun its descent and day was almost over. Well, 109 00:07:00,920 --> 00:07:04,320 Speaker 3: there's no harm in spending the night again, the father said, 110 00:07:04,360 --> 00:07:07,400 Speaker 3: with a jolly grin. His rotted teeth could barely be 111 00:07:07,480 --> 00:07:11,680 Speaker 3: spotted underneath his white beard. First thing tomorrow morning, you 112 00:07:11,720 --> 00:07:15,280 Speaker 3: can all start your journey, he said. The levite peered 113 00:07:15,320 --> 00:07:19,640 Speaker 3: into his eyes, the uneasy chills overcame him again. The 114 00:07:19,720 --> 00:07:22,880 Speaker 3: levite nodded politely, and the woman's father left the room 115 00:07:22,960 --> 00:07:26,600 Speaker 3: to go prepare the beds. Then he took his concubine 116 00:07:26,600 --> 00:07:29,360 Speaker 3: and servant, and they made a mad dash for the door. 117 00:07:29,800 --> 00:07:33,040 Speaker 3: They saddled their donkeys and rode off. He would not 118 00:07:33,240 --> 00:07:35,760 Speaker 3: spend the night again, for he feared that it could 119 00:07:35,840 --> 00:07:38,679 Speaker 3: very well be his last if he did. The treo 120 00:07:38,760 --> 00:07:42,120 Speaker 3: traveled to Jibbes, which is now Jerusalem. The day was 121 00:07:42,160 --> 00:07:45,520 Speaker 3: nearly over and the sun was half way below the horizon. 122 00:07:46,040 --> 00:07:49,160 Speaker 3: The levite's servant said to him, let us descend into 123 00:07:49,160 --> 00:07:51,880 Speaker 3: the city of the Jeebasites and spend the night, and 124 00:07:52,040 --> 00:07:56,600 Speaker 3: may become dangerous soon. The levite looked uneasy. He had 125 00:07:56,600 --> 00:07:59,160 Speaker 3: heard rumors of the Jeevasites and was not sure if 126 00:07:59,160 --> 00:08:01,720 Speaker 3: he wanted to stay in their city, so they turned 127 00:08:01,720 --> 00:08:05,480 Speaker 3: away to Gibea as the sun set behind them. Gibea 128 00:08:05,560 --> 00:08:08,680 Speaker 3: belonged to the tribe of Benjamin, and the Levite was 129 00:08:08,760 --> 00:08:12,320 Speaker 3: sure they could find lodging among God's people. However, they 130 00:08:12,360 --> 00:08:15,120 Speaker 3: had no such luck. The three of them knocked on 131 00:08:15,200 --> 00:08:17,520 Speaker 3: every door in the city, seeking a place to rest 132 00:08:17,560 --> 00:08:21,440 Speaker 3: their heads, yet each one turned them away. So the levite, 133 00:08:21,480 --> 00:08:25,000 Speaker 3: his concubine, and his servant huddled in the courtyard in 134 00:08:25,040 --> 00:08:28,400 Speaker 3: the middle of the city. Alone and cold. They slept 135 00:08:28,640 --> 00:08:32,640 Speaker 3: without blankets or food to warm them. It was still 136 00:08:32,760 --> 00:08:36,200 Speaker 3: night and the Levite had finally fallen into a deep sleep. 137 00:08:36,840 --> 00:08:39,920 Speaker 3: His snores were interrupted by an old man poking at 138 00:08:40,000 --> 00:08:43,600 Speaker 3: him and his companions. The levite jolted awake and rose 139 00:08:43,640 --> 00:08:46,400 Speaker 3: to his feet. The old man backed away and gave 140 00:08:46,400 --> 00:08:49,520 Speaker 3: a nervous smile. What are you doing out here in 141 00:08:49,559 --> 00:08:52,280 Speaker 3: the middle of the night, he said, This place is 142 00:08:52,400 --> 00:08:56,160 Speaker 3: dangerous at night. We are traveling back to Ephriam, but 143 00:08:56,240 --> 00:08:58,240 Speaker 3: no one has taken us in to spend the night. 144 00:08:58,760 --> 00:09:01,320 Speaker 3: We have donkeys in need of straw and water, and 145 00:09:01,440 --> 00:09:04,960 Speaker 3: we are in need of food. The levite responded, hoping 146 00:09:05,040 --> 00:09:08,040 Speaker 3: desperately that the man could help them. Of course, the 147 00:09:08,120 --> 00:09:11,080 Speaker 3: man said, I can care for all your needs, just 148 00:09:11,160 --> 00:09:13,920 Speaker 3: please do not spend the night out here. There would 149 00:09:13,960 --> 00:09:17,360 Speaker 3: be trouble awaiting you. The old man seemed nervous as 150 00:09:17,400 --> 00:09:20,080 Speaker 3: he led them back to his home. He was constantly 151 00:09:20,120 --> 00:09:23,320 Speaker 3: shining his torch into the alleys and peering over his shoulder. 