Righteousness Exalts a Nation

Say HiLET US DO THE RIGHT THINGIn order to understand the facts of this passage (Judges 20), we must read Chapter 19. Chapter 20 is a distortion of Chapter 19 because the Levite involved in this incident aroused the emotion of the people and made them give a jungle justice which brought about the bloodiest civil war between two brothers – the Israelites and the Benjamites. By manipulating the Israelites to avenge the injustice on his behalf, the Levite was able to unite them. But sadly, they were united for a cause that was based on lies and deception.We can learn a great deal of lessons from the passage. On the surface, we see deceit and deception at work. How dark is the heart of man seeking revenge? Judges Chapter 20 tells of a cruel and heartless man who manipulated his countrymen into taking revenge against his enemies for an act of violence which he has indirectly caused. The Levite also deceived himself of all responsibility for the death of his concubine. He hid the truth of him throwing his concubine out to the “perverse men of the city” (19:22, 25). Instead, the Levites blamed the “noblemen of Gibeah” entirely for her death.Children of God, it is easy to fall into the trap of deceit when our emotions are stirred. Tell a tale of injustice, mix it with a spice of lies and soon you will have a potent concoction for disaster. Sometimes in our pursuit for revenge, truth is compromised. Sometimes we struggle hard between what we believe in our hearts to be right and what we see as truth before our eyes. Sometimes knowing the truth hurts but it is always better than any distorted lies. As Christians we must be a community of truth seekers because we are followers of Jesus who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Jesus said, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free” (John 8:32).www.ikoyibaptistchurch.org, instagram.com/@ikoyibaptisthurch, facebook.com/@ikoyibaptistchurch, x.com/@ikoyibaptistchurch.