Families Reconciled in the Lord

For Parents.

Ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Eph. 6:4.

For Children.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord; for this is right. Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise: that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. Eph. 6:1-3.

http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php

 



It is said that blood is thicker than water. What exactly does that mean, anyway? For many it means that we are to stand by and support the lifestyles and actions of family no matter how dysfunctional it gets. For some it might even mean lying for a family member in order to keep them from being incarcerated. Key words in Martin Luther's admonition to obey your parents are the words "in the Lord." God always is the highest authority in our lives. He is our heavenly Father. If He says not to do something, don't do it. If He calls you to do something then just do it. Parents should never provoke or encourage their children to do something that is wrong in the eyes of our Father in heaven.

 

Family is an awesome gift from God. Families make mistakes. They hurt one another. If the family would turn to the Lord they could and would find a way out of the messes that they have wandered into. In turning to the way of the Lord we can find forgiveness and reconciliation. Family is a very good thing. However, we also know that there are times when parents can become so dysfunctional; provoking their children to wrath, encouraging them to do hurtful things to themselves and others; encouraging them to not follow in the ways of the Lord. What is a child to do?

 

Sometimes, even though the parents have done all they could to bring up their children in the way of the Lord, children will turn against their parents, as well. What is a parent to do?

 

For the parents and children who find themselves in these situations and alone without family, don't stop praying for each other that you might all be reconciled in the Lord. Remember, too, that you are a child of God. There is a blood that is thicker than blood and that is the blood of Christ that was shed for you. Our heavenly Father is always with you to support and encourage you in the way that you should go.

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Husbands and Wives

Honor One Another!

For Husbands.

Ye husbands, dwell with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers be not hindered. 1 Pet. 3:7. And be not bitter against them. Col. 3:9.

For Wives.

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord, even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord; whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. 1 Pet. 3:6; Eph. 5:22.

http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php

 

I am not quite sure what Martin Luther meant when he wrote that husbands should dwell with their wives according to knowledge. Was there some specific knowledge he was speaking about or was he merely saying "Don't be stupid! Treat your wives with honor."?

 

Yesterday, my husband and I held a graduation party for our eldest granddaughter. He was setting tables and chairs out. Cassie and I were preparing the meal when my husband pointed out that I didn't make the coffee the way he thought it ought to be made. I have been making the morning coffee for almost forty-four years. Forty years ago, letting me know that he didn't think that I knew how to make coffee would have been fighting words. Yesterday, I let him remake the coffee without saying a word.

 

As we grow old; as we grow in faith; as we grow in love for one another; we find that there are just some things that are not worth arguing about. We remember that we are both heirs of God's grace and mercy. Respect and honor one another that you might live in peace with one another all the days of your life.

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Pay Tribute To Caesars

What Subjects Owe to the Magistrates.

Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's. Matt. 22:21. Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers, etc. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience' sake. For, for this cause pay ye tribute also; for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom, to whom custom; fear, to whom fear; honor, to whom honor. Rom. 13:1,5ff. I exhort, therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men; for kings and for all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 1 Tim. 2:1f Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, etc. Titus 3:1. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether it be to the king as supreme, or unto governors as unto them that are sent by him, etc. 1 Pet. 2:13f ]

http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php

 

The Small Catechism today reminds us of pretty much the same as yesterday. Those who are in places of authority ought to be respected. At the very least we need to respect the office. Rather than ridicule and berate those whose policies we do not like. We need to pray for them. Find peaceable means to make your concerns known. In this country, at least, they are available. Use these means, not just for your own sake; but, for the sake of others. Respect the office of the authorities that have been called to serve. Respect it and do no harm to those who hold these offices. Render unto them the honor due to them.

 

In Matthew 22:21, Jesus tells us that we are to "Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's." This passage deals specifically with paying taxes. Yes, there are problems with the tax laws. They are very complex. They appear very inequitable. The Internal Revenue Service has had and probably still has some serious internal problems. But, the way to change things is not to cheat or lie. We have entered into a time of discernment as candidates for our next president have begun to let us know what they believe. Pay attention. If you want the tax system changed, vote accordingly at all elections. 

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Honor Your Father and Mother

The Fourth Commandment.

Thou shalt honor thy father and thy mother [that it may be well with thee and thou mayest live long upon the earth].

What does this mean?--Answer.
We should fear and love God that we may not despise nor anger our parents and masters, but give them honor, serve, obey, and hold them in love and esteem.

