Judges 19 1 And it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Israel, that there was a certain LeviteLevite sojourning on the side of Mount Mount EphraimEphraim, who took to him a concubine out of Bethlehem-judah.

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This Levite had a wife, but was notwas not content with her.

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In Proverbs chapter five, a son is admonished to be happybe happy with the wife of his youth.

God has never permittednever permitted a man to have more than one womanone woman,

Nor a woman to have more than one manone man.

Many have done so, contrarycontrary to the Expressed Will of GodWill of God.

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They have always sufferedsuffered for their rebellion.

Sin always comes at a huge costhuge cost,

And we know not the price, until we pay itpay it.

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When we learn the pricelearn the price, it's always more than

we can pay.

"If I had knownknown that would happen,

I wouldn't have done what I didwhat I did."

Only path of blessingblessing:

The Joy and Peace The Joy and Peace of God. of God.

2 And his concubine played the whore against him, and went away from him unto her father's house to Bethlehem-judah, and was there four whole monthsfour whole months.

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The Bible doesn't tell us how old either of them was,

But I see him as an old manold man taking a young trophy wifetrophy wife.

She played the whore against him, and then ran home to daddy.

3 And her husband arose (after four months), and went after her, to speak friendly unto her, and to bring her again, having his servant with him, and a couple of asses: and she brought him into her father's house: and when the father of the damsel saw him, he rejoiced to meet himhe rejoiced to meet him. 4 And his father-in-law, the damsel's father, retained him; and he abode with him three days: so they did eat and drink, and lodged there.

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5 And it came to pass on the fourth dayfourth day, when they arose early in the morning, that he rose up to depart: and the damsel's father said unto his son-in-law, Comfort thine heart with a morsel of bread, and afterward go your way. 6 And they sat down, and did eat and drink both of them together: for the damsel's father had said unto the man, Be content, I pray thee, and tarry all night, and let thine heart be merry.

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7 And when the man rose up to depart, his father- in-law urged him: therefore he lodged there again. 8 And he arose early in the morning on the fifth dayfifth day to depart: and the damsel's father said, Comfort thine heart, I pray thee. And they tarried until afternoonafternoon, and they did eat both of them.

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This Levite needed the self-disciplineself-discipline to go home when he plannedplanned to go home.

We all need to havehave a plan and workwork the plan.

A long journeylong journey needs a good start;

Light breakfast, no wineno wine, hit the road.

9 And when the man rose up to depart, he, and his concubine, and his servant, his father-in-law, the damsel's father, said unto him, Behold, now the day draweth toward evening, I pray you tarry all night: behold, the day groweth to an end, lodge here, that thine heart may be merry; and tomorrowtomorrow get you earlyearly on your way, that thou mayest go home.

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This was actually good advicegood advice, but the Levite won't hear it.

A late startlate start will bring about a sad journeysad journey.

10 But the man would not tarry that night, but he rose up and departed, and came over against Jebus, which is Jerusalem; and there were with him two asses saddled, his concubine also was with him.

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6 miles

11 And when they were by Jebus, the day was far spent; and the servant said unto his master, Come, I pray thee, and let us turn in into this city of the Jebusites, and lodge in it.

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"Boss, it's time to get off of the road. Let's turn in here and spend the night."

More good advicegood advice he didn't hear.

Proverbs 19 20 Hear counselHear counsel, and receive receive instructioninstruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. 21 There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lordcounsel of the Lord, that shall stand.

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To hear and heed good and godlygood and godly counsel is the markmark of a wise man.

To be too proud to heartoo proud to hear counsel and receive instruction will ruin your liferuin your life.

The Counsel of the Lord The Counsel of the Lord will will standstand..

12 And his master said unto him, We will not turn aside hither into the city of a stranger, that is not of the children of Israel; we will pass over to Gibeah. 13 And he said unto his servant, Come, and let us draw near to one of these places to lodge all night, in Gibeah, or in Ramah. 14 And they passed on and went their way; and the sun went downsun went down upon them when they were by Gibeah, which belongeth to BenjaminBenjamin.

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Four more milesFour more miles to Gibeah, and now it's after sundownafter sundown.

15 And they turned aside thither, to go in and to lodge in Gibeah: and when he went in, he sat him down in a street of the city: for there was no man that took them into his house to lodging.

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Unfriendly cityIt's sad but trueIt's sad but true: Sometimes the people of the

world are nicernicer than the people of God.

This Levite, his concubine, and his servant would have been better offbeen better off with the Jebusites.

Matthew 5 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your lightLet your light so shine before men, that they may see your good worksyour good works, and glorify your Fatheryour Father which is in Heaven.

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God is our Father; we should have His traitsHis traits.

1 John 4 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is loveGod is love.

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Love suffers long and is kind.Unfortunately, a patient Christianpatient Christian is a rare find.

It almost seems likeseems like an oxymoron,

Like military intelligencemilitary intelligence or honest honest politicianpolitician.Many even come to church in a hurry;

"Let's do it and get it over with."

The traits of Love are the traits of God.

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Love does not envy, but rejoices when others are blessed.

Love is not proud or arrogant, and does not brag.

Love doesn't act ugly, is not rude, and is more concerned with other folks than with self.

In other words, love doesn't seek its own wayits own way.

Love doesn't try to manipulatemanipulate.

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The traits of Love are the traits of God.Love is slow to be angered or aggravated, and does

not hold a grudge when someone does him wrong.

Love is loyal, no matter what the cost.

Love trusts, looks for the best in people, and above all, Love never failsLove never fails.

When these traits are evidentevident in my life, then my lightmy light is shining for Jesus.

May we learn to loveto love one another as Godas God loves us.