What lessons on community care can we learn from Judges 19:20? Setting the Scene Judges 19 records a dark moment in Israel’s history, yet verse 20 shines as a brief ray of light. An unnamed old man in Gibeah meets a traveling Levite, his concubine, and their servant. With a single sentence he models the heart of God for neighbor-love. Judges 19:20 “Peace to you!” said the old man. “Let me supply everything you need. Only do not spend the night in the square.” Key Observations • “Peace to you!”—He speaks shalom, offering wholeness and safety. • “Let me supply everything you need.”—Hospitality is active, generous, and personal. • “Only do not spend the night in the square.”—He recognizes danger and takes responsibility for their protection. Lessons on Community Care • Proactive Hospitality – We don’t wait for needs to escalate; we step in early (cf. Hebrews 13:2). • Comprehensive Provision – “Everything you need” means more than food—emotional, physical, and spiritual care (James 2:15-16). • Personal Investment – The old man offers his own resources and home, reminding us that real care costs something (2 Samuel 24:24). • Protection of the Vulnerable – He refuses to leave travelers exposed to harm, mirroring God’s concern for the stranger (Psalm 82:3-4). • Creating Spaces of Peace – Shalom is both spoken and practiced; our homes and churches should be refuges (Isaiah 32:18). Supporting Scriptures • Leviticus 19:34—“Love him as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt.” • Proverbs 3:27—“Do not withhold good from the deserving when it is within your power to act.” • Luke 10:33-35—The Samaritan binds wounds, provides lodging, and pays the bill. • 1 Peter 4:9—“Show hospitality to one another without complaining.” • Galatians 6:10—“As we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, especially to those who belong to the household of faith.” Practical Takeaways for Today • Keep margin in your schedule and budget so you can respond when needs arise. • Invite newcomers, singles, or the overlooked into your home for a meal. • Speak peace: a warm greeting can open doors to deeper ministry. • Identify local “squares” where people are vulnerable—streets, shelters, campuses—and bring them into safe community. • Model generosity to your family and church, showing that caring for others is a normal expression of faith. |
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