The book of Judges chronicles a time in Israel’s history where “there was no king.” As a result, in chapter after chapter, we then read about how there was no overarching, societal sense of grounding or cohesiveness. There was just no sense of order. It was a chaotic mess. Therefore, people unwisely just did whatever seemed right to them.
In chapter 17, right after talking about a time when an idol maker named Micah from the hill country of Ephriam had decided on his own to appoint his son to be his priest, we get this verse…
Judges 17:6 (CSB) – In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did whatever seemed right to him.
The book of Judges then continues to tell of more stories of Israel’s confusing infancy, and then, after giving the account of how the tribe of Benjamin was almost lost, it concludes by repeating this same verse again…
Judges 21:25 (CSB) – In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did whatever seemed right to him.
Where Wisdom Can Be Found
As humans, we need guidance. Without it, we are then left to our own devices, thinking that our way is the right way. The book of Proverbs labels a person who thinks that their way is the right way differently from how it portrays a person who listens to council…
Proverbs 12:15 (CSB) – A fool’s way is right in his own eyes, but whoever listens to counsel is wise.
How can we avoid being a fool, and instead become wise?
We find the answer in the book of Job…
Job 28:12-28 (CSB)
But where can wisdom be found,
and where is understanding located?
No one can know its value,
since it cannot be found in the land of the living.
The ocean depths say, “It’s not in me,”
while the sea declares, “I don’t have it.”
Gold cannot be exchanged for it,
and silver cannot be weighed out for its price.
Wisdom cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir,
in precious onyx or lapis lazuli.
Gold and glass do not compare with it,
and articles of fine gold cannot be exchanged for it.
Coral and quartz are not worth mentioning.
The price of wisdom is beyond pearls.
Topaz from Cush cannot compare with it,
and it cannot be valued in pure gold.
Where then does wisdom come from,
and where is understanding located?
It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing
and concealed from the birds of the sky.
Abaddon and Death say,
“We have heard news of it with our ears.”
But God understands the way to wisdom,
and he knows its location.
For he looks to the ends of the earth
and sees everything under the heavens.
When God fixed the weight of the wind
and distributed the water by measure,
when he established a limit for the rain
and a path for the lightning,
he considered wisdom and evaluated it;
he established it and examined it.
He said to mankind,
“The fear of the LORD—that is wisdom.
And to turn from evil is understanding.”
Godspeed, to the brethren!
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