Judges 21: Depravity Can Be Explained

Thankfully, this is the end of the record of this low point in Israel’s history. Thankfully, God has given us a second explanation for this depravity. It is the same as the first one:

“Every man did that which was right in his own eyes”

(17:6; 21:25)

Every conclusion we draw about these five chapters should be on the basis of that comment. God did not make us in such a way that we can make it through life without divine guidance (Proverbs 14:12; Jeremiah 10:23). Pray that you learn about depravity through God’s words rather than by your own choices.

Judges 20: Depravity Is Disgusting

If I think of something as being disgusting, it is because I have compared it to something that is not disgusting. This is a reminder of standards. Many standards for moral living have been rejected by today’s world (which does not mean that they are no longer God’s actual standards). But remember, the chapters at the end of Judges are about the people of God and their total moral confusion. They had become a people who were, among other things, almost USELESS to God! How could that be anything but disgusting? Let us pray that we are never disgusting.

Judges 19: Depravity Destroys

Depravity deprives us of any kind of objective moral compass. Therefore it leads to destruction. Destruction spreads and captures more and more lives, families, communities. It also leads to really bad solutions to problems when the problem solvers are without godly guidance, too. The events of the chapter are referenced in Hosea 9:9-10. Maybe it would be good to read those verses before Judges 19. Do not forget to pray when you are finished reading.

Judges 18: Depravity Deepens

JUDGES 18: Depravity Deepens: I am not going to discuss the details of this portion of this period of the judges. But I am going to encourage you to meditate on the subjects that are part of the narrative. For now, the subject is “Depravity Deepens.” When people choose to do as they please (17:6) and continue to do so, things will get worse and worse. This is because people get worse and worse when they (we) are doing whatever seems right to us. Today, the operative phrase is “just do the right thing”—because this phrase is almost always used in the context of “you choose what you feel is right and do it.” As you read this chapter, think about how well this kind of thinking works. Then pray about these things.

Judges 17: The Beginning of the Worst Story

The last five chapters of Judges has the most reprehensible story in the Bible—in my opinion—other than the evil treatment that Jesus of Nazareth experienced in His lifetime. The list of judges is not mentioned here and the account begins (17:6) and ends (21:25) under the following remark: “People did whatever they felt like doing” (The Message). A sampling of this lifestyle can be seen or heard in nearly every newscast in the world today. Then—it was a part of daily life in the promised land. As you meditate on this, please turn everything off around you and do it alone. Pray after reading each chapter. You will need to.

Judges 16: The Ruin and Rise of Samson

Another woman, Delilah, enters the life of God’s judge and leads him to ruin in this final chapter. But the grace of God kept the broken blind man alive long enough for him to repent and appeal to God for one more opportunity to send a message to the heathen masses (even of today). Samson is another of the judges who is listed among the people of faith (and hope—and obedience) of Hebrews 11. Let us honor his memory by standing for the name of the Lord in this generation (which has billions of heathen who need to be told about the fact that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God—Hebrews 10:31).

Judges 15: The Revenge of Samson

Now this judge learns that his wife has been given to another man. This leads to stories of slaughters among the Philistines as Samson gets revenge. From a human standpoint, it is a terrible thing to read. Spiritually, we must remember that this is God’s judgment on the wickedness of the Philistines—an immoral, idolatrous people who refused the knowledge of the Lord. They also continually tempted Israel to be a part of their wicked society. They deserved no less than punishment. God’s name is to be honored by all—to the exclusion of all other names. There is no way to avoid eternal punishment if we refuse (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10). Let us learn and teach this.