How does Judges 19:17 connect to Jesus' teachings on loving strangers? Setting the Scene in Judges 19:17 “ ‘When he looked up and saw the traveler in the city square, the old man asked, “Where are you going, and where do you come from?” ’ ” Why That Simple Question Matters • The old man immediately notices a vulnerable stranger. • He initiates contact rather than waiting to be approached. • His words open the door to offer shelter, protection, and fellowship—life-preserving actions in a violent city (Judges 19:18-21). Hospitality as a Covenant Expectation • Leviticus 19:34—“The stranger who dwells with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself.” • Deuteronomy 10:18-19—God “loves the foreigner,” so Israel must do the same. • Judges 19 shows what happens when society forgets that covenant ethic; Gibeah’s wickedness is contrasted with the lone Ephraimite who remembers it. Jesus Deepens the Same Command • Matthew 22:39—“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” • Matthew 7:12—“In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.” • Luke 10:30-37—The Good Samaritan embodies the very hospitality missing in Gibeah; mercy makes someone a true neighbor. • Matthew 25:35—“I was a stranger and you invited Me in.” Welcoming outsiders equals welcoming Christ. Connecting Judges 19:17 to Jesus’ Teaching 1. Immediate Compassion: Old man’s quick invitation parallels Jesus’ expectation of spontaneous care. 2. Risk for the Stranger: Both scenes involve danger; real love accepts personal cost (John 15:13). 3. Exposure of Heart: Gibeah’s citizens reject the stranger, mirroring those in Matthew 25:41-43 who ignore Christ in disguise. 4. Continuity of God’s Character: From the Law through the Prophets to Jesus, hospitality reveals God’s unchanging love for the marginalized. Practical Takeaways • Keep eyes open—notice outsiders in church, neighborhood, workplace. • Initiate conversation; a simple “Where are you from?” can be a doorway to ministry. • Offer concrete help: a meal, a ride, a place to stay, relational support (Hebrews 13:2). • Remember whom you represent—welcoming strangers is welcoming Jesus Himself. |
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