152 00:09:24,040 --> 00:09:27,000 Speaker 3: Another uneasy feeling came over the levite, and the four 153 00:09:27,040 --> 00:09:30,640 Speaker 3: of them entered the house safely. The four of them 154 00:09:30,679 --> 00:09:34,319 Speaker 3: were warming themselves by the fire, laughing and eating warm food. 155 00:09:35,120 --> 00:09:37,560 Speaker 3: The old man's family came out to join them, and 156 00:09:37,600 --> 00:09:41,160 Speaker 3: they ate, drank and laughed with one another. Their laughter 157 00:09:41,320 --> 00:09:44,280 Speaker 3: was interrupted by a violent banging on the man's door. 158 00:09:45,120 --> 00:09:48,160 Speaker 3: The Levite looked towards the man, and his face turned 159 00:09:48,200 --> 00:09:51,600 Speaker 3: ghostly white. The man arose to go answer the door 160 00:09:51,840 --> 00:09:55,320 Speaker 3: and behold the men from the city surrounded the entire house. 161 00:09:56,000 --> 00:09:58,199 Speaker 3: The Levite could catch a small glimpse of the men 162 00:09:58,280 --> 00:10:01,520 Speaker 3: through the door. An ancient wickedness could be seen in 163 00:10:01,559 --> 00:10:05,080 Speaker 3: their eyes, the same wickedness that tormented the hearts of 164 00:10:05,160 --> 00:10:08,480 Speaker 3: Sodom and Gomorrah long ago. One of them stood at 165 00:10:08,480 --> 00:10:11,360 Speaker 3: the entrance of the home and pointed straight to the Levite. 166 00:10:11,840 --> 00:10:15,360 Speaker 3: Bring out your petty, little, levied old man. The words 167 00:10:15,360 --> 00:10:18,080 Speaker 3: slithered out of his grinning mouth. We would like to 168 00:10:18,120 --> 00:10:21,440 Speaker 3: have our way with him, he said. The Levite jumped 169 00:10:21,440 --> 00:10:23,800 Speaker 3: to his feet and pressed his back up against the wall. 170 00:10:24,160 --> 00:10:26,920 Speaker 3: His eyes widened as he watched the old man squirm 171 00:10:27,000 --> 00:10:31,520 Speaker 3: near the door. Please, my brothers, the old man trembled, 172 00:10:32,040 --> 00:10:34,719 Speaker 3: do not do such a wicked thing. These people are 173 00:10:34,800 --> 00:10:37,440 Speaker 3: guests in my home. But the men of the city 174 00:10:37,559 --> 00:10:41,000 Speaker 3: craved the satisfaction of forcing themselves on a young man. 175 00:10:41,520 --> 00:10:45,160 Speaker 3: They had no regard for politeness or honor. They wanted 176 00:10:45,160 --> 00:10:48,320 Speaker 3: what they wanted, and they would take it forcibly. For 177 00:10:48,400 --> 00:10:51,079 Speaker 3: this was the state of Israel's heart. After they turned 178 00:10:51,080 --> 00:10:54,120 Speaker 3: away from God. The men began to enter the home, 179 00:10:54,520 --> 00:10:58,840 Speaker 3: but the old man stopped them, saying, no, no, behold, 180 00:10:59,040 --> 00:11:01,640 Speaker 3: here is my daughter. She is a virgin. And here 181 00:11:01,720 --> 00:11:05,080 Speaker 3: is the levite's concubine. She is very beautiful. Take them 182 00:11:05,440 --> 00:11:09,800 Speaker 3: and spare the Levite. The men seized the concubine and 183 00:11:09,880 --> 00:11:13,840 Speaker 3: drug her into the darkness. Violent screams and evil laughs 184 00:11:13,880 --> 00:11:16,440 Speaker 3: could be heard from the distance as the men abused 185 00:11:16,480 --> 00:11:19,800 Speaker 3: and raped her. It was truly a dark time for Israel. 186 00:11:20,480 --> 00:11:24,440 Speaker 3: What began as idle worship slowly transitioned into a corruption 187 00:11:24,559 --> 00:11:28,560 Speaker 3: that rivaled the wicked kingdoms of old. Dawn began to break. 