“…In Their Own Eyes.”

Judges 17:1-13
The Oxford Annotated Study Bible is helpful in getting a little insight into this interesting passage. It tells us that while the name Micah is short for “who is like the Lord,” this very man (not to be confused with the prophet Micah who will arrive many years later) builds a shrine with an image cast from 200 pieces of silver. The main point of the story seems to come in verse 6 where we are told that “In those days there was no king in Israel; all the people did what was right in their own eyes.” These very words will conclude the book of Judges (25:21) and here indicate the sense of disorder and religious chaos that prevailed. We might be tempted to lay this passage beside any of a dozen stories in today’s newspaper and say to ourselves, “See? It’s just the same. Nothing has changed.” But of course, while the world remains wrapped in chaos as a result of sinfulness, we have a King, or rather a King of kings in Jesus Christ. We have a focal point which replaces all the images and idols of our lives and around whom we may build our lives. And while the sinfulness remains in our daily living, God is at work in Jesus Christ drawing the world to God’s self, and reconciling us to God’s will.

Acts 7:44-8:1a
What a dramatic way for the apostle Paul—still called Saul in this passage—to enter the story! As Stephen is stoned to death a young Saul stands nearby, guarding the coats of the participants and approving of the action. How stark the contrast is between Stephen and Saul at this point! In modern terms I’m reminded of the entry of Darth Vader into the Star Wars series of movies. I can still remember black-clad figure stepping on board a captured vessel. “Leave her to me,” he hisses, and you know there could be nothing good in him. Who would ever expect that Vader would later be reconciled to his son and repent of his evil? Indeed, there is not even a touch of foreshadowing here to indicate what will eventually happen. Nor is there any indication of where Saul is headed in his life. In each case we might be reminded of the words of Judges 17:6: “All the people did what was right in their own eyes.” And yet, as we know, God has other plans for Saul that will unfold in equally dramatic ways. The story always belongs to God.