By Mike Chaffin
In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes. Judges 21:25
Wow. Talk about complete collapse of social norms and morality. This is Israel after Moses and Joshua’s strong leadership is long over. The tribes have no central guidance other than the high priest. Like today, when times are good, they could care less about worshiping God.
However, when an outside group invades their land, the people cry out to God for deliverance. He raises up a military man or woman to push out the invaders. These Judges lead the nation in righteousness for a few years. By the end of Judges though, the people were so revolted by the actions of the tribe of Benjamin, they nearly killed all of them.
After the slaughter, the people take pity on the remnant of Benjamin and decry their action. They decide the remaining Benjamite men need wives, but they had taken an oath not to allow any of them to marry their daughters. So, they go attack a nearby village, kill all the men and women and male children, and kidnap 400 young girls to give to the Benjamite men.
But they still aren’t done sinning. The four hundred girls weren’t enough, so, they tell the remaining Benjamite men to go to Shiloh during a festival dance and kidnap the girls from the dance floor.
From living righteously and holy they have descended into murder, sex trafficking, and kidnapping, to name a few of the problems. No wonder the last words in Judges are what they are.
We seem to have a similar problem today. There are people who don’t think there is any absolute truth. They say your truth doesn’t have to be their truth, do what makes you feel good. God calls them fools.
The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none who does good. Psalm 14:1
In the next book in the Bible God steps in to correct his people. Let’s pray for God to do the same today, before it is too late for America.
Prayer: Lord, I read these words and am saddened at how it reminds me of the sinfulness of our nation today. I pray for revival in the church to raise up leaders to bring America back to you. I pray for those who don’t know you to come to a saving knowledge of you. I pray for truth to triumph over sinful fleshly desires. In Jesus Name, Amen.
