Read Judges 2.10-19, 17.6
Last time God’s people were on the edge of the promised land. Now the boxes have been unpacked, we rejoin the story. Moses has died and God’s people are being ruled over by a series of judges. And it’s a pretty dark time in their history, summed up by Judges 17.6:
‘Everyone did what was right in his own eyes’
Why dark? Surely this verse is our dream today?! We want to be happy, we want to be free, and we want to decide how to achieve that ourselves. If that’s a new car, relationship, clothes, holiday, then whatever floats your boat, you go for it! We absolutely do not want anyone telling us what to do, especially if they are criticising the way we choose to live our lives.
It sounds amazing. But in reality, I can’t help feeling it’s a noose tightening around my neck… I would love to be happy, but life throws a whole load of obstacles my way and the last thing I need when things are hard is the gnawing feeling that I should be happy. And that if I’m not, it’s my fault. How are we supposed to make ourselves happy? And when I discover the answer for me is playing my music at top volume at 4am, how is that going to work out for the happiness of my neighbours?
Life is not a dream. I can’t always be happy because sometimes sad things happen. And it’s also the case that enjoying some happiness (for example, a pleasant relationship with my neighbours) means forgoing others (blasting the Barbie soundtrack through their walls in the early hours). God’s people find this out the hard way.
God gives them a judge to help them follow his ways.
They decide they’d rather do each man for himself and just decide for themselves what seems right, which includes worshipping some pretty vile gods for their (non existent) favour.
God withdraws the protection he promised them for following his ways.
They realise what they’ve done and cry out to God for help.
God sends them a judge to help them follow his ways.
There’s calm for a while.
But then they decide they’d rather do each man for himself…
And so the whole sorry saga repeats itself again, and again, and again.
What about us? Aren’t we just as prone to going round in circles? I am certainly so easily fooled! Does it have a flashy new advert, or a celeb promising it changed their life, or a great Insta following? Well in that case it really must make me happier! A little way down the line I discover (again) that things always overpromise and underdeliver. So do people. The only place secure enough to place my happiness is in God. Which doesn’t mean I’ll be happy all the time. But he is a great deal more invested in my wellbeing than the bots behind the latest fad. And I don’t know about you, but I do not know how to live life well. It’s not easy. The decision on what to have for dinner every night is hard enough, let alone decisions which require real wisdom. There’s real freedom in having boundaries set for me by a Father who knows what is best for me, and cares that I flourish.
Reflect
What do you think of the idea that we can make ourselves happy, and look out for others around us? How do you find it in practice?
What part of your decision-making autonomy do you think would be hardest to give up?
What would be the best things about allowing God to tell you how to live?
Susie lives in NE Fife and works in ministry. She loves being with friends, feeding people and half finished creative projects.
