The Prescription for Anarchy
In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes. Judges 21:25 NASB
In his own eyes – “Do the right thing!” That’s our usual ethical position. But the problem is obvious. What is the right thing? We often decry Israel’s decision to demand a king. We see that Israel opted for a system of government from the pagan world. But perhaps we are too critical too soon. If you lived in a land where everyone did what was right in his own eyes, you might cry out to a king too. The truth is that unfettered ethical self-determination is anarchy. With but a moment’s reflection, we can imagine a world where each person does whatever he or she thinks is right. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to live in that kind of world (although it seems that every day we are getting closer and closer to it). A world where individualism reigns supreme is a world without hope. It is the nightmare of history that Heschel so often mentions. A world where any man can do anything isn’t utopia. It is hell on earth. It is tragic hopelessness.
“The Hebrew Bible could be turned into Greek tragedy without changing a single word,” writes Jonathan Sacks. “All it would take would be to end its first book, not after Genesis 50, but after Exodus 1 . . . Hope and tragedy do not differ about facts but about interpretation and expectation. But they make a moral difference. Those who hope, strive. Those who are disillusioned, accept.”[1]
Two crucial lessons may be learned from Israel’s experience under the judges (chieftains). The first is that society depends on order and order is never a function of unrestrained individual freedom. Our penchant for personal liberty collapses into chaos when we project complete self-determination to the masses. For anyone other than Robinson Crusoe, social life requires ethical rules. Insisting that personal freedom is the sine qua non of life on earth is naïve and dangerous.
The second lesson is that biblical ethical behavior demands resistance. Accepting chaos in any form is ungodly. Resigning ourselves to poverty, abuse, calamity, pain or death, even if it appears to come from the hand of God, is sin. We are expected to strive for righteousness and righteousness entails justice. The Father’s will must prevail and sometimes that means fighting with the stranger who appears in the middle of the night at the brook Jabbok. Hope requires struggle. Perhaps that’s why we seem to have so much to contend with.
The Bible is not about my personal freedom. It is about fighting for the right thing even if that means relinquishing my freedom. Ah, so what then is the right thing to do? “And God said” is the key to all ethical behavior. The word must come from outside the box because in my own eyes is always a trap of despair.
Topical Index: in his own eyes, Judges 21:25, anarchy, ethical, hope, tragedy
[1] Jonathan Sacks, To Heal a Fractured World, p. 166.
PRAYER REQUEST: Since my fall from the attic just before coming to South Africa, I have been in pain nearly all the time. It is particularly hard in the mornings. I have more travel to finish and more teaching to do. Would you just say a prayer for me to help deal with this pain. The doctor tells me it will be 6 weeks for the healing to occur. Thank you.
I’ve prayed for tour healing.
(Correction) That should be YOUR healing.
I’ll gladly pray for your pain, but I want to share something I did for two recent physical issues that helped effect healing. I prefer to think of this as biblical, but some will perceive this as uber-charismatic. Since I learned that the deeper meaning of the word shalom is to make whole and complete I began speaking this over my forefinger which because of repetitive use on a trackpad became inflamed and literally red within. So aside from icing it (the standard RICE method) I also throughout the day began lightly touching it and just whispering shalom repeatedly and gently throughout the day, telling it to be whole and restored. Over the next couple of days, I watched it diminish and the pain, which was throbbing, and for which Advil did nothing, leave.
I tried this previously on another health “challenge” I had, and the same thing happened. Within a few days, it healed more quickly and was gone.
HTH
Peter Alexander, I read what you wrote and have no disagreement; whenever people use the Words or thoughts given in the Bible, and use them in reverence and true respect, I believe the Lord always honors them; perhaps not immediately, but sooner or later, even if it is into death.
I have been walking in a path that began as a child in a true Biblical manner with both Old and New Testaments. Forty five years ago, my husband and I both of the same Christian backgrounds so to speak, and were in small universities of the same Southern Baptist Faith, began to listen and hear all the people coming around the world and to Houston area teaching and preaching starting for us in the 1970’s. Some of the teaching veered into the fringes of the Charismatic movement. There were many true healings of all sorts that we knew really happened, one was for each of us in separate areas. One was so thorough for almost 40 years, I walked without even a cold, or allergies, which I had suffered with greatly up until that time. Our lives were turned upside down in most areas! We were reluctant in some of the teachings of the Charismatics. and were very careful to check everything with the Scriptures, often in several versions. We were not Biblical illiterate.
As history shows almost great renewals, or revivals, or Christian movements have had there excesses, and the Charismatic breakthroughs for many sincere people of the Lord, turned into paths that were not from the Lord. People that were just as in the NT, interested just because of possibility of making fast dollars, rich lives, and all kinds of evil things.
But the good news is that we stayed away from the worship areas, but kept up with what is going on the by Charisma Magazine. Now forty years later even that magazine, has helped turn the wrongs of the movements to right, and has helped move the movement to where the Lord would be pleased. Their subscription count is unbelievable, ( could not find the # quickly). But the founder and two other editors are seemingly walk the walk of the Word. They do have lots of advertisements, and state in small print. they are not totally guaranteed as is, or something to that effect.
My very long point is that all of us should be so careful not to use expressions that could keep others from doing what appears in scripture as they see it. God apparently worked in your body. Using the words “uber charismatic” would not be uplifting to those that understand it. Actually it means superman and came from a German philosopher, named Nietzache from 1844-1900.
