Week of Monday May 4 – May 10
King Jesus – Man as Provider
In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. - Judges 17:6 ESV
Playing checkers with my young grandsons was fun, especially when they would reach my side of the board and excitedly shout, “King me!” This playful demand reflects a deeper desire that we all share—not just to prevail at checkers, but to get our own way. Do whatever we want. We are all born with that bent toward sin that makes us crave to be our own ruler.
Judges 17–18 is a sobering case study wherein the narrator, presumably Samuel, gives us the key to understanding the sordid stuff that unfolds in the rest of the book of Judges: “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (17:6, 21:25). That phrase isn’t just commentary; it’s a serious diagnosis.
Look at the cast of characters: a mother who swung between cursing and blessing while funding idol-making in the name of God; a son named Micah, whose very name—“Who is like Yahweh?”—stood in stark contrast to his actions as he built a personal shrine filled with idols; a Levite, someone called to serve God, who became a mercenary willing to say anything for a paycheck; and the tribe of Dan, which abandoned its God-given territory, stole idols, slaughtered an unsuspecting people, and established a false system of worship.
All of these people were operating by the same flawed standard: what seemed right in their own eyes. This is where the danger lies. This isn’t a story about atheism; there was plenty of religious activity going on, including shrines, priests, and offerings. Instead, it is a story about self-governance masquerading as spirituality. And here’s the kicker: all of this took place in the shadow of Shiloh, the very place where the one true God was to be worshiped according to His Word. The truth wasn’t far away. It wasn’t inaccessible. It was simply ignored.
Idolatry is not always a dramatic rebellion; often, it happens gradually. God’s authority is replaced by our personal preferences, His truth is exchanged for our convenience, and our loyalty to Him is traded for our autonomy. However, once this gradual shift has happened, things can go sideways in a hurry.
Notably, the Levite in this story was Jonathan, the grandson of Moses (see 18:30). Think about that: he was just two generations removed from one of Israel’s greatest leaders, yet he was leading idol worship. This illustrates how fast spiritual compromise can take hold when truth is neglected.
Men, this hits close to home. We are living in a culture that celebrates doing what is “right in our own eyes.” Today, it is expressed as “Follow your heart” or “Live your truth” or “Do what feels right.” It sounds empowering, but it is a path to confusion and destruction. When every man becomes his own king, there is no standard left, only chaos.
The problem in Israel wasn’t the lack of a human king; it was the rejection of the true King. They chose to say, “No, king me!” We face the same choice today. Will we acknowledge God as King in our lives—not just in word, but in practice? Or will we continue to operate as if we are in charge?
How you answer this question has consequences, not only for yourself but also for your family and friends. Our actions set an example for others. In a world that values personal autonomy, men of God must remain steadfast under God’s authority. Instead of saying, “King me!” let us say, “King Jesus!”
King Jesus – Man as Provider
In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. - Judges 17:6 ESV
Playing checkers with my young grandsons was fun, especially when they would reach my side of the board and excitedly shout, “King me!” This playful demand reflects a deeper desire that we all share—not just to prevail at checkers, but to get our own way. Do whatever we want. We are all born with that bent toward sin that makes us crave to be our own ruler.
Judges 17–18 is a sobering case study wherein the narrator, presumably Samuel, gives us the key to understanding the sordid stuff that unfolds in the rest of the book of Judges: “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (17:6, 21:25). That phrase isn’t just commentary; it’s a serious diagnosis.
Look at the cast of characters: a mother who swung between cursing and blessing while funding idol-making in the name of God; a son named Micah, whose very name—“Who is like Yahweh?”—stood in stark contrast to his actions as he built a personal shrine filled with idols; a Levite, someone called to serve God, who became a mercenary willing to say anything for a paycheck; and the tribe of Dan, which abandoned its God-given territory, stole idols, slaughtered an unsuspecting people, and established a false system of worship.
All of these people were operating by the same flawed standard: what seemed right in their own eyes. This is where the danger lies. This isn’t a story about atheism; there was plenty of religious activity going on, including shrines, priests, and offerings. Instead, it is a story about self-governance masquerading as spirituality. And here’s the kicker: all of this took place in the shadow of Shiloh, the very place where the one true God was to be worshiped according to His Word. The truth wasn’t far away. It wasn’t inaccessible. It was simply ignored.
Idolatry is not always a dramatic rebellion; often, it happens gradually. God’s authority is replaced by our personal preferences, His truth is exchanged for our convenience, and our loyalty to Him is traded for our autonomy. However, once this gradual shift has happened, things can go sideways in a hurry.
Notably, the Levite in this story was Jonathan, the grandson of Moses (see 18:30). Think about that: he was just two generations removed from one of Israel’s greatest leaders, yet he was leading idol worship. This illustrates how fast spiritual compromise can take hold when truth is neglected.
Men, this hits close to home. We are living in a culture that celebrates doing what is “right in our own eyes.” Today, it is expressed as “Follow your heart” or “Live your truth” or “Do what feels right.” It sounds empowering, but it is a path to confusion and destruction. When every man becomes his own king, there is no standard left, only chaos.
The problem in Israel wasn’t the lack of a human king; it was the rejection of the true King. They chose to say, “No, king me!” We face the same choice today. Will we acknowledge God as King in our lives—not just in word, but in practice? Or will we continue to operate as if we are in charge?
How you answer this question has consequences, not only for yourself but also for your family and friends. Our actions set an example for others. In a world that values personal autonomy, men of God must remain steadfast under God’s authority. Instead of saying, “King me!” let us say, “King Jesus!”
- In what areas of your life are you operating based on what “feels right” rather than what God has clearly said? Are your beliefs and behaviors shaped by God’s Word, or are you subtly reshaping God to fit your preferences?
- What kind of spiritual legacy are your current decisions creating for your family, your church, and those who follow you?
- Pray for God's forgiveness for the times you have tried to take control of your own life, and ask Him to give you the humility to submit to King Jesus.