Right In His Own Eyes

May 11

Judges 19-21

Psalm 58:6-11

Proverbs 13:11-12

John 1

Right In His Own Eyes

“In those days there was no king in Israel, everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”  Judges 21:25 LSB

“And men will say, ‘Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely there is a God who judges on Earth!” Psalm 58:11 LSB

Our reading today in Judges is very disturbing.  The treatment of women in this period of history is shocking, and this happened among the children of Israel, not the pagan nations.  They had strayed from God and everyone did what was right in his own eyes.  Throughout Israel’s history we see a cycle of disobedience.  They strayed from God and fell into a season of sin and rebellion.  God either directly punished them or allowed them to experience the consequences of their actions.  After a period of punishment, they cried out to God for help and He graciously sent someone to deliver them.  This was followed by a period of revival and faithfulness, but when they became comfortable again, they began to stray from God and the cycle started over.   We could be tempted to be critical of them unless we look at our own lives and recognize our own propensity to get distracted and take our eyes off Jesus.  Unlike the Israelites, we have the continual power and presence of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us giving us strength in our weakness and we still falter.  We need daily time with Him in order to remain faithful and avail ourselves of His wisdom and guidance. 

When we read this account, it is easy to think of it as something that happened centuries ago that surely doesn’t happen today, but that is not accurate.  There is a dark world of human trafficking that exists in the shadows that is just as ugly and debased today as anything that existed in ancient times. Women and children are auctioned off like cattle on the dark web.  Modern technology has increased the reach and scope of evil in our world.  Satan has used the same tactics for centuries because they work.  Devaluing human life based on gender, race, age or economic position is one of his most insidious lies.  The problem is so prevalent that we can easily become discouraged and believe it will never end.  Psalm 58 assures us that there is a God who judges on Earth.  There will come a time when the righteous will be rewarded and evil will be punished.  God sees all!  Nothing escapes His attention.  Justice will come.  We can be assured that every wrong will be made right.  Evil doers will stand before God and will answer for the wrongs they have committed.  I have to believe this will be especially true for those who have harmed innocent children.  We can trust in His sovereignty and rest in the assurance of His righteous justice.