Consistency in Christ

Based on Judges 19-21

"And it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite sojourning on the side of mount Ephraim, who took to him a concubine out of Beth–lehem–judah. And his concubine played the whore against him, and went away from him unto her father's house to Beth–lehem–judah, and was there four whole months."
Judges 19:1‭-‬2

At this point in time, there is still no king in Israel. There are many judges who rise up, but no king to keep a throne for a set amount of time...and certainly, as has been the case, God has not been on the throne of Israel's heart. But one thing to remember is that even when we don't put God first, He is still on HIS throne...and He puts us first by bringing us to a point of repentance so we can get back into a relationship with Him. It may not be desirable to be humbled, but we need this in order to be desired by God! Obviously, this concubine described above should not have played the whole against this Levite man, but we will soon see that everyone in this story is in a state of disorder & lack of proper judgment, even that man...

"And his master said unto him, We will not turn aside hither into the city of a stranger, that is not of the children of Israel; we will pass over to Gibeah. And he said unto his servant, Come, and let us draw near to one of these places to lodge all night, in Gibeah, or in Ramah." Judges 19:12‭-‬13

After going back to his father-in-law for his concubine, the Levite man, the woman & a servant head out to Gibeah which was a place of the Benjamites. The Levite man believed it to be safe because much of the tribe of Benjamin resided there...it wasn't just a foreign land, but a place where God's people were...but the actions of the people there were very opposite of what was expected...

After no one was willing to take in these travellers (which was not normal behavior for the people of God), an old man approaches & questions them, and finally decides to take them in:

"And when he had lifted up his eyes, he saw a wayfaring man in the street of the city: and the old man said, Whither goest thou? and whence comest thou? And he said unto him, We are passing from Beth–lehem–judah toward the side of mount Ephraim; from thence am I: and I went to Beth–lehem–judah, but I am now going to the house of the Lord; and there is no man that receiveth me to house." Judges 19:17‭-‬18

"And the old man said, Peace be with thee; howsoever let all thy wants lie upon me; only lodge not in the street." Judges 19:20

The Levite does say he is going to the house of The Lord, but again, we will see that he doesn't end up displaying godly behavior, just like the people he thought he'd be safe around...

"Now as they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, certain sons of Belial, beset the house round about, and beat at the door, and spake to the master of the house, the old man, saying, Bring forth the man that came into thine house, that we may know him." Judges 19:22

Instead of the men leaving the house, they are willing to let the old man's daughter & the concubine go out to the perverse people in their place. They did not worry about the women, only themselves. No one in this story has shown much effort toward being righteous or seeking God, and it really shows in the upcoming events: the men were not willing to take the women, but the Levite pretty much forces his concubine out the door...after a night of abuse, she weakly lays on the front porch, and the Levite takes her, cuts her in 12 pieces, and sends her out to all the tribes of Israel as a sign against them for their horrific ways...but does that horrific act justify the others? Obviously, repentance was not on anyone's mind...

Consistency in Christ can only happen with a life of repentance, letting God examine the depths of our hearts...if not, we will be heartless, as these individuals were. This did, however, shock Israel & cause a wake-up call...

"Now therefore deliver us the men, the children of Belial, which are in Gibeah, that we may put them to death, and put away evil from Israel. But the children of Benjamin would not hearken to the voice of their brethren the children of Israel: But the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together out of the cities unto Gibeah, to go out to battle against the children of Israel." Judges 20:13‭-‬14

The strife led to 2 humbling defeats of Israel by the Benjamites until the Israelites were ready to be truly repentant toward God. When they were finally extremely sorrowful, God allowed for a victory. They did cause a great slaughter, which made them worry about making the whole tribe of Benjamin extinct...so they went a little overboard...they slaughtered another city, took the virgins, and also kidnapped some other women...

It all goes to show that repentance is a process and a lifestyle. It needs to be repeated, and it needs to be consistently sincere. Humility is one of the most prominent characteristics of Christ, and He was consistent through & through! Let's open our hearts consistently to Christ through repentance to allow for a truly victorious life!