(http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php)

 

In this fourth commandment we are told that we are to honor those who have authority over us so that it may be well with us and that we might live long upon the earth.  Think about the chaos in so many homes and our school systems because many young people; rather than honor their parents or teachers, are allowed (and sometimes encouraged by other people in authority) to be outright disrespectful; defiantly rejecting all authority. How much learning can be done in this kind of environment? How many children are being taught to disrespect and connive against our police officers who have sworn to protect us? It makes it very difficult to serve and protect or teach anyone when one is being cursed at or emotionally or even physically attacked.

 

God has given each of us people in our lives who are meant to teach and guide us; to care for us. Parents, police officers, teachers, doctors, employers are just a few examples of such people today. Sadly, not all of them have our best interests at heart. There are those who think that everything should be done for their glory to the detriment even of their children and those who might work for them.  Martin Luther reminds us, in the Large Catechism, that even though the Commandments do not speak directly to the duties of those in authority; scripture reminds us all that we are to love and care for one another. This applies to parents as well as others who might have the duties to teach or care for or protect us. If we teach our children that it is all right to disrespect others; they may also learn to disrespect us.

 

We should honor all in positions of authority and those in authority would be wise to guide those who they have authority over; to teach them the ways of the Lord. If honor, respect, and even integrity could make a come-back; then we would all live long and peacefully upon the earth.

 

Pr. J

 

P.S. I confess that while writing this blog this morning, I have been biased by knowing too many   parents who encourage their children to be blatantly disrespectful toward others and who also encourage their children to use alcohol and other drugs as well as to promiscuity.

Rev 5: Lamb of God

Rev 5 NIV
"Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."

No one was found worthy to break the seal and open the scroll except for the lion of Judah who is the lamb of God. Jesus was deemed worthy because he was slain and with his blood he purchased for God people from every tribe and language and nation. (vs 9) He alone died for the sins of the world. He is worthy to be praised. And... in this vision of John, he is praised. Every creature in heaven and on earth praises him saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” (vs 13)

What an awesome vision this must have been! All people will come before the lamb who was slain for them. For those who have believed in him it will be a most joyous moment. For others it may not be quite so joyful. Jesus died for all people. He desires that all who would believe in him would follow him in his kingdom. He died for you. Receive him into your life. Enter into the kingdom of God as a priest to serve our God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Col 2:16-23 Angels

Colossians 2:16-23 NIV
St. Paul wrote:  "Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you." (vs 18) So what about angels? Every now and then I am jolted by the reality that someone I know depends on angels more than they depend on Jesus.

Just because something or someone exists in the spiritual realms does not mean that we should worship them or put our trust in them. We do not worship the creature. Rather, we ought to worship and put our trust in the one who has charge over the spiritual realms; the one who created the spiritual realms; the one who created all things.

Angels have many purposes. Some are messengers. Some have been deliverers of God judgment. Some are ministering spirits. Angels ministered to Jesus after his temptations by the devil in the wilderness. Angels are beings created by God to serve according to God's will.

We are not to worship angels. We cannot serve two gods. Angels did not create you. They, themselves, are created beings. Angels did not die for you. Jesus did. By worshipping and honoring angels; by lifting them up more than we lift us Christ, we lose the connection we have with the head, from whom the whole body grows, who is Jesus the Christ. We are to worship the one who has charge over angels and not the angels.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Eph 6:1-9 Honor or Exasperate?

Ephesians 6:1-9 NIV

Serve one another as if we were serving Jesus;
even as Jesus serves us.

There are times in life when loved ones; bosses, even the government just totally exasperate us. There are times when we are asked to do things that we would just prefer not to do. Some of these things might trouble our consciences so much that we must take a stand and say no.

But, most of the time we must reexamine our motives for saying no. Will our "no" really glorify God? Will the "no" really be service to God? St. Paul reminds us that we should honor and not exasperate others. We are to serve others wholeheartedly, as if we were serving the Lord and not people.

There are definitely people that come into most of our lives that we would rather not be around and  not wish to serve. In times like these I remember the love of God and how Jesus served all people. He ate with sinners. He said he came to heal the sick not the healthy; the sinner not the righteous. (Matt 9:11-13)

He would also remind us:
     "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me."
     "The King will reply, Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’" (Matt  25:35,36,40)

As we approach Holy Week another incident that resounds in my heart and mind is when after Peter had denied Jesus, Jesus asks him if he loves him. Peter says, "Yes, Lord." And, Jesus responds: "Feed my sheep." (John 21:17) 

There are definitely times that we must say "no" because we know that our "yes" would cause more  harm to others by sending them down a wrong path even further away from Christ. But, it would be most beneficial to make sure that our "no" is motivated by our desire to serve Christ and not our self-centeredness or our personal judgments of what is right or wrong.

