Judges 21 REFLECTION AND REGRET There is a deep, deep moral sickness that comes over a society when people celebrate perversions for pleasure. Israel had accepted perversions for so long they had become used to them until one happened that was beyond the pale. Then they took things 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 went farther and farther in sin. Because of their own revenge, they planned their own way of restoration of order. Strangely when a whole generation of people has turned to follow the dictates of their own fallen nature, all semblance of justice and public righteousness fades. It is happening here today in a way much too similar to the days of the judges in Israel.
The "sons of Belial" in Gibeah who took what they wanted and thought rape was alright even when it resulted in death and moral depravity. The Benjamites accepted homosexuality and rape to the extent they defended those things in spite of what was right - and what other people who disagreed with them believed. The other tribes of Israel also thought retaliation and revenge was alright even to the massacre of innocent people and kidnapping of young women. This whole downward spiral into moral depravity began when the children of Israel did not 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 no fear of the Lord.
People are not a whole lot different in 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 common-place. Young people can even see these things in games and movies that leave an imprint on their brain that does not go away. Birth control has brought casual sex among young people and that in turn leads to the abortion of unwanted children. Substance abuse leads to lack of control and may go as far as euthanasia. Same-sex marriage leads to the disintegration of families and the loss of a moral compass for our children and the generations to follow. When we, as frail, mortal men make ourselves the final authority of our practices and doctrines without reference to God and His will, there is a price that everyone has to pay. To selfishly set ourselves up as those who decide what is right and wrong undermines the whole of society and will ultimately bring down a nation.
Even though the judges were famous for the deliverance they brought to the nation of Israel for periods of time, they were far from perfect people. In spite of the personal failures God used those people of faith and they made a lasting mark on the history of their nation. Faith in God and a commitment to obey Him is the only alternative to moral decay. Lives lived for the Lord Jesus Christ under the standards of righteousness and truth as taught in the scriptures, is the best we can pass on to the people of our day and our own families. Biblical convictions and moral conduct will keep us in fellowship with our Lord here and enable us to live in view of the future.
Judges 21: 25. “In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.”
TURNED AWAY FROM GOD. Schemes and plans bizarre, deep in the minds of men Who lie awake dreaming ungodly thoughts and fantasies; So obtuse and strange as to raise serious questions About their sanity; mental acuity seems to have been abandoned – Every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
Where do such dark schemes come from? Beyond human – The twilight zone of standard-less living creates havoc – Minds trained in godly homes go so far away into the night – One wonders – “Where did he come from? Is this my child?” Every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
Not one, but many gravitate – moving together – multiplying their darkness Pitting one against the other – past dark sayings to evil imaginations – Past evil imaginations to challenges that must have come from hell – And then acting out their imaginations to the death of thousands – Every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
Women and children run, with flashing swords reaching for them – Blood-thirsty men without shame of conscience murder the innocent To keep their word on lesser matters of small consequence – Justifying the blood-red blade in the name of their heritage – Every man did that which 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 Every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
“This dark book of Judges, Father, raises many specters of darkness and evil when Thy people forget Thee or ignore Thy claims upon them. This isn’t happening to us, is it Father? Surely, we have the sense to discern this kind of departure from the paths of Thy choosing. O preserve me, O God, for in Thee do I put my trust. My eyes are on Thee now. May I never have them focused on any other place, person or thing. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”