Avalanche

Judges 10-16 show the deteriorating condition of the Israelites' walk with God. The judges follow Gideon's example in both good ways and bad, delivering Israel but also getting rich. Three judges are listed as having many children and worldly possessions in passing, and the longer narratives of Jephthah and Samson demonstrate that they focused on themselves all too often. Yet God uses such people to deliver others out of their distresses.

"Cursed is the man who puts his trust in man, and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the LORD (Jeremiah 17:5 NKJV)." The people were not trusting God enough to obey His law completely, even on their best days. We too must come to terms with this and know that only God can truly save us.

Snowed Under

Judges 17-21 describe Israel without a strong leader, between the time of Samson and the time of Saul. The people now had a complete disregard for both man and God, did whatever they wanted, and ended up in a state of civil war. The incident with the idol and the children of Dan, and the rape of the concubine show just how degenerate the people had become.

Without accountability towards others we end up doing what we think is best. May God deliver us from doing what is right in our own eyes, and may we serve Him as our King.

Provisions

The book of Ruth shows one family during the lawless period of the judges, their stay in Moab, and return to Bethlehem. A foreign woman is determined to serve the God of Israel in a time when the people of Israel serve foreign gods. This woman, Ruth, who demonstrates her commitment in both word and deed, is blessed with a child from whom comes a king that God chooses.

God loves those who seek him, no matter what their history or background. The Moabites were permanently excluded from the worshiping community of Israel, and anyone who even had a Moabite ancestor within living memory was excluded. But God in His mercy shows favor to Ruth, and makes her 4th generation descendant David king over Israel. God will also be merciful to us and to those around us, and give us new life if we just choose to follow Him.

The Last Judge

Samuel 1-7 introduces the title character, Samuel, who is about to usher in a new chapter in the history of Israel. As a boy he serves with Eli in the tabernacle and hears the voice of God, who tells Samuel that because of Eli's lax discipline with his sons he and his descendants will be permanently removed from the priesthood. As this prophecy begins to be fulfilled with the deaths of Hophni and Phinehas, the ark of the covenant, the visible reminder of God's presence, is taken from Israel and captured by the Philistines, who are humbled by God and are forced to return it. With the ark now back with Israel, Samuel encourages a heartfelt return to serving the Lord, and intercedes for the people as God delivers them from the Philistines.

God is a God who loves justice and hates lawlessness (Psalm 45:6), and He will not tolerate those who do not practice them for very long. But He also loves mercy, and He does not withdraw His presence from those He has chosen forever. These things we should remember if we truly wish to be like Him.

Why have a king?

Samuel 8-12 formally addresses the people's desire to have a king. Samuel doesn't like it, probably considering this as a personal attack, but God shows Samuel that they really don't want God ruling over them. So God has a both a verbal description of how kings act and a living example in the person of Saul, who starts out well but has a long way to go in his career.

God ultimately is the one who must rule over His people. Human leaders, whether judges, kings, priests, or other authority figures, must derive that authority from God, or else they become tyrants and oppressors of the people.