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2021-05-04 Keep Her Clean

He who comes from above is above all others; but a child of earth is earthly, and his teaching is earthly, too. ...

The Father loves his Son, and has put everything in his hands. The person who believes in the Son has eternal life, while a person who rejects the Son will not even see that life, but remains under God’s displeasure.

John 3

Recall the story of the Levite, his concubine, and the Benjamites (Judges 19-20). The story parallels Sodom and Gomorrah: they're warned against staying in the town square, surrounded by a lustful homosexual mob, the crowd is offered a virgin to appease their desires. Don't live in Gibeah! Israelites were supposed to be God's people, following His law; how could one of *their* cities behave so wickedly?

The Levite (the husband of the murdered woman (20:4)) failed to protect her. She left him (for her father's house) out of anger or faithlessness. He leaves her to the crowd for convenience or fear. Why, after going through great lengths to retrieve her, would he toss her out on the streets? "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her." The Levite didn't expect to lose his concubine, but certainly wasn't trying to keep her clean.

How should we treat an unfaithful woman? We are the unfaithful. Christ came for us sinners. Follow Him! He won't throw you out, but will faithfully complete His perfecting work in your life.

I will sing to the Lᴏʀᴅ while I live,
  I will play to my God while I am.
May my musing be sweet to him,
  for I rejoice in the Lᴏʀᴅ.
But may sinners be swept from the earth,
  and the wicked vanish forever.

Psalm 104