The book of Judges is hard to read for this follower of Jesus. The stories are disturbing: the sacrifice of a daughter by her father chapter 11; the raping of a concubine who dies, is cut into twelve pieces and the parts sent to the twelve tribes chapter 19; and Samson's story chapters 13-16 filled with seduction, murder, revenge, sabotage, torture and lust. I just wonder is this what God wanted or a reporting of what happened. When there was no earthly ruler and the people did what was evil in the sight of the LORD. 10.6 are the reports in Judges what God did want and part of what was evil in the sight of God?
God is given credit for much violence, but is that the evil the people choose to do and then said it was God's will? The book of Judges leaves many unanswered questions. What is good and what is evil? What does God asked for us to do and what do we do of our own accord then blame God? Can God turn the evil people do into good?
The one interesting quote for me was 10.13-14 God is speaking to the Israelites, 'Yet you have abandoned me and worshiped other gods; therefore I will deliver you no more. Go and cry to the gods whom you have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your distress.' Even now we worship other gods: money, status, possessions, isms of all kinds. When we are in trouble can any of these gods save us. Sometimes they are the very source of our distress. From Judges, we are reminded to worship God only. It is the LORD who can save us, comfort us, and give us peace. No other thing on earth or in the heavens can deliver us from our problems. Often our problems are caused by chasing after other gods.
Maybe the lesson from Judges this week is to seek God and to worship God only. Maybe in doing this we will not be the cause of problems for ourselves and others.
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