Why did the man choose not to stay in Jebus, a city of foreigners? Setting the Scene - Judges 19 records a Levite traveling from Bethlehem back to his home in the hill country of Ephraim with his concubine and servant. - They depart late in the day, reach the vicinity of Jebus (early Jerusalem) at sunset, and must decide where to spend the night. Text at the Heart of the Decision Judges 19:11-12: “When they were near Jebus and the day was almost gone, the servant said to his master, ‘Please, come, let us turn aside into this city of the Jebusites and spend the night in it.’ But his master replied, ‘We will not turn aside into a city of foreigners who are not Israelites. Instead, we will go on to Gibeah.’” Why Jebus Felt Unsafe - Foreign Population: Jebusites were Canaanites still occupying Jerusalem (cf. Joshua 15:63). Staying there meant no covenant bond, shared worship, or guaranteed protection. - Unknown Hospitality Standards: In Israelite culture, hospitality carried strong moral weight (Genesis 18:1-8; Hebrews 13:2). Among foreigners, that expectation was uncertain. - Spiritual Concerns: Pagan practices and idolatry characterized Canaanite cities (Deuteronomy 12:29-31). The Levite likely feared spiritual compromise or ritual defilement. - Legal Security: Israel’s cities were bound by the Mosaic law’s protections for travelers (Leviticus 19:33-34). A foreign city would not uphold those statutes. Choosing Covenant Community Instead - Gibeah, though farther, belonged to Benjamin—one of Israel’s tribes—so the Levite expected covenant faithfulness and lawful behavior there. - Psalm 133:1 reminds: “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!” The Levite assumed such harmony within Israel’s borders. - Deuteronomy 23:3-4 excluded certain foreigners from Israel’s assembly “because they did not meet you with bread and water on the way.” That history of inhospitable foreign nations likely influenced his choice. Irony and Cautionary Outcome - The Levite’s confidence in an Israelite town proved tragically misplaced; Gibeah’s people committed shocking wickedness (Judges 19:22-25). - Judges 21:25 concludes, “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes”. The narrative exposes moral collapse even within covenant communities when God’s rule is ignored. Key Takeaways for Today - Covenant relationship with God should guide our decisions, yet discernment remains vital; appearance of safety among “our own” is no guarantee. - True security rests not merely in shared labels but in hearts submitted to God’s Word (Psalm 119:9-11). - Hospitality is a biblical priority; failing in it grieves God and injures community (1 Peter 4:9). |
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