Judg 19

Devotion 1 of 1: Judg 19

The corruption and immorality of Israel deepen in this chapter because there was no king (v.1), and everyone did what was right in his own eyes. One product of this immorality is the cruel treatment of a woman by the men of Gibeah. They sexually abuse a Levite’s concubine all night, and she dies (v.15, 25, 28)! The Levite worsens the tragedy by taking his concubine home, cutting her into 12 pieces and sending the pieces throughout Israel (v.29)!
When men become corrupt, they often take advantage of and abuse women. The leader of a certain country has a history of misogyny (女性蔑視). 26 women have accused him of rape and other sexual crimes, but he has avoided punishment in all but 1 case. In that 1 case, he was found guilty of sexual abuse and was ordered to pay $5M in damages. But because he continued verbal attacks on the woman, she sued him for defamation (名誉毀損) and was awarded an additional $83.3M!
Under such a leader, violence, corruption and sexual abuse will probably explode. He wants to appoint a crony (仲間) politician who is accused of sex crimes with a minor to be his Attorney General (法務省長官). If it happens, it would probably cause great chaos in the Justice Department (法務省).
The leader also wants to appoint a TV news commentator who had been an officer in the military as the Secretary of Defense (防衛省長官). However, it was found out that the man had been accused of sexually assaulting a married woman after drugging her. He then paid her money to keep silent about the incident.
Let’s pray for the leaders of the world not to be lured into corruption, immorality and use of violence so that those vices don't spread in their nations. They face many temptations so they need God’s protection.

JOHN 5: Free sharing!
Jesus said in v.28-29, “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.” Have you ever thought, “How many resurrections will there be?” Let’s examine the Bible once more because I think we might find there are perhaps as many as 4 resurrections of the dead! First, let’s determine when the resurrection of the dead will happen…
1st time: Matt 27:50-53. When Jesus died, the OT saints’ graves opened, and when He arose, they also arose and appeared to many in Jerusalem! Then after 1-2 hours, they ascended to heaven, when Jesus ascended after talking with Mary (John 20:16-17).
2nd time: Rev 11:11-12, 1 Cor 15:51-52; 1 Thes 4:14-17. At the Midtrib rapture return of Christ, the dead in Christ will arise and the living LDC will be raptured.
3rd time: Rev 19:11; Matt 24:29-31. At the Mt. of Olives return of Christ, those who believed during the last half of the tribulation and were killed will arise, and those who believed and are still alive will be raptured.
4th time: Rev 20:7, 11-15. After the Millennium and before the Great White Throne judgment. Unbelievers will arise to receive judgment and condemnation.
Let’s be motivated to win souls to Christ by realizing unbelievers will arise to receive judgment and be cast into the lake of fire! Lord, use us to save thousands of people!