Word Up Ministries

April 6, 2024

Scripture:

JUDGES 19:1-21:25

In Those Days

In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.

Judges 21:25

My Takeaways

Something Old

We’ve moved from “simple” idolatry and spiritual adultery to civil war and complete chaos.

Warren Wiersbe describes the people in “those days”:

Independent from God
Indifferent to His law

Independent

not subject to another's authority or jurisdiction; autonomous; free
not dependent; not depending or contingent upon something else for existence

Indifferent

without interest or concern; not caring; apathetic
showing no care or concern; uninterested

The follower of Christ shouldn’t live as God’s people did in “those days.” In “these days” the follower of Christ should live as if we have a King, because we do. His Name is Jesus. We were created to be independent in God and live freely in His jurisdiction.

Dependent on and subject to Him

LORD, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine. The land you have given me is a pleasant land. What a wonderful inheritance
‍Psalm 16:5-6

For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.
Romans 8:7 (ESV)

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:5 (ESV)

But for us, there is one God, the Father, by whom all things were created, and for whom we live. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things were created, and through whom we live.
1 Corinthians 8:6

One God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all.
Ephesians 4:6

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:7 (ESV)

Indifferent to the world; responsive and partial to His Word

We are to hold God’s Word in the highest esteem; to keep and guard it as we would a treasure.

If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
John 14:15 (ESV)

Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.
John 14:21 (ESV)

But Peter and the apostles answered, We must obey God rather than men.
Acts 5:29 (ESV)

And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.
2 John 1:6 (ESV)

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)

Something New

Now in those days Israel had no king.
Judges 19:1a

They had a king, but the king wasn’t like the kings of the neighboring nations. Do I want to be like others more than I want to be like Christ? More than I desire His Lordship over my life and Word in my heart?