This verse from Judges 19:30 is part of a horrific narrative describing a gruesome act of violence and its aftermath. Let's break down its meaning:
"It was so, that all who saw it said, “Such a deed has not been done or seen from the day that the children of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt to this day!" This highlights the shocking and unprecedented nature of the event. The phrase "from the day that the children of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt" is a standard Old Testament way to express a very long time, essentially "since the beginning of our nation." The people who witnessed (or were told of) this event were utterly appalled. It was something they had never encountered in their history, suggesting a complete breakdown of moral order.
"Consider it, take counsel, and speak.”" This is a call to action. The people who witnessed this atrocity are urged to:
Consider it: Think deeply about the implications of what happened. Reflect on the severity of the sin and its potential consequences for the entire community.
Take counsel: Discuss the event with others. Seek wisdom and guidance from elders, leaders, or wise individuals. Don't act rashly; deliberate and plan.
Speak: Take a stand and express their views. Don't remain silent in the face of such wickedness. Communicate the need for justice and action.
In Summary:
The verse from Judges 19:30 serves to:
Emphasize the extraordinary and abhorrent nature of the crime committed.
Evoke a sense of outrage and disbelief.
Call for communal reflection, deliberation, and decisive action to address the situation and restore order.
The overall context of Judges 19 is crucial. A Levite's concubine is brutally raped and murdered in the town of Gibeah, which belonged to the tribe of Benjamin. The Levite then dismembers her body and sends the pieces throughout Israel to incite outrage and demand justice.
This verse captures the initial reaction to that act, urging the people of Israel to consider the gravity of what had happened and to determine how to respond. It's a call for the community to confront the darkness that has taken root within them and to take action to prevent such atrocities from happening again. Unfortunately, their response leads to a bloody and tragic civil war, demonstrating the disastrous consequences of their internal divisions and moral decay.
This verse from Judges 19:30 is part of a horrific narrative describing a gruesome act of violence and its aftermath. Let's break down its meaning:
"It was so, that all who saw it said, “Such a deed has not been done or seen from the day that the children of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt to this day!" This highlights the shocking and unprecedented nature of the event. The phrase "from the day that the children of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt" is a standard Old Testament way to express a very long time, essentially "since the beginning of our nation." The people who witnessed (or were told of) this event were utterly appalled. It was something they had never encountered in their history, suggesting a complete breakdown of moral order.
"Consider it, take counsel, and speak.”" This is a call to action. The people who witnessed this atrocity are urged to:
Consider it: Think deeply about the implications of what happened. Reflect on the severity of the sin and its potential consequences for the entire community.
Take counsel: Discuss the event with others. Seek wisdom and guidance from elders, leaders, or wise individuals. Don't act rashly; deliberate and plan.
Speak: Take a stand and express their views. Don't remain silent in the face of such wickedness. Communicate the need for justice and action.
In Summary:
The verse from Judges 19:30 serves to:
Emphasize the extraordinary and abhorrent nature of the crime committed.
Evoke a sense of outrage and disbelief.
Call for communal reflection, deliberation, and decisive action to address the situation and restore order.
The overall context of Judges 19 is crucial. A Levite's concubine is brutally raped and murdered in the town of Gibeah, which belonged to the tribe of Benjamin. The Levite then dismembers her body and sends the pieces throughout Israel to incite outrage and demand justice.
This verse captures the initial reaction to that act, urging the people of Israel to consider the gravity of what had happened and to determine how to respond. It's a call for the community to confront the darkness that has taken root within them and to take action to prevent such atrocities from happening again. Unfortunately, their response leads to a bloody and tragic civil war, demonstrating the disastrous consequences of their internal divisions and moral decay.