What This Evil Act Causes…

When I read about the rape of Tamar by her half brother Amnon, her response to him after his suggestive advances, shows her mindset and reveals her character. “Where would I go in my shame? And you would be be called one of the greatest fools in Israel.” She not only thinks about herself but also her brother’s reputation. It shows that she knows society’s view of rape and it’s victims. She knew, well in advance, the repercussions of what this evil acts causes. She even tried to stop it by telling Amnon that if he asked their father David, he would allow him to marry her. Tamar must’ve known God, because she knew all of these things. Sadly, Amnon didn’t listen, and it eventually cost him his life. And so it goes with all who have his same mindset when it comes to sexual behavior. God places boundaries for reasons; our protection is one of them.

10 Then he said to Tamar, “Now bring the food into my bedroom and feed it to me here.” So Tamar took his favorite dish to him. 11 But as she was feeding him, he grabbed her and demanded, “Come to bed with me, my darling sister.”12 “No, my brother!” she cried. “Don’t be foolish! Don’t do this to me! Such wicked things aren’t done in Israel. 13 Where could I go in my shame? And you would be called one of the greatest fools in Israel. Please, just speak to the king about it, and he will let you marry me.”14 But Amnon wouldn’t listen to her, and since he was stronger than she was, he raped her. 15 Then suddenly Amnon’s love turned to hate, and he hated her even more than he had loved her. “Get out of here!” he snarled at her.16 “No, no!” Tamar cried. “Sending me away now is worse than what you’ve already done to me.”But Amnon wouldn’t listen to her. 17 He shouted for his servant and demanded, “Throw this woman out, and lock the door behind her!”18 So the servant put her out and locked the door behind her. She was wearing a long, beautiful robe, as was the custom in those days for the king’s virgin daughters. 19 But now Tamar tore her robe and put ashes on her head. And then, with her face in her hands, she went away crying. 2 Samuel 13:10-19