What in the World
Scripture Reading: Judges 16-18; Luke 16; Psalm 97
When you read through a book like Judges, you can’t help but scratch your head.
What in the world is going on here?
These are the people of God—chosen, rescued, and called to be holy. And yet we find them trapped in a downward spiral of idolatry, immorality, and outright wickedness. The kind of stuff you’d expect in the surrounding pagan nations, not in God’s covenant community.
So what’s the point? Why does God include all this mess in His Word?
1. God Doesn’t Hide the Truth
The Bible tells the story of God’s people with all the warts showing. We know about David’s failure. Solomon’s fall. Samson’s recklessness. And the people of Israel—again and again—doing what was right in their own eyes.
God isn’t interested in cover-ups. He’s committed to the truth, even when it’s ugly.
2. Sin Runs Deep
These stories aren’t meant to excuse our own sin, but to expose how deeply sin is embedded in human nature. Even the most gifted, even the most devoted, even the most determined fail.
The problem isn’t just out there in the world. It’s in us.
3. Despair Isn’t the Goal—Dependence Is
This doesn’t mean we give up. It means we give in—to grace.
Judges isn’t just a record of failure. It’s a spotlight on our need. We can’t fix ourselves. We can’t save ourselves. We can’t live holy lives on our own.
But there is One who can.
And that’s the whole point.
We Need Jesus
If you ever need a reminder of why we need a Savior, just read Judges. It’s not just a story of failure. It’s a call to the Cross.
There, we find mercy for our failures, power for new life, and hope that doesn't depend on our strength—but His.
