Title: Consequences of a Leadership Vaccuum/Topic: Leadership

Today’s Reading: Judges 19; Judges 20; Judges 21; 2 Corinthians 4

Scripture: Judges 21:25
25 In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.

Observation: This phrase is repeated a couple of times in the book of Judges. I dislike reading the book of Judges because it is one vile story after another of how depraved and wicked men can be. This phrase seems to be the writer's explanation as to the reason all these horrible things were happening. There was no central leadership that the people looked to and everyone did just what they wanted to do with no consideration as to how their actions would affect anyone else.

Application: As much as we value independence and individual rights, this book shows what happens when there are no restraints at all on people. It's ugly! Our sin nature takes over and we become completely self-centered. We need leadership and we need restraints on personal freedom to survive as a society.

Prayer: Father, help us all to embrace your commands. They teach us to love you and to treat others as we want to be treated, with love, kindness and respect. May we pray for our leaders and submit to them for our own good. Thank you for putting limits on us that give us the opportunity to pursue life, liberty and happiness.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.