What lessons on compassion can we learn from the old man's actions? Seeing the Need “Just then, an old man was coming in from his work in the field at evening” (Judges 19:16). • After a full day’s labor, he still noticed the Levite and his company in the town square. • True compassion begins with eyes that stay open even when we are tired or busy. • Jesus models this same readiness: “When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion” (Matthew 9:36). Choosing Hospitality over Indifference “He said, ‘Peace to you… only do not spend the night in the square.’ … So he brought him to his house and gave fodder to the donkeys. Then they washed their feet and ate and drank” (Judges 19:20-21). • Hospitality is a tangible expression of mercy (Hebrews 13:2; 1 Peter 4:9). • The old man does not delegate the task; he personally opens his home. • He supplies for both people and animals, reflecting the thorough care God expects (Proverbs 12:10). Crossing Social and Regional Lines He is “from the hill country of Ephraim” yet living among Benjamites (v. 16). • Compassion looks beyond tribe, background, or convenience (Luke 10:33-34, the Samaritan). • God’s people are called to welcome “the foreigner and the sojourner” (Leviticus 19:34). Acting Quickly and Sacrificially • Evening was a dangerous time; delay could have cost lives. • Compassion often carries a price—time, resources, personal comfort (2 Samuel 24:24). • The old man’s urgency mirrors the Lord’s heart: “I will hasten to deliver him” (Psalm 32:7). Protecting the Vulnerable Though the later events of the night turn tragic, the old man’s intent is clear: he stands between the strangers and the hostile crowd (Judges 19:22-23). • Compassion includes courageous protection (Proverbs 31:8-9). • God defends the weak; His servants are to do the same (Psalm 82:3-4). Reflecting God’s Own Kindness • God rescued Israel as helpless strangers in Egypt (Deuteronomy 10:17-19). • When we show mercy, we mirror His character and point others to Him (Matthew 5:16). Practical Takeaways – Stay alert to people on life’s “town square”—those overlooked or stranded. – Invite rather than merely advise; bring needs inside your circle. – Let compassion cross every boundary: ethnicity, denomination, neighborhood. – Move quickly; delays can deepen someone else’s pain. – Be willing to shoulder risk and cost for the sake of the vulnerable. The old man’s brief appearance in Scripture reminds us that genuine compassion is not a feeling we store away; it is an active, hospitable, protective love that reflects the very heart of God. |
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