Hello
Often we tend to read and unpack only the ‘clean’ comfortable segments of the Bible. And if we do, we may miss appreciating the Bible’s relevance or how it calls us to action. Today’s Holy Nougat is definitely a call to action. Brace yourself. It’s hard chewing
“When he got home, he took a knife and cut his concubine’s body into twelve pieces. Then he sent one piece to each tribe throughout all the territory of Israel.”
Judges 19:29 NLT
What triggered such an action? Yes his concubine was raped and left for dead. But he offered her to the thugs to protect himself and his host! Moreover, the preceding narrative indicates that she had run away from him and they had just reconciled (kinda)! So what was his point in severing her body and shipping them piece by piece to each tribe?
The story is terrifying and yet, to some degree reminds us of the news that inundates the airwaves and social media quite regularly. Girl (and boys) found dead – victims of rape, burnt and/or dismembered – having been missing for a relatively short time! What triggered such actions?
Perhaps the more pertinent question is, what action(s) does it call us to? For certainly we cannot sit idly/uncomfortably by! Not at all. As we pray for God’s justice (swift and sure), do we not also get mobilized to change legislation for the safety of the victims/survivors and the healing of the traumatized? Perhaps we begin the work of re-orientation and even rehabilitation of a lost and broken society caught in the vicious cycles of violence and oppression.
What triggers us to action? A love for all God’s people (including the masterminds of similar depraved action all around the world); the desire to see God’s kingdom and kin-dom manifested here on earth alongside God’s will for all to be blessed; or the need to heed God’s call to be the change agent this world needs? The world is dying for us to get mobilized.
What triggers our actions?
Good morning
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
