This morning I read Judges 17.
It’s a story of spiritually immature, self-centered decisions.
An easy-to-overlook verse that shows up in the midst of the story really clarifies the issue at hand.
It would be easy to draw the conclusion from this verse that a king was what was missing—that having a centralized source of authority would fix everything. That’s what we need! A king!
In fact, a time would come in a few more years when they would demand a king. – 1 Samuel 8.
How did that work out for ancient Israel once they got a king?
They had some good ones and some bad ones.
They had some good ones that did bad things.
Every time the regime changed, the rules changed, and nothing any king did—no rules enacted—was a permanent solution.
Could it be that it was a “heart” problem all along?
Could it be that focusing on rules (laws) and rule (power) never results in a thriving society?
Could it be that, until our hearts have been transformed by the grace and mercy of God, we will continue to be immature and self-centered?
Could it be that what we’re looking for will elude us as long as we think the change must begin with someone else?
Be amazing today, my friend.
