What are the consequences when "everyone did what was right in his own eyes"? Setting the Stage: Israel Without a King “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 21:25) • Israel had rejected the Lord’s rule in practice (1 Samuel 8:7). • Tribal elders, priests, and Levites failed to provide godly leadership (Judges 18:30; Malachi 2:7-8). • The result was a vacuum where each person became his or her own moral authority. What “Right in His Own Eyes” Looked Like in Judges • Idolatry normalized—Micah’s shrine and the tribal theft of his priest and idols (Judges 17–18). • Sexual perversion and violence—abuse of the Levite’s concubine leading to her death (Judges 19). • Civil war—eleven tribes nearly annihilated Benjamin (Judges 20). • Human-made “solutions” that only deepened sin—kidnapping the women of Jabesh-gilead and Shiloh to provide wives for Benjamin (Judges 21). These narratives showcase the societal unraveling that follows subjective morality. Broad Biblical Witness to the Same Pattern • “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” (Proverbs 14:12; cf. 21:2) • “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil.” (Isaiah 5:20) • Romans 1:21-32 traces the downward spiral when people suppress truth and redefine morality. Consequences Then—and Now 1. Moral Chaos – Boundaries blur; sin is rebranded as virtue (Judges 17:6). 2. Injustice and Violence – The vulnerable suffer first, as with the concubine (Judges 19:25-28). 3. Social Fragmentation – Tribes turn on one another; unity collapses (Judges 20:12-13). 4. Loss of God’s Blessing – Divine favor departs; Israel experiences defeat and sorrow (Judges 20:21, 26). 5. Vicious Cycle of Sin – Human schemes to “fix” problems create new sins (Judges 21:1-4, 19-23). Timeless Lessons for Believers • God alone sets absolute moral standards (Exodus 20:1-17; Matthew 5:17-19). • Rejecting His authority invites personal and communal disaster. • Righteousness exalts a nation; sin is a reproach to any people (Proverbs 14:34). Practical Steps to Avoid the Same Trap • Submit consciously to Christ as King (Colossians 1:13-18). • Ground decisions in Scripture, not preference (Psalm 119:105). • Surround yourself with accountable community—leaders who teach sound doctrine (Hebrews 13:7; Titus 1:9). • Let the Holy Spirit renew the mind daily (Romans 12:2; Galatians 5:16-25). Closing Thought When everyone follows personal preference over divine precept, chaos reigns; when God’s Word rules our hearts, blessing and order follow. |
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