Paul writes (2 Cor 8.9); “For you know the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.”

(The references to wealth and poverty must be understood beyond financial wealth and poverty.)

Elsewhere we read that Christ made Himself nothing (Phil 2.7); but the command is that we, His followers, choose the same path; “your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” We are immeasurably grateful that He gave up the glories of Heaven to enter our world, giving His life that we might have life to the full. We also identify with Him, walking “as He walked” (1 John 2.6).

Paul comments; “poor, yet making many rich” (2 Cor 6.10). He describes his own ministry as an apostle of Jesus Christ. He endured discomfort so that those he served might enjoy comfort and encouragement. “So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well” (2 Cor 12.15). Here was the sacrificial commitment of a father for his children.

In his own poverty and comparative wealth (he endured both) Paul declared himself content (Phil 4.10-13). His contentment was in Christ, not a result of his financial well-being.

Paul’s experience cannot be described as a forced self-poverty, nor a form of masochism; but simply a genuine concern for others, putting them and their needs before his own.

We cannot merely admire the attitudes of Christ and of Paul from afar historically. The clear call is that followers of Jesus Christ have a concern for others. “Love one another.” “love your neighbour as yourself.” We give of our material wealth, and we give of ourselves to bless others. The way of the kingdom is that this makes many rich. In the economy of God, gifts are weighed not counted (the widow gave more “than all the others” in Mark 12.43). Giving with a genuine attitude to bless goes much further than the mere financial cost of the gift. And we can be part of the glorious plan of God to make many rich.

“No wonder we become unhappy, when we focus on our personal preferences, opinions, and comforts.” (Source unknown)

The apostle Paul is clear, “Love is not self-seeking” or “love seeketh not its own” (1 Cor 13.5, NIV, KJV). He wrote of Christ; “For even Christ did not please Himself” (Rom 15.3).

In the West, our cultural environment is extremely self-centred’ self-interest, self-enjoyment, self-care, self-loathing. Entertainment and holidays and more are all marketed for personal enjoyment. This environment is pervasive and affects (infects?) our thinking and our praying.

The way of Christ is that we look out for the needs and concerns for others before ourselves. This seems too obvious to be stated, yet we constantly need to be reminded. Often in times of challenge we tend to focus on our own situation.

So says the final verse of the book of Judges. The same words appear in 17.6.

One mistake is to think that those words describe the entire history of the Judges, which was more than 300 years. A careful reading of the book indicates a more nuanced history.

Starting well?

The books of Joshua and Judges seem to overlap. Othniel’s capture of the city of Kiriath Sepher, which earned him the right to marry Caleb’s daughter, appears in Josh 15.16-17 as well as in Judg 1.12-13. Judg 2.6 refers to Joshua sending the people home, which occurred in the final chapter of Joshua.

In fact, Judg 2.7 tells us that the people served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him.

Second hand knowledge

After that (Judg 2.10) another generation grew up, who knew neither the Lord not what He had done for Israel. It might be argued that this is the key verse of the whole book. It marks the start of the spiritual and moral declension of the people of God. As in Heb 2.3, the problem starts not with a people rejecting God, but with a people neglecting God. In a similar way, in Rev 2.4, the Lord criticised the Church at Ephesus because it had lost its first love.

One constant challenge for all who profess to love God is to maintain a healthy and real relationship with Him, not falling into formalism.

Downs & ups

The book of Judges introduces us to twelve Judges (or deliverers). Six are mentioned in passing, while more time is given to the other six (next section). It should also be said that the Judges rule over different tribes of Israel, not over the whole nation. So the book does not provide a ‘linear’ history of Israel at this period.

Further, the book describes six cycles (Judg 2.11-19) of sin, and suffering, and prayer and deliverance. Key to these periods of deliverance was that God raised up judges to save the people. Isaiah tells us ‘The Lord is our Judge’ (Is 33.22). The words judge, deliverer, rescuer, saviour carry a similar meaning. Jesus Christ is truly our judge!

Who were they?

The first three Judges appear in chapters 3 to 5; Othniel, Ehud, and Deborah. Each time, the scripture reads; ‘the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord’ (Judg 3.7, 12; 4.1). And each time the people suffered, for eight years (3.8), for eighteen years (3.14), for twenty years (4.3). Each time, the Lord God raised up deliverers, bringing peace to the land.

The second batch, Gideon, Jephthah and Samson are noted for their courage, standing alone. But they manifest great weaknesses. This is encouraging, as we see that God delights to use the frail.

The lowest point

After the death of Samson (Judg 16), the final chapters tell a sorry story almost devoid of moral compass. The first verses of chapter 17 refer to the theft of money, cursing the thief, moulding of an idol. Then, a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah becomes ‘father and priest’ to Micah’s household, an indication of ‘religion’ reduced to personal choice instead of national or tribal devotion.

The army of Danites arrive to force the Levite to serve them; they defeat the town of Laish, a peaceful and unsuspecting people (Judg 18).

Another roaming Levite from Bethlehem in Judah arrived in Gibeah. His arrival lead to appalling violence and sexual abuse (Judg 19), leading to the death of the priest’s concubine. Eventually (v 29-30), the priest dismembers her, sending her body parts throughout Israel. ‘Think about it! Consider it! Tell us what to do!’

Chapters 20 and 21, closing the book of Judges, tell of the attacks against the tribe of Benjamin; almost wiping out an entire tribe. No wonder the writer concludes; ‘everyone did as he saw fit.’