The Pastor Who Sleeps Through Sin and Suffering | Judges 19:24-26

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

And Happy New Year—today is January 1, 2026! As we step into a new year of studying God’s Word, let’s begin by asking Him to renew our courage and conviction.

Read more about Project23 and partner with us as we teach every verse of the Bible on video.

Our text today is Judges 19:24-26.

“Behold, here are my virgin daughter and his concubine; let me bring them out now. Violate them and do with them what seems good to you, but against this man do not do this outrageous thing.” But the men would not listen to him. So the man seized his concubine and made her go out to them. And they knew her and abused her all night until the morning. And as the dawn began to break, they let her go. And as morning appeared, the woman came and fell down at the door of the man’s house where her master was, until it was light.” — Judges 19:24-26

The horror of this passage is hard to read. The Levite—a man we might call a pastor today—shows no concern for his "girlfriend". He once pursued her, but not out of love—out of pride and control. When danger came, he threw her to the mob to save himself and then slept through the night while she suffered. The “pastor” slept through sin and suffering, proving that apathy is just as dangerous as outright evil.

The old man was no better, offering his own daughter to protect his reputation. Both men reflected a world that had lost God’s heart—where leadership was selfish, morality was twisted, and compassion had collapsed.

We see this same crisis today. Some pulpits have gone silent while the culture burns. Many churches have grown comfortable, preaching peace while ignoring perversion. Leaders fear cancelation more than conviction, and believers trade boldness for belonging. It’s the same sickness—call it the "Levite spirit"—that values comfort over courage and self-preservation over sacrifice.

When those called to lead stop leading, darkness fills the void. When shepherds sleep, the sheep scatter.

This is why we must awaken. Apathy may look harmless, but it's not. It destroys us, the church, the culture, and the innocent. The Church must rise again—not in outrage, but in obedience. We must stand for life, truth, and purity before compromise becomes collapse.

Now is the time to take courage. To speak the truth. To defend the innocent. To reject passive faith and rise up in active conviction. And as we step into a new year, let this be our spiritual reset. The world may celebrate resolutions, but we resolve to stand for righteousness, to begin this year with conviction that does not waver and courage that does not fade.

ASK THIS:

1. Who in your life is suffering because of someone’s silence?
2. Where have you chosen comfort over courage?
3. What fears keep you from standing up for what’s right?
4. How can you defend the vulnerable in your circle this week?

DO THIS:

• Identify one injustice or moral issue you’ve ignored—pray and take one small stand this week.
• Talk to your family about courage—teach them that silence is never neutral.
• Practice boldness in small things so you’ll be ready for big ones.

PRAY THIS:

Lord, wake me up from complacency. Give me courage to stand for the innocent and to speak truth when it costs me. Let my faith be marked by conviction, not convenience. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

“Take Courage.”