The period of the judges, revealed in the book by the same name was by and large a time of darkness in Israel. The land was only partially subjugated by the Jews, and there were uprisings and battles throughout the period. One of the primary purposes of any judge was to deliver Israel during times of conflict. A verse in chapter 17 indicates how ignorance and anarchy was often present, “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (17:6).
This verse occurs in the specific context of a man named Micah, who was practicing idolatry. “The man Micah had a shrine, and made an ephod and household idols; and he consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest” (5).
This shows that at that time, the laws of Israel were not being kept. No king was there to enforce the law. Further, as the law was the law of God, men were only doing their will, not God’s.
The same is often true today. Especially regarding obedience to God. Rather than following His will exclusively, too many are doing “what is right in [their] own eyes.” This is not, nor ever has been acceptable. God has revealed His complete will for us, (James 1:25). That will is to submitted to and followed by every man. No exceptions!
