Articles & Devotionals
Who’s Driving The Bus?
Recently, the teens have started a study of the Judges. This is a study that has taught me so much as I prepare as well as the teens who attend. It is sobering to see Israel continually find a way to overlook and disobey a God who only seeks the best for them.
In teaching this, I think it is essential to give the teens a fuller understanding of the people of Israel before this point. The period of the Judges directly follows a somewhat successful campaign by Moses’ predecessor Joshua. Joshua proved his worth as a great and mighty military leader as well as a devout follower of God when he supported Caleb in opposition to the other ten spies (Numbers 13) and can be quoted saying “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15).” While Moses is still regarded as possibly the best leader of Israel (excluding God himself), Joshua stands tall as a faithful and fearsome leader of God against blasphemous enemies.
Even with strong leadership like that of Moses and Joshua, Israel still seemed to struggle with the same issues. Idolatry and disobedience almost seemed to be a part of the DNA of God’s chosen people. A great man like Joshua could curb this lust for self satisfaction, but only as long as he could live. After the death of Joshua, the people of Israel begin to experience the consequences of their partially successful conquest.
Because the people did not drive out all the nations ( a complete list is available in Judges 1:27-36), fraternization with the surrounding people became all too tempting. They began to take their daughters as wives and this led to increased idolatry. God even allowed the nations around Israel to overtake them and conquer them. In these moments of great despair Israel would cry out for relief and God would relinquish this punishment in the form of a Judge to bring deliverance.
These Judges were incredibly successful in defending God’s people and leading them from the brink of ruin. This success, much like that of Joshua’s or Moses’, was limited to the lifespan of the “man in charge.” Thus, the phrase “and the people did what was evil in the sight of the Lord” repeats over and over like a broken record player.
How could Israel be so foolish? How could they not figure it out? What I think is the issue is a skewed sense of loyalty. The loyalty in this case is to that of a specific Judge or figure that takes the place of God. When this leader is in place, it is like God is right in front of them, leading them to victory daily. But when such a person dies, it is like God leaving again so that calamity could overtake them.
Today it is all too easy to allow this mentality to creep into our minds. As we respect and love those who lead us, we enjoy a beautiful system of leadership that God has given to help the church grow and thrive. But at the end of the day, this system is maintained and comprised of people. People who are imperfect and flawed just like the rest of us. Follow them, learn from them, but don’t make the mistake of elevating them above God. Otherwise, we set ourselves up for capture.
I pray that we are able to fix our eyes and hearts on God and keep ourselves from becoming too fixated on what is limited to this earth. I hope you all have a great week, and continue to stay safe!