God can change institutions, groups of believers, and He is able to work mightily in ways to all that come to Him, seeking His Face in sincerity. Where would we be without that great love that God has shown each us? Yes, through Jesus the son, and made available to us through the power of the Holy Spirit. I do not want to even think of such for this old lady of 81 years. May God’s love flow through each of us, and give healing to all who call on His Wonderful Names! LaVaye Billings
Hello, LaVaye – I’m a professional writer and I chose uber intentionally based on contemporary usage in our language today, which is to imply very very, like uber-cool, uber-hot, and so on. I also did this because many are cessationists and I simply wanted to prep them for what I was about to say. Freddy boy wasn’t in my consideration whatsoever. Thank you.
Peter Alexander
Peter A. thank you for your interesting reply; my 1933 Webster’s unabridged Dictionary that I dearly love, isn’t up-to-date in word meanings, and I do not read or hear many contemporary word usage. So that was good for me to be reminded again of all the changes in the lives of today’s generation.
My own dear earthly father lived to be 99 years & 8 months. And was in his right mind until the minute that God called his name, while he was waiting to be served a meal. I helped care for him the last six years of his life, and wrote a list with his help of all the new things in his world when he was born, 1901-2000. We all took pride in so many changes, and I can remember with arrogance that I thought- well I will never see so many changes in my life span! But, “pride goes before a fall”, I am only 81 and I want to learn my lessons on pride, and not fall again! The changes we are seeing may be many more than my father saw.
I certainly understand the word cessationists,we have dealt with them for over 40 years! Now, even one major group of them have recorded along with several medical teams that there was no misdiagnosis, in the healing of one of their deacons. If anyone wants to know the article, write on here, and I will look it up. I must go to work now downsizing a very large old 1929 home. I wanted to thank Peter, before I shift into doing real labor, and forget his writing. Sincerely, LaVaye Billings
I have only recently began reading your website. I really needed today’s post. I am recently divorced and am dealing with the issues and emotions that accompany such a change. I especially moved by your prayer request as it is a reminder of what God tells me. You are in physical pain and the doctor says the healing will take 6 weeks to occur. You continue with your travels despite the discomfort while you pray for strength. God spoke to me again, through your requests this time. I am to continue with the work he has for me, even though I carry emotional pain and am ferociously attacked by Satan. I remember that healing is a process and that He has given me strength. I am praying for you.
Praying for you! Shalom Shalom!
Kneel at the cross.
Speaking of anarchy. Continual pain can cause you to want to rebel in just about any situation. I empathize with you Skip. I’ve had bursitis/cellulitus for the past month and a half in my right forearm. VERY painful. No matter which way you turn, reach or move, it hurts. Trying to renovate a house with it is very trying.
Please know I am praying for you in your dealing with your pain at this time. You are an encouragement to me and I’m sure to others in that you have and are pushing through your personal pain to bring good news to those who are also in various levels of pain as they seek truth. Shalom.
May He Who blessed our ancestors, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah, bless and heal Skip. May the Holy One in mercy strengthen him and heal him soon, body and soul, together with others who suffer. And let us say: Amen.
AMEN
I am praying for you.
Likewise, Skip, I am praying for you, not only for healing, but that the pain (in the interim) will help you to focus even more on your tasks ahead instead of distracting you from them.
Skip, if it were possible, I would have God transfer your pain to me and you could be set free to GO and CONCENTRATE and LOVE and BE LOVED by the beautiful people in Africa…and wherever else you plan to be. I live in systemic, significant, usually severe pain 24/7. Taking yours on wouldn’t make much difference in my already disabled life… but, on the other hand, suffering WILL draw you closer to the LORD God Almighty. Get close enough to touch Messiah’s tzitzit! Praise Him for this suffering. It’s an excellent way for Him to get (and keep, as John Adam just mentioned) your attention!
I LOVED this TW. In this world of chaos and the happy bunny’s philosophy of “all about me,” this post is a very reassuring comfort that GOD WILL REIGN and I am pumped for that! Revelation 21:4
Praying for you. On a purely practical note: Aleve (naproxen) is a very good anti-inflammatory for muscle/bone/joint aches, but it takes a few days of use to really feel the benefit. People tend to overlook it’s value because it’s not a fast pain reliever.
Trusting all our prayers are powerful and effective.
A prayer from Peter Marshall, once the Chaplain of the US Senate, wrote this prayer that came from a friend just after I read Skip’s request. And there are so many more precious people hurting with pains of all types, that as I read the prayer of Dr. Marshall, it was such a reminder to me in that in all of our activites/there are limitations; and we are the ones to choose our activities carefully with patience. I know I must be reminded of this so often. Our society so adores to do, to be. ” Thus teach us, oh Lord, the disciplines of patience, for to wait is often harder than to work.”
“Heavenly Father, greatly bless every person with a “pain”, teach us to look to you, seek your face, and wait patiently upon you. Fill the cups of every patient needy person looking unto you oh Lord! Let us all remember your words, ” Seek first the kingdom of God and your righteous ( in right standing with you). We lift all our meditations and needs before you, ask for your favor and blessings! So Be It.
Skip needs a miracle Father. Please heal him and remove this pain. Amen
Hi Skip
I just finished praying for you. Praying for your complete healing and the strength from Abba to endure and finish the mission that he has you doing. You have been a Blessing to me and I know that Abba is using you to be a Blessing to others. Press on and press thru.
Chiropractor may help.
My daughter is a good one.
Get help where you can.
Donna R. covered it: Praying for you! Shalom Shalom! Hope to see you when you come to VA Beach, hope you are all healed up!
Skip, I’m “dropping by” to let you know I have been praying as well. I hope by now, you are feeling noticeable improvement or complete healing!
Thanks so much for all your efforts. May Yah bless you abundantly. Shalom!
Yesterday I felt a noticeable drop in pain. Still sore and hard to twist from side to side, but I stopped taking pain pills. Thanks.