188 00:11:29,480 --> 00:11:32,439 Speaker 3: The woman crawled out of the alleyway. Her face was 189 00:11:32,480 --> 00:11:35,720 Speaker 3: swollen from being beaten, and her clothes were torn apart. 190 00:11:36,559 --> 00:11:39,600 Speaker 3: Early alive, she slept on the doorstep of the old man, 191 00:11:39,920 --> 00:11:43,280 Speaker 3: waiting for the Levite to come to her. The sun 192 00:11:43,320 --> 00:11:46,360 Speaker 3: had fully risen, and the Levied opened the door slowly 193 00:11:46,440 --> 00:11:49,040 Speaker 3: to see if the coast was clear. He found the 194 00:11:49,040 --> 00:11:51,439 Speaker 3: woman on the floor and said, quick, let us be 195 00:11:51,520 --> 00:11:55,160 Speaker 3: going before they return. The woman was silent and still. 196 00:11:56,080 --> 00:11:58,560 Speaker 3: He shook her and said, there is no time for delay. 197 00:11:58,760 --> 00:12:01,440 Speaker 3: Get up and let's go, but she still lay there, 198 00:12:02,240 --> 00:12:04,200 Speaker 3: so the levite picked her up and lay her on 199 00:12:04,280 --> 00:12:07,200 Speaker 3: his donkey. The levite had finally made it back to 200 00:12:07,280 --> 00:12:11,200 Speaker 3: his home. He came to wake up as concubine, only 201 00:12:11,240 --> 00:12:15,199 Speaker 3: to realize that she was dead. There she laid lifeless. 202 00:12:16,160 --> 00:12:18,880 Speaker 3: The leevite boiled with anger and blamed the men for 203 00:12:19,000 --> 00:12:21,520 Speaker 3: killing her, even though it was not just the men 204 00:12:21,559 --> 00:12:24,680 Speaker 3: that slew her. His own cowardice is what killed her. 205 00:12:25,440 --> 00:12:28,520 Speaker 3: In a heart broken and shameful fury, the levited took 206 00:12:28,520 --> 00:12:32,600 Speaker 3: a knife and began tearing the woman's body apart, limb 207 00:12:32,679 --> 00:12:35,840 Speaker 3: by limb. He forllaied her and separated her body. He 208 00:12:35,920 --> 00:12:38,880 Speaker 3: tore her into twelve pieces and sent her body throughout 209 00:12:38,880 --> 00:12:42,360 Speaker 3: all the territory of Israel. Pieces of her body hung 210 00:12:42,440 --> 00:12:46,120 Speaker 3: for all of Israel to behold. Her bloodied and hanging 211 00:12:46,200 --> 00:12:50,679 Speaker 3: limbs represented the divided and corrupt hearts of Israel. The 212 00:12:50,800 --> 00:12:55,199 Speaker 3: land trembled, and God wept over their wickedness. 213 00:12:59,200 --> 00:13:02,359 Speaker 2: We begin to day reading in the wilderness of Ephraim 214 00:13:02,880 --> 00:13:06,479 Speaker 2: with a nameless Levite who is wandering with his concubine. 215 00:13:07,280 --> 00:13:10,800 Speaker 2: Concubines were considered legal wives of their husband, but were 216 00:13:10,840 --> 00:13:14,640 Speaker 2: afforded second class status, something that will be shown to 217 00:13:14,679 --> 00:13:18,840 Speaker 2: be true in a dramatic way in this story. This Levite, 218 00:13:18,960 --> 00:13:21,360 Speaker 2: a man meant to be set apart to serve God 219 00:13:21,440 --> 00:13:24,720 Speaker 2: and his people, had departed from his wife and from 220 00:13:24,760 --> 00:13:28,240 Speaker 2: God's law and was living in darkness. It is a 221 00:13:28,360 --> 00:13:32,080 Speaker 2: darkness we see throughout this story. The fact that our 222 00:13:32,120 --> 00:13:35,559 Speaker 2: main character is not named seems fitting, as he represents 223 00:13:35,640 --> 00:13:38,520 Speaker 2: in many ways the wandering nation of Israel, who are 224 00:13:38,679 --> 00:13:43,280 Speaker 2: unrecognizable as God's chosen people. It's not long before the 225 00:13:43,360 --> 00:13:46,679 Speaker 2: Levite has a taste of betrayal himself, as his concubine 226 00:13:46,720 --> 00:13:49,960 Speaker 2: is unfaithful to him and returns to her father's home. 227 00:13:50,880 --> 00:13:53,480 Speaker 2: After he spent some time licking his wounds, the Levite 228 00:13:53,559 --> 00:13:57,200 Speaker 2: went to win her back. He succeeds, and he and 229 00:13:57,280 --> 00:13:59,680 Speaker 2: his father in law begin to eat and drink together. 