“And so it was that all who saw it said, “No such deed has been done or seen from the day that the children of Israel came up from the land of Egypt until this day. Consider it, confer, and speak up!””
Judges 19:30 NKJV
I have to admit I read a story in the Bible today that I’d never read or heard of – and I see why. It is violent and devastating and impossible for me to repeat. If you read it, warning, it’s not a bed time story and it’s full of triggers.
But what stood out to me was the people’s response – a plea to consider the deeds, to talk about it amongst each other in order to determine how to respond, then speak up about it.
Sin, abuse, exploitation, murder, and more is rampant around us. It’s in games people play and on TV channels for all to see. As such, I fear we’ve become numb to depravity and have gotten so used to it that we ignore sin and injustices when we see them.
After 911, there was a motto in the United States: see something, say something. Specifically it was about terroristic threats. Yet, there are threats to holiness, to our families, and to our communities all around us. Instead of ignoring them, He is asking me to consider it, confer with Him about it, and speak up.
I hear Him speaking to my heart today, “Stop ignoring sin in your life – whether it’s on TV or in your life. Do not tolerate sin. It’s a threat to holiness. I cannot dwell where sin abounds and just as sin and depravity killed the woman in this passage, so it will kill you. Make no room for it.”
As for me and my house, I will no longer be silent about the sin around me. I will lovingly and kindly point out the little foxes that are trying to steal and kill. I will speak up for Him, for holiness and for the things of G-d.
Father – thank You for how You lovingly convict and correct. This story could be written in today’s time and I see sin is sin from generation to generation. Make me, my home, my generation, my church, and my community a holy people pleasing to You, courageously speaking up about what is on Your heart. You are good. Your leadership in my life is perfect and You can be trusted. Amen.
Daily Reading: Judges 19-21