We can learn so much from the Bible about how to handle life today.
In this story about sexual abuse in which a woman was gang raped we learn about integrity and standing together against this kind of evil. The book of Judges chapters 19 and 20 – Some men from the tribe of Benjamin did something very wicked, they gang raped, a man’s mistress, (their kinsman for another tribe of Israel who happened to be passing through one of their towns) because they couldn’t get to him. When all the other tribes of Israel found out about it, standing together, they went to battle against the tribe of Benjamin because they wouldn’t give the men up to be held accountable.
Watch the video for the rest of the story.
Judges 19:16- 26
That evening an old man came home from his work in the fields. He was from the hill country of Ephraim, but he was living in Gibeah, where the people were from the tribe of Benjamin. When he saw the travelers sitting in the town square, he asked them where they were from and where they were going. “We have been in Bethlehem in Judah,” the man replied. “We are on our way to a remote area in the hill country of Ephraim, which is my home. I traveled to Bethlehem, and now I’m returning home. But no one has taken us in for the night, even though we have everything we need. We have straw and feed for our donkeys and plenty of bread and wine for ourselves.” “You are welcome to stay with me,” the old man said. “I will give you anything you might need. But whatever you do, don’t spend the night in the square.” So he took them home with him and fed the donkeys. After they washed their feet, they ate and drank together. While they were enjoying themselves, a crowd of troublemakers from the town surrounded the house. They began beating at the door and shouting to the old man, “Bring out the man who is staying with you so we can have sex with him.” The old man stepped outside to talk to them. “No, my brothers, don’t do such an evil thing. For this man is a guest in my house, and such a thing would be shameful. Here, take my virgin daughter and this man’s concubine. I will bring them out to you, and you can abuse them and do whatever you like. But don’t do such a shameful thing to this man.” But they wouldn’t listen to him. So the Levite took hold of his concubine and pushed her out the door. The men of the town abused her all night, taking turns raping her until morning. Finally, at dawn they let her go. At daybreak the woman returned to the house where her husband was staying. She collapsed at the door of the house and lay there until it was light.
You can read the Biblical account in its entirety in chapters 19 and 20 of the Book of Judges.
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