Judges 19

ScriptureJudges 19:1In those days Israel had no king.Observation - What does it say?This chapter contains one of the most horrible and gut wrenching stories in my opinion. Wickedness has become rampant in Israel. When some of the wicked men of the city were denied the opportunity to have sex with another man they took an innocent woman and raped her to death. This isn’t a horror movie. This isn't fiction. This is real life, real people, real horror. Why? What could lead to this kind of moral decline? The first verse explains why, setting the bigger stage for this story: Israel was without a king.Understanding - What does it mean?We are desperate for good, godly leadership.

Judges 21:25 elaborates on this verse and says, “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.”

Without good leadership in place, wickedness grows without resistance. When everyone does what is right in their own eyes, it is a recipe for disaster. Our culture has been swinging in this direction for some time. Subjective morality is rampant. “What’s right for you is right for you,”  “To each his own,” and “I’ve found my truth,” are all common and respected phrases in our culture. Although they don’t prove to be biblical or even logical arguments, they are still quoted by many.It’s obvious from this chapter that this isn’t a road we want to see our culture go down!Life ApplicationPray for good, godly leadership! And, choose to submit to the godly leadership God has already placed over me.

God, thank you for being our King! Thank you for your word that you use to instruct us in how to live. May we submit to your leadership and the delegated leadership you’ve placed over us in your church. And, we also pray for the elections coming up. Have your way in our nation and give us all wisdom as we vote. Have mercy. Let your kingdom come. In Jesus’ name, amen.

 

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- Levi Thompson