I am in the book of Judges in my daily Bible reading, and those who have studied this book see the downward cycle of Israel's obedience and disobedience to God. When they obeyed God, they prospered in the land He gave them. But when they went after the gods of the nations, God turned them over to the hands of their enemies. Then the people cried out in their distress. God heard them and had pity on them, so He sent a judge to free them from the bondage of their enemies.
This cycle repeated itself over and over throughout the 400 years between Joshua and King Saul. During this time, Israel had no king but God. Yet this period ends with a heartbreaking realization. What should have been paradise on earth was anything but.
“In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 21:25 ESV).
Because the people refused to live under God's rule alone, they gave up the promised blessings found in the covenant God made to them under Moses and Joshua. It is in this period of Israel's existence that we witness some of the most disgusting and evil acts men commit against other men. While Israel had high moments during the days of the judges, their low moments grew lower and lower. Why? Because everyone did what was right in their own eyes.
Not only did God send judges to the people, He also sent prophets. He did not leave them to their own understanding. God told them what they needed to do.
“When the people of Israel cried out to the LORD on account of the Midianites, the LORD sent a prophet to the people of Israel. And he said to them, ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: I led you up from Egypt and brought you out of the house of slavery. And I delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of all who oppressed you, and drove them out before you and gave you their land. And I said to you, “I am the LORD your God; you shall not fear the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell.” But you have not obeyed my voice.’” (Judges 6:7–10 ESV).
Yet the people soon forgot the messages of God's prophets. So we see that the moral downward spiral of the Israelites under the judges wasn’t a deficiency on God's part. It stemmed from a heart problem of the people. God was moved, not only with anger because of their disobedience, but with His love for them. He was not willing to let them continue without Him. He acted to wake them from their moral sleep and bring them back to Himself. Indeed, God had pity on them.
What is the lesson for us? While we live under the rule of King Jesus, we must not follow the path of the Israelites in the book of Judges. Satan will tempt us to do what is right in our own eyes and still hold on to the benefits of Kingdom living. If we do that, however, we will learn the same lesson the Israelites learned under the judges. Jesus will not allow us to do what is right in our own eyes and still receive the grace that comes from His hand.
“You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” (James 4:4 ESV).
Just like in the days of the judges, God gives us a clear choice. Live under the rule of King Jesus, or live in the world. There is no circumstance where we can have one foot in the world and the other in the Kingdom. We must decide in our hearts where our loyalty lies and give our pistis, our faith, fully to that Kingdom.
Will we serve King Jesus in loyalty to Him, or will we follow the gods of this world? The choice is ours, but Jesus makes it clear. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father but through Him.
“Jesus said to him, ‘No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’” (Luke 9:62 ESV).
Are we ready to live under the rule of King Jesus alone, or do we still love this world too much? May we all live under the grace of Jesus from this day forward lest we provoke Him as the Israelites did.
“Go and cry out to the gods whom you have chosen; let them save you in the time of your distress.” (Judges 10:14 ESV).
What a terrible place to be. God will not be mocked. We cannot expect good from Him while living in our own way. If we do, God will turn us over to our own way as well.
“And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.” (Romans 1:28 ESV).
Are we bending the knee to King Jesus in faith, or are we doing what is good in our own eyes?
The story of Judges calls each of us to look honestly at our own hearts. Where are we tempted to live by what seems right in our own eyes instead of trusting the way of Christ? Take time today to reflect on this question, and then share your thoughts in the comments so we can walk in Kingdom living together.