Judges aren’t too popular these days–have you noticed that? Perhaps that is because it is their job to enforce the law but so many seem to think they should legislate from the bench instead. Rewriting the law instead of upholding it is so much more fun.
Who knows?
What I do know is that judging rightly is no easy task. People have been messing it up for thousands of years.
There were judges in the Bible. In fact, there is an entire book of the Bible dedicated to them entitled, appropriately, “Judges.” And in it we can see what a tricky business it is to righteously oversee the people of God. You render a verdict and someone’s going to lose. Not everyone is going to be happy. So, above all else, judges need to let go of the natural tendency to please everyone. You simply can’t do it. Anyone you judge guilty is not going to be very happy with you. They tend to take imprisonment or capital punishment personally.
Go figure.
Even so, to live rightly before the Lord takes good judgment. It also takes courage to stand alone, conviction to stick to what’s right, boldness to speak up when the Lord nudges you to do so, love, in order not to judge to harshly, and a great deal of discernment so that you don’t make too many grievous errors that can greatly affect someone’s entire life. I wouldn’t want to be a judge. Too much stress. Too little reward. Now a pastor? That’s–
Never-mind.
Back to the Judges. Before there was king David, earlier than the wisest man on earth (king Solomon), and long before the Israelites finally subdued all their enemies and had a chance to enjoy (albeit briefly) their promised land–the people of Israel were ruled by the judges. These judges rose up because of the disobedience of the people of Israel, their worship of false gods, and their inability to trust God for even the smallest victory. Their sinful patterns were so ridiculously predictable that an immediate pattern emerges from the very first chapter of the book. It is as follows:
- Disobedience…
- Domination…
- Deliverance…
And it happened over and over and over again like clockwork.
But the people never seemed to notice or learn form the history. Instead they would begin to abandon God almost immediately after each bailout He sent their way.
Mind-boggling!
For where the Judges come in, we have to zoom in on the cycle to see it in greater detail. It is my hope that in seeing this we will learn from their mistakes and avoid the same pitfalls.
That’s the plan anyway. OK? So, here we go…
What precedes disobedience?
Disinterest.
Think about it. If we are truly dialed in to God and care about His love and respect His holiness, than we are not likely to disobey. If; however, we drift to a point where we don’t really even believe He’s involved in the everyday affairs of mankind, then we will lose interest in the things of God and disbelieve is sure to follow. I mean, what’s to stop you? God? You aren’t even sure you believe He’s out there. Why would you care about disobedience?
You wouldn’t, so let’s move on.
Now you’re living in full blown rebellion against the things of God. What’s God likely to do? You dessert Him, He’ll dessert you. You pull away from Him, He’ll step back and let you fall on your face.
Now comes Domination. The things you thought were fun (drugs, sex, cheating, etc) are now dominating your life in the form of rejection from friends and addiction from drugs and alcohol. It could be other things as well, but I think you get the point.
Now comes Desperation.
It doesn’t take long to figure out that being dominated by everyone and everything in your life is no fun, but you’re full on obsessive compulsive now. You couldn’t break the cycle of sin, addiction, and disobedience if you tried. And that’s just it, you don’t try. You don’t even have the will too anymore. You’re desperate.
The good thing about being desperate is that desperate people are ready to try desperate means in order to find salvation. So you begin crying out to God for deliverance from the very depths of your soul. And since God loves you, guess what?
He answers. But the answer takes the form you least expected. It comes as a present from God. That’s right, God comes bearing gifts. The gift is repentance.
God stirs in your heart and you begin to see your little rebellion for what it is–an act of disobedience and defiance against God Himself. So you repent AND cry out for help. You “DEPART” from your evil ways.
And God answers again. This time He reaches down and pulls you out of the mire.
DELIVERANCE.
And then it starts all over again.
That’s the sad part for Israel. It always started all over again. They never learned their lesson and gave up their sin for good. Instead, they would blame anyone and everyone else–judging them and elevating themselves.
But their defeat can be our victory. Learn from the cycles of the Israelites. Do what Hebrews 12:1 says,
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Break the cycle and chase God and His ways above all else.
And judge not.
Now, I could go through each step one by one and tell you what the Bible says, but I’d rather cut to the chase on this one (Translation: It’s late and I need to go to bed!).
Since it all begins–the whole vicious downward spiral–with a disinterest in God–let’s not allow that disinterest to ever develop. Here’s what you do.
Chase God! Spend time with Him each and everyday, pray without ceasing, give back to God and don’t allow your stuff to become an idol in your life, know His Word, break the patterns of sin in your life and surround yourself with other believers who can help you alone.
Hey wait! This all sounds familiar.
I remember now. The Wimp to Warrior Boot Camp! Why reinvent the wheel? Instead, join over 700 of us @ Southbrook Church who are doing all the above and more. Just click here to get started.
Pastor Rob
P.S. Parents – be sure and read the 100 Day Challenge Kid Blog with your kids – click here