I just finished the book of Judges yesterday. Very depressing! This book paints a picture of the very lowest times in the history of Israel. It ends with a verse that is partially mentioned earlier in the book several times,
Jdg 21:25 "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes."
I have been thinking about that verse, and it's earlier versions in the book as the author says, "In those days there was no king in Israel." I know this is important because of its repeated theme. It appears that having a king would remedy everyone doing "their own thing."
How does this translate to the Christian life today? It seems to plug into my life rather nicely- if I make Christ the king in my life I won't be doing my own thing, doing what's right in my own eyes. If I don't make him king I do find that I easily wander off. I'm not talking about lordship salvation here, I'm simply talking about Christ being lord and king in my life.
So, that leads me to the next thought- What's the job of a king? What was he to do? How would my life be different under the rule of a king? What does the kingship of Christ in my life look like as I live each day? How do I bow my knee to this king and honor him? How do I tell when I'm not letting the king do his job, and find myself trying to be king myself? Do I even acknowledge him as my king in my daily life?
I'm not interested in answering all of these questions for those of you reading this blog, I'm simply thinking out loud for myself. You will have to answer them for yourself as you decide who is king in your life.
4 comments:
I still love the story of Gideon, though. "Oh valliant warrior!" I think I would have reacted as Gideon did - "Who ME???" I love it that God sees us so differently than we see ourselves. I wish I could see more of those good qualities that He sees in me.
Judges also makes me think about the young man who spoke to the teens at Pine Cove a couple of years ago from the book of Judges. He told the story of Ehud and King Eglon. My son said the whole cabin went back and read the entire book of Judges since it was so "cool." (You know, blood, swords, death, excessively fat kings that get whacked...middle school boy stuff).
hi...i'm from Rock Hill, SC...you have no clue who i am but i saw your blog and wanted to give you encouragement with your church, whatever your needs are. Have a blessed day!
Love in Jesus Christ,
Matthew Thomas
Hebrews 12:11
Great Questions Mike!
I found it interesting that originally God was to be their King, but the people wanted to be like the other kingdoms and have someone rule them...
So even a deeper issue is we tend toward placing a "ruler" in between us and God, to fix everything, and we also deny God to be the sole/soul Rule in our life...
To solve this, we are given Jesus... a man so we can relate, (though we seem to have created God/Man out of Him that negates the relational aspect of Jesus and the Father... and really muddies up the whole idea of "incarnation" but that is another topic)
This is why I love Major Ian Thomas... as he cuts to the wick... it is not our life anyway... it is Christ in us, our hope of Glory!
In that as we do the work of the King, we are doing His will... just as Jesus did with the Father...
We bring glory to the King, as we build His kingdom and not our own.
BTW, I just added your blog to the infamous list of people that inspire me....
blessings,
iggy
Matthew, thanks for your note. I appreciate your comments.
Iggy, thanks for the link, I do enjoy your sight so much
Post a Comment