“Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.”

In Judges 10:11-13, God speaks to the Israelites, “Haven't I delivered you in the past from the armies of the Egyptians, the Amorites, the Ammonites, and the Philistines? Didn't I come through in your struggle against the Sidonians, the Amalekites, and the Maonites? When they swept down on you and over you, didn't I hear your cries for help and rescue you? Yet you have abandoned Me to worship these other gods. That is why I am finished coming to your rescue.”

Judges was a very dark time. It was a time where, “there was no king in Israel, and everyone did what seemed right to them” (Judges 21:25). The people would stray from God and worship idols, have leaders evil leaders rule over them, cry out to God for deliverance, and then God, in His mercy, would raise up a judge to deliver them.

The people would be freed from bondage, turn back to God and the land would have peace during the lifetime of the judges and defenders of Israel. But then the people would stray again from God and serve other gods, need deliverance and God would raise up another judge. 

The judges were not necessarily fully following God themselves but some, like Gideon who pulled down his father's altar to another God and burned it as an offering to God, were able to turn the people in the right direction for a time.

One thing that is clear, left to their own without a judge or a righteous king to guide them, the people of Israel went their own way. It was after 400 years of wondering in a time of silence of God, doing what was right in their own eyes that God raised up the final Judge. He would have the last word. He would liberate His people from bondage and give them peace in their land. This Judge is perfect and able to fully lead the people back to God.

“Matthew 12:18-21, “This is My servant, whom I have well chosen; this is the One I love, the One in whom I delight. I will place My Spirit upon Him; He will proclaim justice to all the world. He will not fight or shout or talk loudly in the streets. He will not crush a reed under His heel or blow out a smoldering candle until He has led justice and righteousness to final victory. All the world will find its hope in His name. “

We do not live in a time of wandering around with no one to follow, doing what is right in our own eyes. We have been given a Judge to deliver us and lead us upon the right way. As we follow Him, we are set on the right path.

Jesus quoted Isaiah 61:1 about Himself, “The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners...”

Biblical judges were not those who sat at a distance and judged everyone else's actions. They were the one who in serving God, brought His justice forth. They led the people out of bondage and into a life of peace.

As we follow our Great Judge, we become more like Him. He also calls us to serve Him wholeheartedly, bringing forth His justice and deliverance for those around us in bondage. We are called to be peacemakers (bringing God's peace in our land) in the places we go.

Proverbs 31:8 says, “Open your mouth for the mute, For the rights of all the unfortunate. Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.”

Proverbs 29:7, “The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.”

Jeremiah 22:16 says, “He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me?" declares the LORD.”

Isaiah 1:17, “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.”

Lord, forgive me where I have failed to stand up or speak up for the truth when it could have brought freedom to those around me. Let us love you with our whole hearts and grow more in Your likeness. Let us be peacemakers in the land You have placed us in and show us how we can serve Your purposes.