TEXT: Judges 21:25

SUBJECT: A King in Israel

CHAOS

The Book of Judges relates the history of Israel from the death of Joshua to the birth of Samuel some 250 years later. It was an age of disorder or chaos. What Daniel said of his generation applies equally to this one,

Chaos begins in the soul. The People are commanded to remember their God and to destroy the idols of Canaan. But they do just the opposite: They forget the LORD and worship the gods of the land. 2:11 says "The children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals". Had they done this once or twice, it would have been appalling. But, of course, they didn't. They turned from God to idols over and over and over again. Chaos in the soul.

It begins in the soul, but it won't stay there. Men who stray from God become unfaithful to their families. Thus, we have men taking multiple wives; allowing their daughters to be kidnapped; giving their concubines to rapists; stealing family treasure; defaming their fathers and murdering their brothers. All these horrid things are found in the Book of Judges. And more. Chaos in the home.

From the home it gets into society. Read the Book and you'll find robbery, murder, rape, sodomy, civil war, and other things that make life unlivable. Chaos in society.

It gets into the leadership too. The Priests forget God to serve the highest bidder. Even the Judges are cowardly, immoral, rash, bloodthirsty, and idolatrous. Chaos in high places.

God's People are in a state of chaos. Their souls; their families; their society; their leadership. All is chaos.

THE CAUSE

Do you know why? It's because "Everyone did what was right in his own eyes".

You were not made to "do your own thing". Adam and Eve were not given this liberty. No one is; not even Christ. You are made to serve God and to find your freedom in obedience.

When you choose to "Do what is right in your own eyes", pain, confusion, and death must follow. The Book of Judges makes this point repeatedly. And so does your own life. Do you regret obeying God? Or is it obeying yourself, your lusts, your pride, and your peers that make you feel ashamed?

Israel was in chaos because "Everyone did what was right in his own eyes".

THE NEED

If God's People are in a state of chaos, what do we need? Our verse tells us. "Everyone did what was right in his own eyes--because--"In those days there was no king in Israel".

What we need is a King. We need someone to rule us wisely and to protect us from our enemies.

The Judges did this off and on. The problem is, there was no continuity. When a Judge died, it would be years or decades until the next one was given. During this time, Israel fell back into its evil ways and suffered war, occupation, famine, and so on.

Something more permanent is needed. A Royal House must be built in Israel.

A king was needed. But not just any king. Abimelech, the son of Gideon, declared himself king. But this created more division and unrest among God's People. He died at the hands of his own nation.

Later, another king was chosen, Saul. He was "the people's choice"--tall, handsome, valiant. But he too failed. His twenty years on the throne were marked by war, civil unrest, high taxes, and even witchcraft. The people's king did not bring the peace and freedom they longed for.

God deposed that king and replaced him with "a man after His own heart". David became the great King of Israel. His son, Solomon expanded the kingdom and made it famous for wisdom, riches, and glory.

They were a big improvement on the Judges, but the basic problem was unchanged. David and Solomon died, leaving the kingdom of God to lesser men. Think of Rehoboam the fool. Or Jeroboam "who made Israel to sin". And they weren't that bad!

Think of Ahab who "Sold himself to work evil in the sight of the LORD". Or, Manasseh who ruled in great wickedness for more than fifty years!

The People of God need a king. But mortal men won't do. Only an Immortal King guarantees our future.

THE GIFT

God promises to send that king. Gideon hints at it. When offered the kingdom for himself and his heirs, he refuses: "I will not rule over you, neither will my son rule over you. The LORD will rule over you".

Others make it more explicit. King David is writing from Jerusalem, yet he orders his gatekeepers to prepare for the King's arrival!

David is a king. But not "the king of glory".

Isaiah makes the same point.

there will be no end..."

Micah says the same.

Zechariah urges us to look carefully for God's King, for He's coming in an unexpected way.

"Behold, your King comes to you

This is the Promise of God. He will give us a King worthy of His Name, One able to rule us in wisdom and defend us in power.

God has kept that promise!

Wise men came from the Orient asking, "Where is He who is born king of the Jews?"They were sent to Bethlehem. There they found a young boy, to whom they gave royal gifts--"Gold, frankincense, and myrrh". That boy was the Lord of Glory!

He was a King from birth. But He didn't receive the honors due His Majesty. No, this life gave Him no crown, but "a crown of thorns".

Men rejected Him, despised Him, crucified Him, buried Him. But God overturned their judgment!

He raised Him from the dead. And forty days later, He enthroned Him in Glory. Now He has "A name that is above every name". "At His Name, every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that `Jesus is Lord'".

The world rages in unbelief. But God "Laughs them to scorn and holds them in derision". Do you know why? Because whatever they say or do or think or plan, won't change this fact:

THE APPLICATION

What is our duty in response to the coronation of Jesus Christ?

CLOSE

Long ago, an inspired scribe wrote, "In those days, there was no king in Israel, and everyone did what was right in his own eyes".

What he said was true. God's People didn't have a king back then. But now we do. Jesus Christ. That means we can live in obedience and peace and hope.

I pray we will. Under His Lordship. And to His glory. God bring it to pass. For Christ's sake. Amen.