Did evil in the eyes of the Lord

82. The anger of the Lord burned

Judges 3:7 The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord; they forgot the Lord their God and served the Baals and the Asherahs. The anger of the Lord burned against Israel so that he sold them into the hands of Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram Naharaim, to whom the Israelites were subject for eight years.

But when they cried out to the Lord, he raised up for them a deliverer, Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, who saved them. The Spirit of the Lord came on him, so that he became Israel’s judge and went to war. The Lord gave Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram into the hands of Othniel, who overpowered him. So the land had peace for forty years, until Othniel son of Kenaz died.

Judges 3:12 Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and because they did this evil the Lord gave Eglon king of Moab power over Israel. Getting the Ammonites and Amalekites to join him, Eglon came and attacked Israel, and they took possession of the City of Palms. The Israelites were subject to Eglon king of Moab for eighteen years.

Judges 3:28 “Follow me,” he ordered, “for the Lord has given Moab, your enemy, into your hands.” So they followed him down and took possession of the fords of the Jordan that led to Moab; they allowed no one to cross over. At that time they struck down about ten thousand Moabites, all vigorous and strong; not one escaped. That day Moab was made subject to Israel, and the land had peace for eighty years.

Judges 4:1 Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, now that Ehud was dead. So the Lord sold them into the hands of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. Sisera, the commander of his army, was based in Harosheth Haggoyim. Because he had nine hundred chariots fitted with iron and had cruelly oppressed the Israelites for twenty years, they cried to the Lord for help.

Judges 4:31 Then the land had peace forty years.

Can you see the theme here? There was a falling away from God, punishment, calling out to God, and peace restored. In the cases above punishment was for 8 years, a cry to the Lord, and then peace for 40 years. Punishment for 18 years, a cry to the Lord, and peace for 80 years. Punishment for 20 years, a cry to the Lord, and peace for 40 years.

Why is there a falling away from serving and living for Jesus? What causes or leads us down paths that are not God-honoring, God serving, obedient to God, following God, God-reliant, or God trusting. We have been given examples of what others did but if we were to look deep into our heart and mind we might see, self-centered indulgence, pride, complacency, neglect, worldly wants, and a lack of hunger and thirst for God’s word in our life. When His word is set aside because of the busyness of life, your path is already set on a course away from needing Him. This path is very well worn and seems to be the same path that others are on. Following others down this path does not end well.

Do you want power, peace, and purpose in your life? Stay in His word. Cherish it every day. Seek to hear His quiet small voice of leading. Obediently follow Him. Humbly serve Him.

Do not be double-minded and unstable

Psalms 119:81 My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word. My eyes long for your promise; I ask, “When will you comfort me?” For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, yet I have not forgotten your statutes. How long must your servant endure? When will you judge those who persecute me? The insolent have dug pitfalls for me; they do not live according to your law. All your commandments are sure; they persecute me with falsehood; help me! They have almost made an end of me on earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts. In your steadfast love give me life, that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.

Psalms 119:20 My soul is consumed with longing for your rules at all times.

Psalms 119:40 Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life!

Psalms 42:1-2 As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?

Psalms 84:2 My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.

Psalms 119:42 then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me, for I trust in your word.

Psalms 119:74 Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in your word.

Psalms 119:77 Let your mercy come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight.

Revelation 3:15-16 “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.

Revelation 3:1 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. “‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.

Matthew 24:12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.

Psalms 81:11-13 “But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel would not submit to me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels. Oh, that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways!

Joshua 24:15-24 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve,

Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.

James 1:8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

There are many things that can lead us down a path of being “lukewarm or double-minded”. Probably the most influential would be being complacent with and neglecting God’s word.

His word is a lamp unto my feet, food to my soul, strength to my heart, encouragement to my mind. In and through His word is the “Good News” of the gospel of Jesus Christ, our savior.

Determine in and through His word what it means to humbly serve, honor, glorify, follow and obey Him. Learn of His holiness, grace, mercy, and love. Learn of His promises. Learn to hear His quiet whispers of leading. Learn to trust in, rely on, and cling to Him.

Seems right

“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.