Honor, respect, love others as though they were Christ. God does not discriminate. It is probably a good idea that we don't either.

God's Peace - Pr. J
 

Acts 12:20-25 Give Glory To God

Acts 12:20-25 NIV
I am pretty sure that Herod was quite pleased that his enemies from Tyre and Sidon had to humble themselves and go to him so that they might be able to eat and live. They were running out of food; so they did what they could to get it. They pretended to honor Herod; they feigned peace for food. When they got it, they lifted up Herod as though he were some kind of god.

Herod did not correct them. He did not stop them. Being of the lineage of Esau, Herod should have known a little better than that. But, his ego allowed the people to praise him as a god and he was struck down immediately by an angel of the Lord.

It is really not a good idea for God's people to take credit for what God has accomplished through us. May God help us to always give glory to God. After all; He does always have the final word.

Pr. J

Luke 13:10-17 Bound and Free

Luke 13:10-17 NIV
I often wonder about being in bondage. I wonder how much I should allow myself to be bound to things of this world if indeed I am free in Christ. We are indeed free in Christ to serve God and one another. However, we (most of us) are bound to something here on earth. Work schedules, bosses, family members, friends and acquaintances regulate what we do and when we do it. Not long ago, I went with a tour group to Ireland. Even the vacation regulated so that at times I felt like we were chained to a schedule. I also have to be very careful about making plans with my grandchildren. I have to give them a lot of maybes or we'll see... If I agree to do something, they expect me to do it. No matter what else might come up, they get pretty upset if the schedule ends up changed. They insist on me being bound to my word, even if it was not a promise, but a suggestion.

Now, commitments are usually good things. A commitment to worship God on Sundays (or any and everyday) is an excellent thing. But, in our parable today of Jesus healing a woman on the Sabbath, Jesus reminds us that there is more to worship and honoring God than keeping Sabbath law or traditions. When someone is in need, the schedule must be flexible enough to help them.

In Christ, we are free to be bound to love and serve. By his blood, we have been set free to worship and serve our God and to love and serve our neighbors, as well.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Isaiah 29 - Works Without Faith Is Dead

"The Lord says:

“These people come near to me with their mouth
and honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
Their worship of me
is based on merely human rules they have been taught.
Therefore once more I will astound these people
with wonder upon wonder;
the wisdom of the wise will perish,
the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish.”
Woe to those who go to great depths
to hide their plans from the Lord,
who do their work in darkness and think,
“Who sees us? Who will know?"" (Isa 29:13-15)
 

Sunday morning rituals and then the rest of the week what do we do? On Sunday mornings we praise the LORD with our lips, but how much honor do we give the LORD during the rest of the week? Some of the saddest moments of my life is when I realize someone worships on Sunday morning purely out of ritual or because they think this "act" is the good work that will grant them eternal life. Or, maybe, it's to enhance their political or business life. I assure you, works without faith is useless.

James tells us (James 2:17-19)  "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder." 

I know! I know! Martin Luther was not impressed with James. He considered it an "epistle of straw." But, think for a moment... If we have faith - that is a living faith, we will live that faith and it will show in all that we say and do and that goes beyond Sunday morning. Likewise works without faith is useless for our or any one's salvation. Faith, indeed, will produce good works. It is a natural outflowing of our faith and our love of God. Showing up on Sunday morning and not worshipping and honoring God, not living in the Way, the rest of the week is merely a once a week (or month or year) good work.  Maybe we attend this worship service it's because we like the people there or that the people actually do good works. Maybe, it's the preacher you like or maybe you are just paying your dues - just in case - to appease God. Hopefully, the Word you hear during that one hour on Sunday morning will produce the faith you have pretended to have.

You can pretend all you want. Maybe the pretending will become a reality for you. I don't know. There is a 12-step motto that tells us to "fake it 'till you make it." Who knows, it might work. God can accomplish great things through little steps.

But, let us not think that God does not know our motivation? That even though on the outside (on Sunday morning) it looks like we are worshipping; but, in reality we might be just serving self. We might be able to hide it some of the time from some of the people, maybe even all of the people. (Except your Pastor - there's a good chance he/she already knows your motivation) But, you cannot hide your motivation, your plans, from the LORD, ever! He promised to be with you always and He is. Do you think He does not see what you don't want Him to see. Don't delude yourself into thinking that somehow you can hide the fact that there are other things that you put before God during the rest of the week.

Real faith produces good works. It will inspire us to worship and honor God and to feed His sheep, so to speak, the rest of the week.

