Bekah Legg from Restored often talks about the story in Judges 19. For those of you unfamiliar with the story, it’s the story of a horrific act of violence against a woman which ends with all the people of Israel, horrified by what they saw, coming together and saying “Just imagine! We must do something! So speak up!’” (Judges 19:30)
Bekah exhorts the Church to respond to violence against women in the same way, “Just imagine! We must do something! So speak up!”
I’ve been thinking about the horrific things we’re seeing in the EpsteinFiles and thinking, not just about the Church, but about the whole world. Surely this has to be our Judges 19 moment.
If this isn’t enough to make us all, as a people say “We must do something!” what will be?
This should be our call to arms.
The Israelites didn’t just “speak up” they picked up their swords and purged the nation of the people who did this, almost the entire tribe of Benjamin was laid to waste. When will we do the same?
The people involved in this powerful grooming gang, who perpetrated some of the most horrific acts of violence against women and children, are the people who run our world: princes, presidents and politicians. This is how the rich and powerful use their money and power, this is how our rulers rule.
I’m reminded of Samuel’s warning about what would happen to the Israelites if they allowed themselves to be ruled by a King: “He said, “This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots. Some he will assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants. Your male and female servants and the best of your cattle[a] and donkeys he will take for his own use. He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves.” (1 Samuel 8:11-17)
Yet even Samuels warning didn’t involve sex trafficking our daughters!
When will we say ‘enough is enough’? When will we say “Just imagine! We must do something!” ?
When she found out that she was pregnant, Mary celebrated the work that God would do through her son, in song, as though it were already accomplished, she sang:
“He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.”
(Luke 1:51-53)
I’m ready for those rulers to be brought down from their thrones
I’m ready for the rich to be sent away empty
I’m ready for justice to roll like a river
I’m ready to pick up my sword, because, “Just imagine! We must do something!”
