Old Testament reading: Judges 20-21
This concludes the account of the Levite and his concubine and closes the book of Judges. What we here observe is the horrific tragedy that dooms a people bent on committing sin or refusing to recognize sin among their brethren. Also seen is man’s inability to control himself in matters of vengeance. Perhaps this is why we have been relieved of exacting vengeance (Romans 12:19; Hebrews 10:30). As an aside, the Septuagint rendering of the phrase in Judges 20:16 “and not miss” utilizes the same Greek word for sin, which illustrates for us that sin is to “miss the mark.” Several times in Judges we are told “there was no king in Israel.” Two of these are accompanied by, “everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judg 17:6, 21:25). These statements are associated with wickedness and a lack of spirituality among the people. Such conduct leads me to believe God was not king in Israel either.
New Testament reading: Matthew 19-21
“What God has joined together, let not man separate.” God’s plan for marriage and the home is given by Jesus in Matthew 19:4-6. One man with one woman until death separates them is God’s law on marriage as established in Eden (Gen 2). Matthew 19:9 is the only exception for God’s law on marriage. The only acceptable reason for divorce and remarriage is fornication on the part of one spouse. Men and religious institutions may continue their assault on God’s plan for the home, but Matthew 19:9 remains unchanged now for two millennia, “Whosoever divorces his wife, except it be for fornication, and marries another, commits adultery. And whoever marries her who is put away commits adultery.” As a wise old preacher once said, ‘This verse doesn’t need commentary or explanation; it needs to be believed.’ Furthermore, the assault on marriage has now expanded beyond the scope of its permanency. Men today have assaulted marriage on the grounds of its divinely approved participants. Jesus said, and the Pharisees knew as well, that marriage is an institution for two people of the opposite sex. What a tragedy it is as our nation and many religious institutions are seeking to destroy God’s plan for the home, the very foundation and fabric of our society.
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