REFLECTION AND REGRET

REFLECTION AND REGRET. Judges 21 The tragic account of the great sin in Israel saddens our hearts, showing how those who belong to God could turn against each other to such a degree. The tribe of Benjamin was driven close to extinction by the other Israelites when they took justice into their own hands. They eventually realized that the tribe would disappear and the nation would not truly be Israel without one of them. If they didn’t act to fix the problem, Israel would never fulfill its true purpose.

If a person in the fellowship of an assembly falls into sin, scriptural discipline is applied to correct the wrongdoing, change behavior, and serve as a warning to others so they do not make the same mistake. Restoring the individual to fellowship and maintaining a united congregation is vital for the testimony of the assembly. Faith in God and a commitment to obey Him are the only alternatives to moral decay. Lives lived for the Lord Jesus Christ, according to the standards of righteousness and truth taught in the scriptures, are the best legacy we can pass on to the people of our time and our own families. Biblical convictions and moral conduct will keep us in fellowship with our Lord here and enable us to live with an eye toward the future.

There is a profound moral sickness that spreads through a society when people celebrate perversions for pleasure. Israel had accepted perversions for so long that they became accustomed to them until one occurred that was beyond the limit. Then they took matters into their own hands and made oaths that were "right in their own eyes." They devised their own plans and left God out as they continued to sink deeper into sin. Because of their own revenge, they plotted their own way to restore order. Foolish vows lead to complicated outcomes. Vows are made to be kept. The vow made by eleven tribes to deny marriage to Benjamite men would have caused serious problems if broken.

The same holds true for unfulfilled vows today. Marriage vows, business commitments, oaths made in courtrooms, and vows sworn before legal authorities all have consequences that impact others. A person’s character and reputation are at risk when vows are made. Foolish vows can lead to complex results. Vows are meant to be honored. Interestingly, when an entire generation turns to follow their own fallen nature's dictates, all sense of justice and public righteousness diminishes. This is happening in this country today in a way that closely resembles the days of the judges in Israel.

The vow made by eleven tribes to forbid marriage to Benjamite men would have had serious consequences if they broke it. The Israelites wept at Bethel when they were defeated by the Benjamites. They cried because their disciplinary action ultimately led to nearly wiping out the people of Benjamin by killing so many men. They complicated the situation further by making another spontaneous vow to put to death anyone who did not join in the battle.

The "sons of Belial" in Gibeah took what they wanted and believed rape was acceptable, even when it led to death and moral decay. The Benjamites tolerated homosexuality and rape, defending these acts despite what is morally right and contrary to the views of others who disagreed. The other tribes of Israel also believed revenge and retaliation were justified, even to the point of massacring innocent people and kidnapping young women.

Violence breeds violence. There is no indication that God supported the brutal violence and bloodshed at Jabesh-Gilead. Covenants between tribes were very important to them, even though failure to join in battle was not always punished. Dana and Asher did not join with Deborah and Barak in the fight against Jabin and the Canaanites. This entire downward spiral into moral corruption began when the children of Israel failed to destroy the worship and idols of Baal. The dark world of false religion leaves the hearts of men and women wide open to unclean living and a lack of fear of the Lord.

Everyone in Jabesh-Gilead was put to death except four hundred young virgin women. These women were brought from east of the Jordan to become wives for some of the Benjamite men. To address the shortage of women as wives, the Israeli elders strongly suggested that Benjamite men hide in the vineyards and capture women for themselves. In this way, they believed they were not “giving their daughters” to Benjamite men to marry, but rather that these women were being abducted. This ensured they would have wives to bear children for the tribe of Benjamin. Truly, “Everyman did that which was right in his own eyes.”

That statement summarizes in a few words all that happened during the time of the judges. People were a law unto themselves. They did whatever they felt like and faced the consequences. Instead of listening to God and following His guidance, their minds were set on doing whatever pleased them or what was expedient at the moment. Although the judges were known for delivering the nation of Israel at times, they were far from perfect. Despite their personal failures, God used those people of faith, and they left a lasting mark on their nation's history.

People are not much different across any age or place in history. In their demand for freedom, they insist they have the right to do as they please. Spiritual sin leads to moral sin. Sexual sin makes life cheap, so rape, desecration, slaughter, massacre, and kidnapping become commonplace. Young people can even see these things in games and movies that leave a lasting impression on their brains. Birth control has brought casual sex among young people, which in turn leads to the abortion of unwanted children. Substance abuse results in a lack of control and may even lead to euthanasia. Same-sex marriage contributes to the disintegration of families and the loss of a moral compass for our children and future generations.

When we, as fragile mortal humans, make ourselves the ultimate authority over our practices and beliefs without referencing God and His will, there is a cost everyone must pay. To selfishly act as the ones who decide what is right and wrong undermines society as a whole and will eventually lead to a nation's downfall.

Schemes and bizarre plans dwell deep in the minds of men who lie awake dreaming ungodly thoughts and fantasies. Some are so obtuse and strange that they raise serious questions about their sanity. Mental sharpness seems to have been abandoned, so that even today, “every man [does] that which was right in his own eyes.” Where do such dark schemes originate? They are beyond normal human imagination. The twilight zone of lawless living causes chaos, and minds trained in godly homes go far into the darkness of spiritual night. One wonders, “Where did he come from? Is this my child?” Every man does what is right in his own eyes.

Not just one, but many drift away from what they were taught and come together, multiplying their darkness. One begins to pit themselves against others, and some go beyond dark sayings to evil imaginations. From there, they move past evil imaginations to challenges that seem to come from hell. Then, they act out these imaginations, leading to the death of thousands, because everyone did what was right in their own eyes.

Women and children fled from men wielding flashing swords as they reached for them; bloodthirsty men with no shame of conscience murdered the innocent. They are compelled to keep their word on minor matters and justify their blood-red blades in the name of their heritage. Every man did what was right in his own eyes.

No fear; nor reverence for God – no respect for the life of others – only self. No thought of consequences – no consideration of self-guilt; no willingness to repent – no consideration of God’s laws; no thought for the tomorrow of their children – no honor – no self-respect – the horrible results when every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

A summary: Out of the 450 years of the period of the Judges, 336 years were marked by the Israelites' loyalty to God, while 111 years were characterized by unfaithfulness. Spending 25% of our time outside the mind and will of God is unacceptable. That equates to 15 minutes per hour, 6 hours each day, or 20 years out of an 80-year lifespan.

How should Christians live in a society lacking fixed moral standards? Philippians 2:15-16 highlights the importance of staying unpolluted by the world and how we are to shine as lights reflecting the glory of our Lord.