Juízes 21

Juízes 21

Morris - This tragic indictment, first made in Jdg 17:6+, is repeated in this final verse of the book. In between these accusations (Judges 17-21) is found the most appalling description of moral and spiritual chaos that one can encounter anywhere. Yet these people were the chosen people of God, and were no more than one generation away from Joshua and "the elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the LORD, that He did for Israel" (Jdg 2:7+). Their fathers had served the Lord during that period, but then "there arose another generation after them" who "did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim" (Jdg 2:10,11+). It is highly probable that it was during this generation that the tragic events of Judges 17--21 took place (see notes on Jdg 18:1+ and Jdg 20:28+). When the younger generation forsakes the faith of their fathers and begins to compromise with the pantheistic cultures of their ungodly neighbors, it may not be long before they descend into utter wickedness (Ro 1:21-32+). Almost the same thing is happening to the current generation in America and other Christian nations today. (Defenders Study Bible) This tragic indictment, first made in Jdg 17:6+, is repeated in this final verse of the book… so Judges does not seem to end like a fairy tale where "they all lived happily ever after." But in God's wonderful merciful providence there is a "Now" in Ru1:1+ which shines forth as a bright flame of hope in the midst of a crooked & perverse generation who did not know God nor know His power (Jdg 2:10+ contrast w the previous generation Jdg 2:7+). Moses warned the people before they entered the Promised Land "You shall not do at all what we are doing here today, every man doing whatever is right in his own eyes (Dt 12:8+) Solomon addressed this same problem writing… Behold, I have found only this, that God made men upright, but they have sought out many devices. (Eccl 7:29). Every man's way (journey, path, direction, course of life, moral character) is right (upright, just, correct, pleasing, fitting, proper, righteous) in his own eyes, BUT (Beloved, our flesh coerces, cajoles, constrains and compels us to "forget" this vital, important "BUT" [contrast]. Oh, how we need to continually maintain a healthy "fear of the LORD" in our mind's eye, cp 1Pe 1:17+, Pr 8:13, Pr 16:6, Pr 28:14, 2Co 7:1+) the LORD weighs the hearts. (Pr 21:2) Comment: SELF DECEPTION of SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS … AN AMAZING UNIVERSAL ("every man") HUMAN TRAIT that rationalizes our sins and overt transgressions against the Holy One. There is an amazing ability within us all to explain away that in ourselves which we would severely censure in others (Pr 16:2, Pr 22:6, cp Mt 7:1-4+). A man will never believe his real character until the divine mirror is held before him (Ro 7:9+). Pilate considered himself "innocent" of the guilt of putting Jesus to death merely by washing his hands (!!!) (Mt 27:24), and the Jews considered themselves absolved from their part by refusing to enter the judgment hall and by eating the Passover (Jn 18:28). However, one's righteousness is determined by how he stands in the sight of God, who weighs the "heart" and not actions (cf. 1Sa 16:7). Even imprisoned criminals are commonly found still to be justifying and blaming others for the sinful deeds which caused their problems because of the human heart which "is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick" (Jer 17:9). It takes God Himself, the Holy Spirit, to bring true conviction and repentance to the heart of a sinner (Jn 16:7-11). Self righteousness is a sin common to man. There is an amazing ability within all of us to explain away that in ourselves which we would severely censure in others (Pr 16:2, Pr 22:6, Ro 2:1-3+). They thought that what they were doing was "right" (cp Isa 5:20,21+). What was "righteous" in his own eyes sounds like "values clarification" or "situation ethics" of the late 20th Century -- taking prayer and Bible out of the schools left a void and "no King" (in a manner of speaking). Result? Everyone began to do his own thing. Nike's commercial sadly sums up this pathetic plight of America "Just do it" (And in late 2009 we see the leading sports face for Nike, Tiger Woods, sadly lived up to this slogan! This would be funny if it were not so tragic and true!) or the beer commercial "You just go around once so grab for all the gusto you can!" Spiritually speaking, we are living today in the Book of Judges; for there is no king in Israel, and there will not be until Jesus returns. Like Israel in the past, many of God’s people today are living in unbelief and disobedience and are not enjoying the blessings of God. Warren Wiersbe sees the book of Judges from an interesting prophetic perspective "Judges is the book of “no king,” 1 Samuel is the book of “man’s king” (Saul), and 2 Samuel is the book of “God’s king” (David). The world today is living in the Book of Judges because there is no king in Israel. When presented with their rightful King, the Jews said, “We have no king but Caesar.” (Jn 19:15) Next on the agenda is the appearance of “man’s king” (Antichrist) who will usher in world control and chaos. Then “God’s King” will appear, defeat His enemies, and establish His righteous kingdom. Note that the Book of Ruth takes place during the period of the Judges (Ruth 1:1-note) and that it is a love story and a harvest story. God’s people are living in the Book of Ruth, sharing in the harvest and waiting for the wedding (Ed: And for the day when all the kingdoms of earth will be given over to the King of kings - Rev 11:15-note)…Moses warned that Israel would one day want a king like the other nations and forget that they were a unique nation, unlike the Gentiles (Deut. 4:5, 6, 7, 8; 14:2; 17:14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20; Ex 19:4, 5). What other nation had the Creator, the Lord of heaven and earth, as their King? (See context in The Bible Exposition Commentary) (Bolding added) A C Gaebelein - A king was needed to remedy these sad internal conditions, this departure from God and strife of one against the other. This is an evident link with and preparation for the history which follows. Even so in this age of evil, darkness and cunning lawlessness; what the world needs is a king, the King of righteousness and peace. When He comes, order will be brought out of chaos, all strife and war, all bloodshed and lawlessness will cease. (Judges 21 Commentary) A W