Judges 19, Proverbs 27, Hebrews 12

One thing leads to another. The depth of depravity described here didn't get that way overnight. It crept up like a cat stalking a mouse. The nation of Israel, tribe by tribe and city by city, rejected God. They turned to idols and did whatever they wanted. Today we might call it a progressive society. In this case, we mean one that progresses away from any religious or moral underpinnings. The word "freedom" might be invoked, misused to mean everybody can do their own thing without regard for the consequences to anyone else.

Chapter 19 presents a stark picture, but we must face it full-on if we're to avoid repeating it.

Solomon wanted his son to learn and be wise. Verse 11 speaks to the son, telling him so. Solomon has learned that it's important for a king to make sure he has good friends and keeps them because family will try to take the throne away. Solomon saw this happen when his brother, Absalom, stirred up a coup against their father, David. Solomon also teaches his son how to keep the kingdom strong in verses 23-27.

Even though we aren't kings, the same wise principles apply to us. Friends are priceless and prudence preserves our resources.

The lynch pin holding all three chapters in Judges, Proverbs, and Hebrews together today is the discipline we read about in Hebrews 12. If we reverence God and persevere with the goal of heaven in mind, if we endure, if we maintain an accurate mental image of our God, we will avoid sin and be wise.

Judges 18, Proverbs 26, Hebrews 11

The people of the tribe of Dan were evil. They not only invaded and destroyed a peaceful, hamless country. They also stole Micah's idols and his priest. His priest wan't exactly loyal, since he followed the most money and influence, but the treachery of the Danites is inescapable. A striking fact is that they remained idolaters down through the years to the Babylonian captivity. When the tabernacle resided at Shiloh, they still refused to turn from their sin.

Humans would have given up  on them. But we know that through seventy years of captivity, the hearts of the people turned back to the Lord. He kept His covenant even when the Danites broke it. God never gives up on us.

The  foolish, lazy, and dishonest will reap what they sow. A wise person stays far away from them.

The contrast between the "heroes of faith" and the Danite tribe, along with fools, the lazy and dishonest, is stark. The chooice is ours to make and the consequences are clear.

I say, with Joshua, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."