The period when judges led the nation of Israel lasted about 350 years and preceded the time when the tribes were governed by kings. It was one of the darkest, most evil times in Israel’s history. Throughout the book of Judges, we have recorded one evil event after another in which God’s people were engaged.
Before Israel had a physical king, God was supposed to have been their king. He simply operated and ruled through men He raised up as judges.
Several times in the book of Judges the statement, “There was no king in Israel” was made (Judges 17:6; 18:1; 19:1; 21:25). It does tell us the time in which the events in Judges occurred, but it also tells us that Israel did not accept God as their king.
Twice, when that statement was made, the writer goes on to say therefore, “every man did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6; 21:25). When God is not king, the result leads to everyone doing whatever he thinks is right. The King is the authority. When we reject authority, there is chaos.
We have seen that demonstrated in Ferguson, MO and other cities. Because God is not accepted as King of their lives, chaos has occurred. Because a group of folks did not agree with the legal decision of the court, they rioted. Even if the court’s decision was wrong, that did not give individuals the right to burn cars and buildings, nor to rob, loot, and kill. What went on in Ferguson and other cities of the United States is only a symptom of the problems of this country.
These horrors occur because God is not king. They occurred because mobs refuse to accept all other authorities as well. The individual becomes his own authority and therefore every man does what is right in his own eyes.
God has been removed from our schools. There was a time when God, the Bible, and prayer were part of our children’s daily routine at school. When God and His word were removed, the highest form of authority was rejected. That has led to rejection of all authority.
God has been removed from our homes. Too many parents in homes live their total lives without ever being connected to God. The family doesn’t go to “church.” The family doesn’t read the Bible. Ultimately, it leads to every individual doing what is right in his own eyes. Because God and His word are rejected it’s no wonder that so many homes end in divorce.
So many times this begins the vicious cycle of dysfunctional homes. God’s plan for child discipline has been removed. Too many parents fail to train their children (Ephesians 6:4; Proverbs 13:24; 19:18; 23:13-14). They can’t control the three-year-old so it’s no wonder they can’t control that child when he is thirteen, and therefore it is no surprise when that same child at the age of 23 decides to riot, burn, and loot. God’s plan for child rearing has failed because parents have failed to teach their children to respect authority because they didn’t demonstrate biblical authority.
God has been removed from many churches. Too many churches are more interested in making people feel good and promising a health and wealth religion than in teaching the truth of God’s word. Too many churches are more interested in drawing big numbers by offering entertainment rather than instruction. Too many church leaders deny that the Bible is absolute truth. When church leaders begin teaching that the Bible can be followed by picking and choosing what one wants to obey and what one doesn’t have to be obeyed, they are denying the authority of God. Thus, every man begins doing what is right in his own eyes.
What Can We Do?
First, each of us must recognize that there is a king who rules and it is King Jesus (1 Timothy 6:15). We must begin by recognizing that He has authority and demonstrate it by following what He says.
Second, we can begin to demand that our leaders in the churches and in the government be men who respect God and His authority. We must elect God-fearing leaders in both organizations. We must begin to demand that leaders in the church be people who believe in the absolute authority of God’s Word and insist on it being followed.
Third, we must begin teaching the respect for authority to our children and grandchildren. If they do not learn it at home, there is a very good chance that they will never learn it. The home is the very basis of our society. When the home falls, the society falls.
We once were a Christian nation because Christ and His word were our authority. Our constitution was based on the Bible, but unfortunately, our leaders are trying to separate us from our heritage. Let’s get back to our roots. Remember, “My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).
wayne@rockymountainchristian@andrademission