230 00:14:00,280 --> 00:14:03,560 Speaker 2: For three days, they did nothing but eat and drink 231 00:14:03,920 --> 00:14:07,440 Speaker 2: and be merry. His father in law kept insisting that 232 00:14:07,520 --> 00:14:10,640 Speaker 2: he stays, so he did another two nights. Then on 233 00:14:10,679 --> 00:14:14,040 Speaker 2: the fifth day, he took his servant and concubine, and finally, 234 00:14:14,480 --> 00:14:18,600 Speaker 2: late in the day departed. When it was nearly nighttime, 235 00:14:18,679 --> 00:14:22,240 Speaker 2: they found themselves near a city of foreigners Jebus, which 236 00:14:22,280 --> 00:14:26,280 Speaker 2: would later become Jerusalem. The Levi did not want to 237 00:14:26,320 --> 00:14:28,880 Speaker 2: stay there for fear of what the foreigners might do 238 00:14:29,000 --> 00:14:31,440 Speaker 2: to him, so he chose to go instead to Gibbeath, 239 00:14:31,800 --> 00:14:35,560 Speaker 2: a city of the tribe of Benjamin. Sadly, the wickedness 240 00:14:35,560 --> 00:14:39,320 Speaker 2: he found there was even greater. Unable to find lodging 241 00:14:39,360 --> 00:14:41,360 Speaker 2: for the evening, his party set up camp in the 242 00:14:41,400 --> 00:14:44,720 Speaker 2: center of town, but an elderly man of the tribe 243 00:14:44,720 --> 00:14:47,840 Speaker 2: of Ephraim came to their aid, pleading for them to 244 00:14:47,880 --> 00:14:50,920 Speaker 2: stay in his home. He knew the evil that lurked 245 00:14:50,920 --> 00:14:54,160 Speaker 2: in the streets, and he feared for their lives. But 246 00:14:54,240 --> 00:14:58,240 Speaker 2: the evil in the streets soon came knocking. Judges nineteen, 247 00:14:58,320 --> 00:15:02,440 Speaker 2: verse twenty two says this worthless fellows surrounded the house, 248 00:15:02,480 --> 00:15:05,480 Speaker 2: beating on the door, and they said to the old man, 249 00:15:05,560 --> 00:15:07,760 Speaker 2: the master of the house, bring out the man who 250 00:15:07,800 --> 00:15:11,960 Speaker 2: came into your house, that we may know him. Worthless fellows, 251 00:15:12,000 --> 00:15:15,200 Speaker 2: for sure, how low could Israel go? As the sin 252 00:15:15,240 --> 00:15:18,280 Speaker 2: of Sodom ran rampant in the hearts of these Benjamin 253 00:15:18,360 --> 00:15:22,920 Speaker 2: night men. Rather than deliver the levite, their host offered 254 00:15:22,920 --> 00:15:27,120 Speaker 2: his virgin daughter and the concubine the Levite, fearing for 255 00:15:27,160 --> 00:15:29,360 Speaker 2: his own safety and caring nothing for that of the 256 00:15:29,400 --> 00:15:32,520 Speaker 2: women he had sought out just five days before, gave 257 00:15:32,560 --> 00:15:35,120 Speaker 2: over the concubine to be beaten and rape brutally in 258 00:15:35,160 --> 00:15:39,680 Speaker 2: the streets. Meanwhile, he slept seemingly without a care in 259 00:15:39,720 --> 00:15:43,800 Speaker 2: the world. This story obviously shows us how deceitful and 260 00:15:43,880 --> 00:15:47,560 Speaker 2: wicked the human heart is. The Levite in these townspeople 261 00:15:47,640 --> 00:15:51,840 Speaker 2: paint a gruesome and awful picture of the evil that 262 00:15:52,280 --> 00:15:55,920 Speaker 2: people are capable of. The next morning, when the Levite 263 00:15:55,920 --> 00:15:58,760 Speaker 2: found the woman dead outside the door, he did not 264 00:15:58,920 --> 00:16:02,800 Speaker 2: mourn or offer her a proper burial. He carried her home, 265 00:16:03,240 --> 00:16:06,680 Speaker 2: desecrated her body, and sent peaces of her to each 266 00:16:06,720 --> 00:16:09,840 Speaker 2: of the twelve tribes. He wanted to rally the people 267 00:16:09,880 --> 00:16:12,960 Speaker 2: to deal with the men of Gibea. Instead, he would 268 00:16:12,960 --> 00:16:16,080 Speaker 2: set off a war in Israel. And that's what we'll 269 00:16:16,080 --> 00:16:20,600 Speaker 2: hear about the next time. Dear God, we know that 270 00:16:20,640 --> 00:16:24,080 Speaker 2: the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. 