May God bless the words of our lips, the meditations of our hearts and minds, the work of our hands and every step that we take that all may honor and glorify God, our Creator and Redeemer. Amen
(OK - so I revised that last prayer a little bit)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

P.S. Sorry so late today. The power went off before I could post about 6 a.m.. In the meantime, I planted some flowers and went kayaking. Have a blessed day!

Proverbs 18 - Unfriendly Customer Service and Government Offices

"An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels. Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions." 18:1-2 NIV

^"One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys." (18:9)

^"Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor." (18:12)

We had some errands to do out of town the other day. It was a strange day. So many unfriendly people. We were able to laugh about it all at dinner, but while it was happening it was not so funny.

Now, I know that "Can I help you?" on a typed page may seem friendly enough, but it is not always about what one says, but how you say it. Be careful who you are treating like a criminal. This is, after all, the week that we are reminded often that Jesus, Himself, was treated like a criminal. Customer service representatives should remember that the department store you work in hired you to serve not interrogate customers. The store you work at may lose a customer and more. Your boss may find out why you lost a customer. You may be looking for a new job. Think a little ahead of your lips. Unemployment is high right now. There are people looking for work - lots of them. We heard "attitude" more than once on that little outing.  I don't know... maybe I shouldn't have worn my comfy, but worn flannel shirt that day. Did I look like a criminal?

These days, I like doing most of my shopping and business online or by telephone. I have to drive a distance to get to a lot of stores and it gets a bit tiring running into unfriendly people. It is a relief that so many government offices are doing business on-line now. It makes it quicker. I don't have to drive an hour to get there. And... the people online or on the telephone just seem friendlier for the most part.

Another of our stops was a government office. That was a fiasco! I know, that there is a lot of fear among people today. But, homeland security, should be a bit more friendly than what we experienced. Again, maybe it was my flannel shirt or maybe my teen-age granddaughter wasn't smiling enough or maybe my husband who is a graying, retired Marine made him nervous, or maybe it was my 40 year old sons very short crew-cut... I don't know what set the security guard off. I was the first to walk in to the building. I was the first who was told, with glaring eyes and that "tone" to "check in" without directions on how to check in. Actually, I did not realize that he was a security guard until much later when he started playing with his gun. I thought maybe he was someone with untreated mental health issues that had wandered in. He was, after all, just sitting there in the lobby, just staring. After I took a number, we waited for about 10  minutes to be called. We were the only ones there. We waited under the watchful, glaring eye of the homeland security guard. He never took his eyes off of us. Someone needs to tell him (and any others like him) that those taxpayers you try to intimidate really are your employers. And... someone should also tell you that those intimidating tactics actually start quarrels. He obviously did not know that.

Sadly, it seems, there are a few too many (one is too many) unfriendly people in the customer service business who are really there just for the paycheck. There are a few public servants, who get paid enough for two families to live well, who really ought to be a bit more thankful to the other taxpayers that they still have jobs. (I can see one place where the federal budget can be cut) There are too many people in the service industry who do not seem to care to hear what the customer or client wants or why they are there.

Don't get me wrong. I am not really anti-social and although I joke about being a hermit, I really am not. I like to be out and about in my own county (Baraga County). I actually enjoy shopping in the local stores. Family Dollar is great! The people at Family Dollar know how to greet you. They are friendly people and will help you. It's only when I leave the county that I seem to run into trouble. Not sure, maybe I really do look like the sinner that I am.

This is Holy Week and we remember that Jesus was a servant to all. The King of kings was not here to be served. He was here and is here to serve at all costs. He gave His life freely. Would courtesy be asking too much of those we actually pay to serve?

God's Peace - Pr. J

Proverbs 3 - Wisdom To Live By

Words of wisdom... words to live by.  I am not writing anything this morning. So often, when I'm writing sermons, I think: "Why should I preach on this? The scripture speaks for itself. My words cannot make it any clearer. Let it stand as is." So, this morning especially since I'm thinking that not all of you are reading the scripture that goes with the blog daily, I am going to do just that and may God open our eyes, our hearts and our minds to a greater understanding of His word, His will for us.  God's Peace - Pr. J   P.S. On Palm/Passion Sunday there will be no sermon - only the word heard from scripture.

Psalm 3 (NIV)
¹My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
² for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you peace and prosperity.

³ Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
⁴ Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.

⁷ Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord and shun evil.
⁸ This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.

⁹ Honor the Lord with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;
¹⁰ then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.

