READING: Judges 19:1-21:25
Different versions of the Bible vary slightly, but Judges 21:25 says the same in all cases:
- “everyone did whatever seemed right to him.” (NLT)
- “everyone did whatever he wanted.” (HCSB)
- “everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (ESV)
- “each man did what he considered to be right.” (NET Bible)
The words say much to describe the situation in that day. Individualism reigned as each person set his own moral standards. Few were the people who looked to God for their standards. The result, as we have seen throughout the book of Judges, was rebellion and idolatry – and ultimately, God’s judgment. The good news is this: while this text ends the book of Judges in an ominous way, we know the story was not over there. God would raise up others to lead His people as He accomplished His plan.
One of my former colleagues (a brilliant Old Testament scholar) summarized the story this way: “This book and the history of the nation that follows serve as eternal testimony to the grim reality that God’s people are often their own worst enemy. It is not the enemies outside who threaten the soul but the Canaanite within. At the same time this book and the ones that follow declare in most emphatic terms that God’s work will get done! His kingdom is eternal; his covenant with this people is eternal; his promises are eternal.”* Thank God He keeps His eyes on us even when we divert our attention from Him.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Is there any area of your life where you are doing whatever seems right to you?
TODAY’S PRAYER: “God, show me any time my heart leans toward what I want rather than what You want.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Ruth 1:1-4:12
*Block, D. I. (1999). Judges, Ruth (Vol. 6, pp. 585–586). Broadman & Holman Publishers.
