The Blue Church

Actually, there are several problems with Judges. First, many don’t even know where it is in the Bible, and when they find it, aren’t sure why it’s there. When they do get around to reading it, they are shocked and terribly troubled that humans can behave so badly.

But that really is the point of it. The tone is set in the first two chapters, which tell us that Israel disobeyed by not driving out the Canaanites, who drew them into idolatry (as Moses had predicted). With no government, a series of judges organized and rallied the nation to defeat the enemies then oppressing them. After the judge died, the Jews went right back to their rebellion and idolatry.

This cycle is repeated TWELVE TIMES over FOUR HUNDRED YEARS. There is murder, betrayal, civil war, suicide, human sacrifice, sexual abuse, and kidnapping, enough violence for the most prurient reader.

And in the end, nothing is gained except the lesson of what happens to a culture in the absence of authority, “In those days, there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”

Please keep that in mind as we hear suggestions of de-funding police departments and other talk which teaches our children disrespect for government and law enforcement. What we are witnessing in the riots and looting are people who feel free to do what is right in their own eyes only because no one is there to stop them. And ironically, they want us to believe it’s all in the name of the abuse of authority. The hypocrisy would be unbelievable, if it weren’t for the book of Judges.

In the end, the problem with Judges is that, along with the rest of the Bible, its stories remain unread and its lessons unheeded.

“Father, have mercy on our nation for forsaking even what we knew of you and your Word. We pray you will not turn us over to ourselves, and that you will raise up leaders, especially in the cities, who will help people rather than exploit them for political power and financial gain. Amen.”