Thursday, 30^th November 2023

Andrews Ampomah

TOPIC: JESUS IS OUR LORD AND KING

THEME SCRIPTURE: “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” – Judges 21:25

 

PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:

1. In which period did Israel as a kingdom run with no king?
2. What does it mean to have everybody doing what was right in his eyes?

 

The time of the Judges presents one of the most checkered periods in Israel’s history. Biblical records present some remarkable moments during the reign of the Judges. The period was also characterized by national disorder, spiritual confusion, and apostasy. Notably, the period portrayed an unending cycle of Israel’s sin through unfaithfulness by worshipping idols (Judges 2:11), God’s discipline in His response to Israel’s rebellion by delivering them into the hands of their enemies (Judges 2:14), and God’s deliverance as a response to Israel’s distress call in repentance by appointing a Judge to deliver them from captivity (Judges 3:15).

Unfortunately, this repetitive cycle always ended with Israel indulging deeper in their rebellion and rejection of the God who chose Israel to be His own people (Judges 2:19).

We note a sad commentary in the closing verse of the book of Judges: “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes (Judges 21:25).” There was no king, which meant there was no leadership. There was no king; Israel had rejected God’s leadership and His laws that distinguished them from other nations. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes, which meant that everyone was a law unto himself. This was a system breakdown. Judges Chapter 19 sets off a chain of events when a Levite and his concubine lodge in Gibeah of Benjamin. Despite an old Ephramite’s hospitality, worthless men from Gibeah demanded to gang-rape the Levite. In a tragic turn of events, the Levite’s concubine is raped to death. This leads to an Israelite mobilizing an army against the Benjaminites (Judges 20:1). After the Benjamintes’ destruction, Israel resorts to abducting and kidnapping virgins from Jabesh-Gilead and Shiloh respectively, as wives for the men of Benjamin. What makes these acts heinous is the fact that these women were also their own people. These incidents marked a record low as Israel rejected her God (who was their King) and His laws and did what was right in their own eyes.

Beloved in Christ Jesus, the events in our world today reflect this dark period in Israel’s history—the rejection of God and His Word and the stridency with which men want to have nothing to do with God.

In addition, the open rejection of God’s gender definition to introduce diverse sexual orientations speaks a lot. There’s an absolute national disorder in our countries. Both politicians and professionals engage in all forms of corruption. We’ve rejected the worship of the Living and Eternal God to worship idols that our own hands have made. There is a system breakdown, and moral degeneration in our day is on the rise. We do as we please and act on what is right in our own eyes.

Dearly beloved in the Lord, the Christian who has been delivered from the tyrannical rule of darkness and planted in the kingdom of God’s dear Son can’t live anyhow.

Jesus is our King, and His gracious word is our rule to guide us in our daily lives. For you to do as is right in your own eyes is to deny the Lordship of Christ, being a law unto yourself. Resolve to live as one fully submitted to our Lord and King, Jesus Christ. Hallelujah!

FURTHER READING – Judges 2

Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so 

 

QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:

1. How earnest are you searching out God’s word to live it out on a daily basis?

 

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank you for redeeming me unto yourself and graciously providing the means by which I can live a godly life. Help me by your Holy Spirit to live daily by your word and to model Christ Jesus to the world, Amen.

 

1-Year Bible Reading Plan

Esther 7; Esther 8; Obadiah; Hebrews 3; Hebrews 4; Hebrews 5