Judges 2:18

"Handfuls of Purpose"

For All Gleaners

"And when the Lord raised them up judges, then the Lord was with the judge" Judges 2:18 .

A picture of society when divinely constructed. The economy of mediation is here, as everywhere, observed. The great principle of election is here also affirmed. The judges were raised up by the Lord. Men did not make themselves judges, nor did the people arbitrarily appoint and dismiss the judges. The appointment was divine. So it ought to be considered in all magistracy, judgeship, and government. Society is a piece of mosaic wrought out by the loving hands of God. God will only speak through the judges whom he himself has created and appointed. The judge should recognise this himself, and be modest and self-restrained in proportion. The true leader is always himself a follower of the divine guidance. Elevation to office does not mean release from responsibility, but rather a responsibility that is enlarged and sanctified. In times of national crisis men should pray that God would send the right leaders into the land, and clothe those leaders with appropriate influence. It is in vain to have an orthodox Church and an atheistic State that is to say, that the Church may be guided by God, but that the State may attempt to govern itself. The Church should continually pray for the State, and thus acknowledge that God is the God of nations as well as the God of churches. It is marvellous to observe how throughout the whole Scripture, all great appointments are acknowledged to be in the hands of God. The children of Israel cried unto the Lord, and Moses was sent; again they cried, and judges were raised up; and so throughout the whole historical line, until Jesus Christ says, "Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest." This is a lesson quite as much to those who suppose themselves to be appointed to high authority, as for the peoples whom they rule or attempt to direct. The true judge, minister, leader, statesman, will recognise that he is divinely appointed, and therefore accountable to God. This will give moderation to his counsels, and invest all his thoughts and purposes with supreme solemnity, and will subdue the pomp of office by the consciousness of personal obligation to God.