How can we ensure our decisions align with God's will, as seen in Judges 21? Setting the Scene “ ‘But we cannot give them our daughters as wives,’ for the Israelites had sworn, ‘Cursed is he who gives a wife to a Benjamite.’ ” (Judges 21:18) The nation faced a self-made crisis: a rash vow shut the door on a God-honoring solution. Their scramble to “fix” things shows what happens when decisions race ahead of God’s clear will. Lessons From Israel’s Misstep • They acted before asking. No record appears of prayer or consultation with the LORD when the vow was made (cf. Judges 21:1–2). • A human oath became non-negotiable, while divine commands about justice, mercy, and covenant love were bent (cf. Deuteronomy 6:17). • The result was moral compromise—massacre at Jabesh-gilead and the forced seizure of women at Shiloh (Judges 21:10–23). Principle 1: Begin With God’s Word, Not Personal Promises • Psalm 119:105—“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” • Every choice should start with what Scripture already says. If Israel had remembered Leviticus 19:18 (“love your neighbor”), the vow never would have passed their lips. Principle 2: Seek Guidance Before You Speak or Act • Proverbs 3:5-6—“Trust in the LORD with all your heart… He will make your paths straight.” • James 1:5—Ask for wisdom first; God gives it generously. • Ecclesiastes 5:2—“Do not be hasty in word… God is in heaven and you are on earth, therefore let your words be few.” Practical steps: 1. Pause—refuse to decide under pressure. 2. Pray—invite the Spirit’s leading (Romans 8:14). 3. Probe—search the Scriptures for relevant commands or principles. Principle 3: Test Every Option Against God’s Revealed Commands • Romans 12:2—be “transformed” so we can “prove what is the will of God.” • Any plan violating clear commands (e.g., murder, forced marriages) is automatically outside God’s will, no matter how desperate the circumstances. Principle 4: Wait Patiently for Clear Direction • Psalm 27:14—“Wait for the LORD; be strong… wait.” • Impatience led Israel to invent human work-arounds. Waiting would have allowed God to provide a righteous path they could not see. Principle 5: Surround Yourself With Godly Counsel • Proverbs 15:22—“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisors they succeed.” • Judges 21 shows leaders counseling one another, yet none seem to ask priests or prophets who could relay God’s explicit word (Numbers 27:21). Principle 6: Trust God’s Sovereignty When You’ve Already Erred • 1 John 1:9—confess and receive cleansing. • Israel tried to preserve their vow instead of repenting of it. Owning the mistake would have opened the way for divine forgiveness and a fresh, obedient plan. Putting It Into Practice • Daily Scripture intake keeps God’s priorities fresh. • Habitual prayer invites His oversight into even routine decisions. • An accountability circle (family, elders, mature friends) helps expose blind spots. • Refusal to compromise on clear commands guards against rationalizing sin. • When failure happens, swift confession restores fellowship and clears the path for future obedience. Following these steps guards us from the tragedy summarized in Judges 21:25—“everyone did what was right in his own eyes”—and leads us instead into choices that consistently align with God’s good, pleasing, and perfect will. |
    |