WARNING: *Explicit*

October 2

Read: Judges 19-21

WARNING: *Explicit*

I can’t think of a more disturbing passage of the bible than the last three chapters of Judges. It is some of the most graphic and twisted narrative that I know of in God’s word. What does it have for us today? How are we supposed to respond to these tails of attempted sodomy, rape, murder, kidnapping, and civil unrest… all AMONGST the people of God? Here is something I know for sure:

-The Frailty of Human Leadership and Redemption-

The tragic ending of Judges shows us the temperance and fleeting nature of the “redemption” that comes from human efforts; even those human efforts that are infused with God’s power do not create LASTING transformation. Over and over again the people of God are redeemed, invigorated, and return to worshipping God only to have their commitment die out and a new generation rise up “who does what is right in their own eyes”. Some of the greatest Judges and leaders do indeed bring about change in God’s people for a season - but it ALWAYS proves to be temporal. It becomes clear here in Judges that the people of God need a deliverer that is even greater / different / better than a human infused with the Spirit of God and called by the Lord. The people of God need a savior whose origin story is outside of us. We need a Philipians 2 sort of savior… we need JESUS.

The initiatives, efforts, and social “change” that comes from people - even “Godly” people - will never last forever. Only the change and work that the Lord brings through Christ has a chance to endure. This is why there is a fundamental shift in the people of God that takes place after Jesus Christ has come. (cf. Eph. 1,2,3) This is not at all an attempt to discourage Christian leaders, but rather ENCOURAGE us as Gods people to root our efforts in Christ and the work that THE FATHER is calling us to do. This is lasting work. That sort of change DOES endure. That sort of ministry can successfully pass from one generation to the next - unlike the fragile change we see here in Judges that is wrecked at the end of a single generation.

The greatest threats to God’s people come from within. We may be tempted to think that outside forces are the biggest issue - but truth be told - “if God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31) It is more likely that we will crumble from within, give ourselves to doing what is right in our own eyes, and be devoured by division and infighting before we are “handed over to” any outside force. This is why Paul warns the Ephesian Father’s of the “wolves that will come”. (cf. Acts 20:29) When the people of God become divided, start stealing from each other (even their own families!) and violently preying upon one another there is little hope for healthy representation of the Lord. In the end, this leads to death and destruction. This is what leads to raped and murdered wives… entire cities destroyed… and the death of innocent woman and children.

This is why we desperately NEED Jesus Christ and the transformation HE brings. This is why we MUST be led by CHRIST FIRST, and then the human leaders that serve CHRIST can function in a healthy way for the people of God. This is why CHRIST is the HEAD OF THE CHURCH and not your senior pastor, or favorite Christian celebrity, or any other human. (cf. Eph. 5:23) Godly men and women are transformed by Christ and have the Holy Spirit dwelling within them, and we can follow them as they follow Christ. This is not exactly how it is, but maybe a good way to put it is - in Christ - it is like we are ALL being made the “Judges”. The Spirit is coming to ALL of God’s people. (cf. Acts 2) We, as children of God, have all been brought from death to life… we have all had our stone hearts taken out and given hearts of flesh that beat for the Lord. (cf. Ezekiel 11:19, Rom. 6:13) This is why we can - and should - have HOPE. Hope for lasting change. Hope for transformation. Hope that God is unfolding a kingdom that will not unravel the way that God’s people have in the past. We have hope that we do not have to turn out like the end of the book of Judges… by the GRACE of GOD! May we be reminded of this when we begin to put our hope and trust in humans as opposed to Christ. No human alone - even one like Othniel, Ehud, Gideon, Deborah, Samson, or any other who has the Spirit and directed by God - can change a nation or people in any lasting way! Only Christ can. Christ is going to do what he is going to do in his people… and he is making us a “nation of judges”… a nation of those directed by God… a nation of those filled with the Spirit… and we follow JESUS the truer and better Judge. This is the way we avoid devouring ourselves in moral failure and civil war! Lasting change and transformation for us and the world around us… THIS is the Kingdom of God. Love you guys! That’s a wrap on Judges… new book coming soon. - JDP