“And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord”
Judges 12:7
Jephthah led Israel six years. Then Jephthah the Gileadite died and was buried in a town in GileadAfter him, Ibzan of Bethlehem led Israel. He had thirty sons and thirty daughters. He gave his daughters away in marriage to those outside his clan, and for his sons he brought in thirty young women as wives from outside his clan. Ibzan led Israel seven years. Then Ibzan died and was buried in Bethlehem.
After him, Elon the Zebulunite led Israel ten years. Then Elon died and was buried in Aijalon in the land of Zebulun.
After him, Abdon son of Hillel, from Pirathon, led Israel. He had forty sons and thirty grandsons, who rode on seventy donkeys. He led Israel eight years. Then Abdon son of Hillel died and was buried at Pirathon in Ephraim, in the hill country of the Amalekites. Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, so the Lord delivered them into the hands of the Philistines for forty years.
Judges 3:7
And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. They forgot the Lord their God and served the Baals and the Asheroth. Therefore the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Cushan- rishathaim king of Mesopotamia. And the people of Israel served Cushan- rishathaim eight years
Judges 4:1
And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord after Ehud died. And the Lord sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan
Judges 6:1
The people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord gave them into the hand of Midian seven years
All through Judges we see time and time again of His people falling away. I think about this often and wonder how this happens. Sometimes I think it starts with one person who is looked at as a person of God. His actions and words seem right. Somewhere along the line he takes a small step way and then another and another. I have to think back in his mind he is watching the reaction of those around him for approval or not. Every little step is further and further away from serving God. It is not as though he is wanting to lead people astray but rather trying to justify the way that seems easier for him. The more people who do not speak up and hold him accountable the more others take this path as “Approved”. When men of God do not speak up and hold their brothers and sisters accountable, when they don’t encourage and warn them to honor and glorify God – history shows us how easy it is to follow what the culture is saying is ok. Proverbs states it like this:
“There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way to death.
Even in laughter the heart may ache,
and the end of joy may be grief.
The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways”
People wonder why it is important to read and know scripture. If we do not desire it, read it, know it, meditate on it, remember it, – how can we obey it and live in such a way that all we say and what we do is honoring and glorifying God.
