RASCALS USED BY GOD
A Devotional Study of Judges
by Max Frazier, Jr.
Introduction and Table of Contents
I want to share with you stories and truths from some of the most unusual men that God ever chose to use to accomplish His purposes. Some of these people will be somewhat familiar to you, while others you may meet for the very first time. They lived in the midst of some of the darkest days in the entire history of the nation of Israel. The people became mired in the swamps of sin and had to experience the discipline of God. Yet, through these people, God brought a measure of rest and relief.
The story of these individuals is found in the book of Judges. We are not sure who wrote this book, but many Bible scholars attribute authorship to Samuel, the man God raised up as His spokes person at the very close of this period of time. The theme of the book of Judges is that of backsliding and God's grace. It is a picture of man's sin and of God's grace in restoring a repentant people back into fellowship with Himself. One will observe a cycle within the book. That cycle begins with man's sin, which is then followed by the subsequent slavery to another nation as God initiates His process of discipline. After so many years of slavery, the people implore God for His relief, and the cycle is then completed when God raises up His deliverer, the very people whose stories we are going to examine in the coming days.
I have selected, as the key verse for the book of Judges, chapter 21 and verse 25, which states: In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit. In other words, there existed a state of near anarchy within the nation. Although God's Laws existed, few people cared to follow them. Instead, everyone made up their own set of rules to follow without giving consideration to the impact which that might have upon another.
I think I could illustrate what was going on by trying to put it into a modern day setting. You and I know that there is a posted speed limit on all of the roads here in our great state. The law says that we are to drive at the speed limit because that is the speed which has been determined to be the safest for all drivers on the roadways. Suppose I say to myself, "Hey, I don't want anyone telling me how fast I can drive. I will drive the speed I want." And so, instead of 60, I drive 85 miles per hour. Alongside of me is Charlie, who wants to drive 75. Then there is Louise who wants to drive 50. Pretty soon, there is chaos on the freeways because everyone is doing their own thing. That is the way it was in Israel during the time of the Judges. Everyone was doing their own thing. The results were disastrous.
God has a purpose for law. Not only is it to help us in our relationship with Him, but it is to help us in our relationships with one another. This was a concept which the people of Israel would need years to learn.
Father, We often balk at and become critical of the laws which regulate our lives. Help us, in this study in Judges, to understand the vital necessity of law to help us to live lives of meaning and purpose. We thank You for Your grace which is extended to us each day we live. And we thank You for Your faithfulness. Teach us, in the coming days, the necessity of obedience. We pray this in Christ's name. Amen.
| Judges - Table of Contents | ||
|---|---|---|
| Judges 1-2 | Judges 8 | Judges 14 |
| Judges 3 | Judges 9 | Judges 15 |
| Judges 4-5 | Judges 10 | Judges 16 |
| Judges 6 | Judges 11 | |
| Judges 7 | Judges 12-13 | |
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