¹¹ My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline,
and do not resent his rebuke,
¹² because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
as a father the son he delights in.^[b]

¹³ Blessed are those who find wisdom,
those who gain understanding,
¹⁴ for she is more profitable than silver
and yields better returns than gold.
¹⁵ She is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.
¹⁶ Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.
¹⁷ Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace.
¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her;
those who hold her fast will be blessed.

¹⁹ By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations,
by understanding he set the heavens in place;
²⁰ by his knowledge the watery depths were divided,
and the clouds let drop the dew.

²¹ My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,
preserve sound judgment and discretion;
²² they will be life for you,
an ornament to grace your neck.
²³ Then you will go on your way in safety,
and your foot will not stumble.
²⁴ When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
²⁵ Have no fear of sudden disaster
or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
²⁶ for the Lord will be at your side
and will keep your foot from being snared.

²⁷ Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in your power to act.
²⁸ Do not say to your neighbor,
“Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”—
when you already have it with you.
²⁹ Do not plot harm against your neighbor,
who lives trustfully near you.
³⁰ Do not accuse anyone for no reason—
when they have done you no harm.

³¹ Do not envy the violent
or choose any of their ways.

³² For the Lord detests the perverse
but takes the upright into his confidence.
³³ The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the home of the righteous.
³⁴ He mocks proud mockers
but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.
³⁵ The wise inherit honor,
but fools get only shame.

Psalm 62 - None are Good

"God has spoken once, Twice I have heard this: That power belongs to God. Also to You, O Lord, belongs mercy; For You render to each one according to his work." (Psalm 62:11,12 NKJV)

I'm never quite sure why the Psalmist thinks he is so good and everyone else is so bad.

^"'Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.'" (Luke 18:19-20)

If God rewards everyone for what we have done, we are all in big trouble.  Has anyone really followed faithfully, doing only what they ought, all the days of their lives?  If we trusted in our own good works for our relationship with God, we would not have one.  Fortunately, for us, God in His infinite grace and mercy, in His unfailing love, established a new covenant with us.  This covenant is not based on what we have done for God, but what God has done for us, through the giving of His only begotten Son, Jesus the Christ. 

I don't mean to imply that we should not be doing good. If we are truly grateful for this loving gift of eternal life, we would truly love the One who first loved us and not just pay lip service to Him. This does not mean that we are free to do anything we want to please ourselves.  It does not mean that we are free to trample on the name of the LORD, or our neighbors so that we might please ourselves.  It means that we are free, by the power of God, to love and serve God and our neighbors.  We are free to be in relationship with God and one another.  In the knowledge that we are free from the power of sin, death and the devil, we actively seek to love as God loves us. Because of the covenant God has made with us with the blood of Jesus, we are forgiven.  Our sins are blotted out.  The slate is wiped clean through faith in the One who died for us.  The only works that God will recall on that last day are those things that were not blotted out - those things that Jesus did through us. Our salvation and honor depend on God; He is our Rock and our Refuge.

"Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord."

Have you been refreshed, by the power of God, by the Spirit, of Christ, so that He might live in and through you, to the glory of His holy name?  All honor and power and glory belong to God.  Find rest in His unfailing love.

God's Peace - Pr. J   P.S.  Been thinking about this some more.  If the Psalmist was indeed David, David was only good in that he believed God.

Judges 20 - Assault on Benjamin

Lots of good stuff in the reading this morning.  There's the military tactics and the fact that the LORD lets so many of the other tribes be slaughtered before they actually win the battle.  As I read this chapter though and about the thousands upon thousands that died in this 3 day battle, I thought about why they died, why they went to war in the first place.  Some very perverse men in Gibeah decide they want to have their way with the Levite.  The Levite gives them his concubine in his place and then when she dies, not acknowledging his own cowardice and guilt in giving her, incites Israel to take vengeange for her life.  He incites them against an entire clan because of a few men's actions and thousands upon thousands men on both sides die. 

How many wars have been started similarly?  Thousands upon thousands die to find and put to death a minority that commit atrocities against humankind.  Countries allow rulers to persecute, torture and murder innocent men, women and children for political purposes and then...  Then, when it gets so huge that the world cannot help but acknowledge the atrocities, the rest of the world decides they should help the innocent.  The problem is, at this late date, even more innocent will die in order to stop those barbaric rulers. 

So this morning, I wonder why the people of Gibeah allowed men to live in such a way that would eventually stir up all of Israel against them.  I wonder too, about this Levite, this priest, who gave a woman to suffer for him and then, not acknowledging his own cowardice, stirred up a battle where so many of his own people died - in a sense defending his honor - honor that he did not have in the first place.