Our local news is featuring a terrible event that occured recently. 4 teenagers lured a young man into a shed and then did numerous cruel things to him.
The comments are almost as horrendous as the act. While about half are commenting that the incident was HORRIBLE and FRIGHTENING, many others are commenting that he DESERVED IT.
I have no doubts that the young man was not pure and innocent. But violence in response to 'harsh words'? The people who perpetrated this act are dangerous. The people who support these actions are dangerous. Makes me glad that I live in the boonies and am well prepared for someone who decides to bring violence to me and mine.
This type of activity in Portland is VERY historically rooted, leading me to believe that these spiritual strongholds there are well established.
But it also STRONGLY reminded me of a very clear warning that is found in scriptures....
Sharp as a two-edged sword.
Her steps lay hold of hell.
You do not know them.
For my part, I feel terrible for that young man. Maybe he was rude. Maybe he had anger in his heart. But to be so violated and wounded for words.... I pray that YHWH heal his body and his heart.
If I was his mother I would move out of that city, shake the dust off my feet and never look back.
Proverbs 7
7 My son, keep my words,
And treasure my commands within you.
2 Keep my commands and live,
And my law as the apple of your eye.
3 Bind them on your fingers;
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”
And call understanding your nearest kin,
5 That they may keep you from the immoral woman,
From the seductress who flatters with her words.
6 For at the window of my house
I looked through my lattice,
7 And saw among the simple,
I perceived among the youths,
A young man devoid of understanding,
8 Passing along the street near her corner;
And he took the path to her house
9 In the twilight, in the evening,
In the black and dark night.
10 And there a woman met him,
With the attire of a harlot, and a crafty heart.
11 She was loud and rebellious,
Her feet would not stay at home.
12 At times she was outside, at times in the open square,
Lurking at every corner.
13 So she caught him and kissed him;
With an impudent face she said to him:
14 “I have peace offerings with me;
Today I have paid my vows.
15 So I came out to meet you,
Diligently to seek your face,
And I have found you.
16 I have spread my bed with tapestry,
Colored coverings of Egyptian linen.
17 I have perfumed my bed
With myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18 Come, let us take our fill of love until morning;
Let us delight ourselves with love.
19 For my husband is not at home;
He has gone on a long journey;
20 He has taken a bag of money with him,
And will come home on the appointed day.”
21 With her enticing speech she caused him to yield,
With her flattering lips she seduced him.
22 Immediately he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter,
Or as a fool to the correction of the stocks,
23 Till an arrow struck his liver.
As a bird hastens to the snare,
He did not know it would cost his life.
24 Now therefore, listen to me, my children;
Pay attention to the words of my mouth:
25 Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways,
Do not stray into her paths;
26 For she has cast down many wounded,
And all who were slain by her were strong men.
27 Her house is the way to hell,
Descending to the chambers of death.
