The book of Judges talks about a time in Israel’s history when the tribes really settled in to living in Canaan. Time after time after time we see the Israelites being influenced by the other people that lived in the area. It did not take long for the Israelites to start worshiping Baal and Asherah, two of the predominant idols in the land. They had no central, spiritual leader. They all just kind of did whatever they wanted. The last line of the book of Judges sums it all up: “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25b).
When we get to doing things based off of our own thoughts, feelings, and judgements, we can justify almost anything. We may say that “Things have just been so hard, therefore its ok for me to act this way or do this thing.” Or “That person has hurt me so it seems right in my eyes that they need to hurt too.”
Imagine if Jesus had said those things.
Our thoughts and feelings change frequently. But scripture never does. Perhaps that’s why Jesus answered Satan with “For it is written…” rather than “You know, I kind of think that…”
When the Israelites did what was right in their own eyes, they were defeated time after time after time. But when they turned their hearts to God, He delivered them. I bet the same is true for us today.
“Trust in the Lord and lean not on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5)