This story is a bit messed up in my opinion. The horrible act in chapter 19 become a war that results in almost an entire tribe being killed. Only to have the rest of the tribes worried that the tribe they were just punishing would die out. You think they could have thought of that before they killed all their wives and children.
Anyway, I was unsure about what to take away from these verses but I appreciated what my commentary said about the final verse.
"In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes."
Judges 21:25
During the time of judges, the people of Israel experienced trouble because everyone became his own authority and acted on his own opinions of right and wrong. This produced horrendous results. Our world is similar. Individuals, groups,and societies have made themselves the final authorities without reference to God. When people selfishly satisfy their personal desires at all costs, everyone pays the price.
It is the ultimate heroic act to submit all our plans, desires, and motives to God. Men like Gideon, Jephthah, and Sampson are known for their heroism in battle. But their personal lives were far from heroic.
To be truly heroic, we must go into battle each day in our home, job, church, and society to make God's kingdom a reality. Our weapons are the standards, morals, truths, and convictions we receive from God's Word. We will lose the battle if we gather the spoils of earthly treasures rather than seeking the treasures of heaven.
Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Ruth 1-4
During the time of judges, the people of Israel experienced trouble because everyone became his own authority and acted on his own opinions of right and wrong. This produced horrendous results. Our world is similar. Individuals, groups,and societies have made themselves the final authorities without reference to God. When people selfishly satisfy their personal desires at all costs, everyone pays the price.
It is the ultimate heroic act to submit all our plans, desires, and motives to God. Men like Gideon, Jephthah, and Sampson are known for their heroism in battle. But their personal lives were far from heroic.
To be truly heroic, we must go into battle each day in our home, job, church, and society to make God's kingdom a reality. Our weapons are the standards, morals, truths, and convictions we receive from God's Word. We will lose the battle if we gather the spoils of earthly treasures rather than seeking the treasures of heaven.
Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Ruth 1-4
3 comments:
Both the very first verse and the last in today's reading make mention that Israel didn't have a king, almost like the author is giving an excuse for Israel's dysfunction. We same the same dysfunction in our society today, because our society doesn't want to follow the one true King. A reminder for us personally to make sure we are following God the way He wants, and not trying to do things our way for our personal benefit which would eventually lead to ruin.
I noticed the same thing as Nathan with the first and last verse indicating they had no king. Whether we choose to act on our own or as a tribe, if we do not follow God's leading, it will lead to destruction and failure.
This passage has to be one of the worst in the Bible and, like you all have said, illustrated how horribly wrong things go when people decide for themselves what is right and wrong. Without the Word, without the Holy Spirit, our moral compass swings out of control.
Post a Comment