Judges 20:36-21:25
How fitting that the last verse of Judges tells us one more time "In those days. . . everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25). We've seen this all the way through Judges and we've even given it a closer look ourselves here on the P4 blog. But, it just seemed appropriate to turn our focus back to this problem and consider it again today especially with as much as God highlights this issue for us.
So what has Judges shown you about following your own wants and thinking? Was there any particular story or scenario that highlighted this problem and helped you understand it better? Any other thoughts on Judges? Tami W.
Too often we who have accepted Jesus as our Savior hear the remarks made from many that, "A loving God would not send anyone to hell or would not allow such and such".
It is our duty as believers to know God's word and defend it boldly on such occasions. Who are we to tell the creator of the universe what is the fair or loving response in any situation. We as a people try to often to make God what we want him to be and expect him to act on sentimentality.
God is HOLY and PERFECT in ALL his ways and knows what it is going to take to get one to bow to him. We have his instructions, and he has told us to "Study to show ourselves approved. . . ", we are without excuse. We would do well to read the word and learn from it, not just be hearers and expect things to always be to our liking. We have a king and we must listen and do what he has commanded us whether we agree or not. To deviate in any way is to invite disaster upon ourselves.
Onward Christian soldiers, march to our King's orders and we will have victory!
What I learned was: disobedience always brings judgment. The Israelites present a perfect example of what I am not to do. Instead of learning from experience that GOD will always punish rebellion against HIM, if I continue to disobey I suffer GOD'S displeasure and discipline. When I continue in disobedience, I invite GOD'S discipline, not because HE enjoys my suffering, but “because the LORD disciplines those HE loves, and HE punishes everyone HE accepts as a son" -Hebrews 12:6
The Book of Judges is a testament to GOD'S "faithfulness." Even “if I am faithless, HE will remain faithful” -2 Timothy 2:13. Though I may be unfaithful to HIM, as the Israelites were, still HE is faithful to save me and preserve me -1 Thessalonians 5:24- and to forgive me when I seek forgiveness -1 John 1:9- “HE will keep me strong to the very end, so that I will be blameless on the day of our LORD Jesus Christ. GOD, who has called us into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our LORD, is faithful” -1 Corinthians 1:8-9.
The announcement to Samson’s mother that she would bear a son to lead Israel is a foreshadowing of the announcement to Mary of the birth of the Messiah. GOD sent His Angel to both women and told them they would “conceive and bear a son” -Judges 13:7; Luke 1:31- who would lead God’s people.
GOD'S compassionate delivery of HIS people despite their sin and rejection of HIM presents a picture of Christ on the cross. Jesus died to deliver HIS people—all who would ever believe in HIM- from their sin. Although most of those who followed HIM during HIS ministry would eventually fall away and reject HIM, HE still remained faithful to HIS promise and went to the cross to die for us.
Ah, hallelujah Jesus! The precious lamb of GOD WHO takes away the sin of the world, LORD of lords and KING of kings, the Prince of peace, the bright morning star, and my favorite, the Lion from the tribe of Judah. WHOM I believe was in the lion's den with Daniel protecting him! Thank you LORD Jesus, I love you MASTER!
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. I learned that I am human, that unchecked my emotions can and do erupt, that GOD does not have to answer to me for anything and my favorite: the "moment" I think I have humility I've lost it! My prayer is that my love and forgiveness for my brothers and sisters would grow to be as strong as Samson might once was and that my humility would ... overflow(?). Thank you!
That closing statement at the end of the book of Judges is rather telling, isn't it? How many times did we read that phrase; "The people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the LORD"? By the end of the book it's progressed to "In those days. . . everyone did what was right in his own eyes". There's a message here about the difference between God's (infinite and perfect) perspective and ours (limited and distorted). We should not trust our feelings, but turn to our Creator for insight and direction...it's what He want's more than anything...to have One on one communication with us. That's what we were created for in the first place...companionship. If you could fault God on anything, it's this: He loves us TOO MUCH. You can trust Him. He's your friend. Because of His perfect and holy nature, He cannot tolerate sin. He poured out His wrath against sin onto His own Son on our behalf so that we can "come boldly unto the throne of grace" (Hebrews 4:16). Jesus willingly bore the iniquity of us all, and on the third day, He was raised from the dead and now sits on the right hand of God. Jesus is the one and only "bridge" by which fallen humanity can enjoy a restored relationship with their Creator and not have to fear His wrath against disobedience. This doesn't mean we don't have to fear being disobedient, quite the contrary. The book of Judges CLEARLY shows us that.
That is a very very good point that I over looked Tom. I kinda of use it "now" with my name in there instead of the Israelites. Kenny is doing "again" now what the Father don't like. Which reminds me of the verse: don't repay evil with evil. Thank you for pointing out that GOD'S view is perfect and infinite, as opposed to my limited and distorted view. I must try to see things from HIS view and not mine. I believe this starts when I resolve not to conform to this world; and be transformed by the renewing of my mind -Romains 12:2. Thank you for your reply. May GOD bless you & yours! I love you my friend!