The narrative of the Levite's response and call to action is a significant episode found in the Book of Judges, specifically in Judges 19-21. This account is a poignant illustration of the moral and social chaos that characterized the period of the Judges, a time when "there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25).

Context and Background

The account begins with a Levite from the hill country of Ephraim who takes a concubine from Bethlehem in Judah. After a period of estrangement, the Levite goes to retrieve her from her father's house. On their return journey, they stop in the Benjamite city of Gibeah, where they are offered hospitality by an old man. However, the men of the city, described as "wicked men" (Judges 19:22), surround the house and demand to have relations with the Levite. In a tragic turn of events, the Levite's concubine is given over to the mob and is brutally abused throughout the night, leading to her death.

The Levite's Response

The Levite's response to this atrocity is both dramatic and decisive. He takes the body of his concubine, dismembers it into twelve pieces, and sends them throughout the territory of Israel. This gruesome act serves as a call to action, intended to shock the tribes of Israel into recognizing the gravity of the crime and the moral decay within their society. The Levite's actions are a catalyst for national outrage, as the tribes of Israel respond with the declaration, "Such a thing has never happened or been seen from the day the Israelites came up from the land of Egypt until this day" (Judges 19:30).

Call to Action

The Levite's call to action results in the assembly of the Israelites at Mizpah, where they unite as one body to address the atrocity committed in Gibeah. The tribes demand that the Benjamites hand over the perpetrators, but the tribe of Benjamin refuses, leading to a civil war. The conflict is fierce and results in significant loss of life on both sides, but ultimately, the tribe of Benjamin is nearly annihilated.

The Israelites, recognizing the near extinction of one of their own tribes, take steps to ensure the survival of Benjamin. They devise a plan to provide wives for the remaining Benjamite men, thus preserving the tribe and restoring some measure of unity among the Israelites.

Theological and Moral Implications

The Levite's response and the subsequent call to action highlight several theological and moral themes. Firstly, the narrative underscores the consequences of moral relativism and the absence of godly leadership. The repeated refrain, "In those days there was no king in Israel" (Judges 21:25), serves as a critique of the anarchy and moral decay that ensue when God's law is not upheld.

Secondly, the account illustrates the communal responsibility of the Israelites to uphold justice and righteousness. The collective response to the crime in Gibeah reflects the biblical principle that sin and injustice affect the entire community, necessitating a unified response to restore order and righteousness.

Lastly, the narrative serves as a sobering reminder of the destructive potential of sin and the need for repentance and reconciliation. The near destruction of the tribe of Benjamin is a testament to the devastating consequences of unchecked sin and the importance of seeking God's guidance and mercy in times of moral crisis.