Judges 20-21
“In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.” Judges 21:25
These final chapters of Judges leave me feeling empty and hollow for the people in this account. Hosea mentions this as deep corruption (Hosea 9:9). There seem to be no words to appropriately respond to this account of horrific sin by people who are chosen by God to be a light in the world. There is no king. Men are doing what men do when they reason for themselves and discard and disregard God. God is not sought for direction and surely these are not His directions for His people. These chapters are a reminder of the depth of depravity in human hearts and minds. Israel had no king. As God the Holy Spirit inspired these words to be written and preserved, he knew that Israel had—and has—a King. God is their King. He is the perfect King for his people. But they did not recognize him and therefore did not have him as their King. Not having a recognized king allows a person to do whatever he or she wants. I have a King. Jesus is my King. He is my authority and I no longer do as I see fit. In these days, when many have no king, I must tell them of a King who loves them and longs for them to know that not following him causes us pain.
Dear Jesus, you are my King. I want no other ultimate authority in my life. I remember what it was like when I had no King. I do not want to go back to that—ever. I long for others to be released from the pain it causes. Please use me to lead others to you. Amen