Judges 17:1-13
In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes (Judges 17:6).

We would look at the book of Judges where we would consider what happened behind the scenes that led to the movement of Elimelech and his family from Bethlehem to Moab. Today’s passage gives us a peep into the time they lived.

Four times in the book of Judges our focal text was repeated (see Judges 17:6; 18:1; 19:1; 21:25). The people had no fear of God and did what they deemed right. The worship of God has collapsed. Immorality and idolatry was on the rise. These were dark days. Israelites’ apostasy and sin was high. In that time, God’s judgment upon His people included famine and war. God allowed them to be invaded by neighboring countries like the Ammonites, Amalekites, and the Philistines.

From Ruth Chapter 1, we understand that Elimelech left Bethlehem during one of these famines. Interestingly, the book of Judges reveals a cyclical pattern of sin, suffering, supplication and salvation. When they cry out to God, He will answer them, raise a Judge for them and then send them rain. This may further explain what we read in Ruth 1:6 about God’s visitation.

Nevertheless, the book provides tremendous opportunities for us to learn and understand how our relationship with God and our decisions could affect our generation and destinies. It is my prayer that as we study the book we would learn at the feet of Jesus and trust Him to help us manage our time of personal disruptions.

Your Turn

• Ask the Lord to teach us His word.
• Pray for me and my team that we will be filled with fresh grace as we prepare for the next edition. Thank You.

Hymn: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God Almighty.

Reading through the New Testament: Acts 14