Neville Goddard on Judges 19:5-9 - Mystical Bible Interpretation

Read Judges 19 in context

Scripture Focus

5And it came to pass on the fourth 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.

6And 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.

7And when the man rose up to depart, his father in law urged him: therefore he lodged there again.

8And he arose early in the morning on the fifth day to depart: and the damsel's father said, Comfort thine heart, I pray thee. And they tarried until afternoon, and they did eat both of them.

9And 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 to morrow get you early on your way, that thou mayest go home.

Judges 19:5-9

Biblical Context

Judges 19:5-9 depicts a cycle of hospitality: the hosts urge the guests to stay, share food, and delay their departure. The scene emphasizes generosity, neighbor-love, and the pull of a merry, gracious heart.

Neville's Inner Vision

Notice that the real 'departure' not taken here is the retreat of your own awareness from being fully content. The damsel's father and the man appear as currents within your I AM, urging you to tarry, to feed the sense of lack, to be content with the present moment as a station of rest. In Neville's terms, the house you inhabit in the dream of life is the state of consciousness, and the 'guests' are your inner dispositions toward mercy and fellowship. When you respond with 'Comfort thine heart' and 'be content, tarry all night,' you are training your mind to dwell in a state of enough-ness, not in want. The repeated invitation to linger is the inner invitation to stay in the feeling that your needs are already supplied and your heart is merry. Thus, the events of Judges become a symbol: your attention can linger in the warmth of generosity until the day ends in the imagination's night, and in the morning you depart still full, not starved by fear. Practice by assuming this station of sufficiency and letting the day end with gratitude.

Practice This Now

Imaginative Act: In a moment of hurry, close your eyes and repeat, 'Comfort thine heart; tarry here in my mind,' then feel the warmth and fullness as if you have already arrived home. Let that inner hospitality linger until your next action arises from that sense of sufficiency.