271 00:16:24,880 --> 00:16:29,440 Speaker 2: That's clear in the scripture and is clear in experience. Lord, 272 00:16:29,480 --> 00:16:33,320 Speaker 2: we ask for repentance, that our nation would repent, that 273 00:16:33,360 --> 00:16:37,440 Speaker 2: we personally would repent of our sins, confessing our sins 274 00:16:37,480 --> 00:16:41,840 Speaker 2: that you might forgive us and pardon us. We praise 275 00:16:41,880 --> 00:16:44,320 Speaker 2: you that your son, Jesus Christ came to ears to 276 00:16:44,400 --> 00:16:47,920 Speaker 2: die on the cross for our sins and to give 277 00:16:48,000 --> 00:16:51,640 Speaker 2: us eternal life. May we guard our hearts that we 278 00:16:51,760 --> 00:16:56,920 Speaker 2: might not turn back to sin in any way. In Jesus' name, Amen, 279 00:16:57,920 --> 00:17:01,520 Speaker 2: thank you for listening to today's Bible Year podcast. I'm 280 00:17:01,640 --> 00:17:04,679 Speaker 2: Jack Graham of Dallas, Texas, and you can download the 281 00:17:04,680 --> 00:17:07,600 Speaker 2: pray dot Com app and make prayer the priority of 282 00:17:07,640 --> 00:17:10,879 Speaker 2: your life. It is our prayer that you would know 283 00:17:11,040 --> 00:17:15,359 Speaker 2: Jesus Christ in a personal way. Jesus and knowing him 284 00:17:15,480 --> 00:17:19,119 Speaker 2: is the key to understanding the Bible. Jesus is on 285 00:17:19,240 --> 00:17:23,520 Speaker 2: every page in the pathway of Scripture, so I pray 286 00:17:23,560 --> 00:17:25,320 Speaker 2: that you would know him and look to him for 287 00:17:25,440 --> 00:17:28,679 Speaker 2: eternal life. As we see all of these stories, some 288 00:17:28,760 --> 00:17:32,200 Speaker 2: of them very sordid, we realize just how desperately we 289 00:17:32,280 --> 00:17:36,160 Speaker 2: all need the Lord. So invite Christ into your life 290 00:17:36,240 --> 00:17:39,600 Speaker 2: and receive him as your Lord and savior. I would 291 00:17:39,640 --> 00:17:42,560 Speaker 2: also encourage you to download the pray dot com app 292 00:17:42,840 --> 00:17:45,639 Speaker 2: and let others know about this podcast, and if you 293 00:17:45,720 --> 00:17:49,840 Speaker 2: want more resources on how to know God, and experience 294 00:17:50,000 --> 00:17:53,080 Speaker 2: his presence in your life. Be sure to visit Jack 295 00:17:53,160 --> 00:17:56,000 Speaker 2: Graham dot org. God Bless you. 296 00:18:01,359 --> 00:18:05,160 Speaker 1: This episode is sponsored by Meta Share, an innovative healthcare 297 00:18:05,200 --> 00:18:10,600 Speaker 1: solution for Christians to save money without sacrificing quality. 298 00:18:10,720 --> 00:18:13,080 Speaker 4: Welcome to the Pray News podcast, where hope is our 299 00:18:13,119 --> 00:18:17,480 Speaker 4: only bias. Each day, we'll unpack the most prominent stories 300 00:18:17,520 --> 00:18:21,080 Speaker 4: happening in the news and offer a Christian perspective. We 301 00:18:21,160 --> 00:18:23,680 Speaker 4: won't shy away from the hard topics, and we won't 302 00:18:23,680 --> 00:18:27,320 Speaker 4: dilute the hopeful message of Christ. This is more than 303 00:18:27,320 --> 00:18:29,439 Speaker 4: a daily brief on the news. It's a way to 304 00:18:29,480 --> 00:18:33,919 Speaker 4: be informed and transformed. Listen to Prey News on the 305 00:18:33,960 --> 00:18:38,120 Speaker 4: iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.