"In those days, Israel had no king."

Judges 17:6 & Judges 18:1 & Judges 19:1 & Judges 21:25, NIV 

 

I believe some of the greatest perversions ever mentioned in the Bible are recorded in the book of Judges. This used to cause a great deal of confusion for me - after all, how could God's people act in such wicked ways? Then the more I studied, the more I began to see that the answer was given over and over and over.

 

To be precise, the author of Judges recorded no fewer than four times that Israel had no king. Of course, they really did have a King, and that King was God, yet they refused to recognize His authority. As a result, some of the wildest and most undisciplined acts of humankind are recorded in this book. I believe they were put down for men of all ages to see exactly how low men can devolve if they abandon God as their rightful authority.

 

The odd thing is that even in the middle of their sin, the people felt that they were doing the right thing. How could that be? Solomon revealed that answer some 3,000 years ago when he was inspired to pen these words:

 

"There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." Proverbs 14:12, NKJV 

 

Combine that with the rejection of God's authority and you basically have a type of anarchy that can only lead to confusion, chaos, and ultimately death.

 

Why, then, should we even bother reading such history as we have recorded in this book of the Judges? One reason is because history repeats itself. To illustrate that fact, consider this:

 

How can you explain a nation that committed itself to the Creator at its foundation, only to later remove Him from the public square?

How can you explain a nation that sought God's counsel at its outset, only to later consider anyone who would even mention God in a serious way to be some sort of a terrorist?

How can you explain a nation that rejects God's standards for marriage?

How can you explain a nation that forces its own people to pay for others to kill their own babies?

 

How can you explain these things? I believe the only explanation is that we have rejected God as our King, so everyone is now doing as they see fit in their own eyes. When Israel did that exact thing, God gave them over to be ruled by wicked people.

 

Do you think that He will treat us any differently today or do you think that God may also give us over to wicked rulers some day? When you really think about it... maybe He already has!

 

This is why we study!

 

"In those days, there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes." Judges 21:25, RSV

"Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, He gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done." Romans 1:28, NIV 

 

Today is day 6 of the 30 Day Challenge to read through the books of the Champions and the Kings. The reading for today is Judges 15-21. May God richly bless your efforts as you recognize Him as your proper authority and as you seek to do His will!