21When King David head all this, he was furious.
This is a perfect response to rape and incest. Anything less would be complicity. Rape and incest violate the very core of our being as human beings. There is no crime I can think of that is more horrific, more violating. David hears of his son Amnon’s actions toward his half-sister and he is enraged. His half-brother, Absalom, bides his time for revenge, and two years later devises a plot to avenge the honor of his sister by killing Amnon. So, what can we learn from this incident in the life of God’s people? One of the lessons I learn is that rape is an almost universally unaccepted act. When someone says that there are no moral absolutes, that we all get to make up our own standards, I point to rape. My argument goes something like this as I paint them in a corner with their own logic. So, you say there are no truths that are for all people, all places all times? (Yes.) Is there anything that is always wrong? (They usually say no.) Then I tell them they don’t believe that and I use the example of rape or incest. I make it personal. If it were you or one of your small children, would it be wrong? (At this point they say yes, unless they are pathologically sick.) Who is to say what is right and wrong? (They are now caught in their own stupidity.) So you do believe in right and wrong. Let’s talk about that moral standard you do have. Then I compare their standard to the love of Jesus. Rape and incest are two non-negotiable moral standards. They are evil acts that deserve punishment. Never forget that.
The Arnold Journey 