We can see a phrase runs through in book of Judges , especially in chapter 17. ” In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” ( Judges 17:6). In the book , we find an early type and shadow of how Israel as a nation was without a king. The book of Judges most possibly written by Prophet Samuel according to tradition. The judges are Israel’s leaders before the kings. It is a period of frequent apostasy and divine punishment as the people adopt pagan Canaanite practices and lose sight of their unique identity as God’s people. “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.” The principle gods of the Philistines were Dagon and Baal-Zebul (Baal the Prince; corrupted by the Israelites to Baal-Zebub “Lord of the Files”). People of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals. And they abandoned the Lord, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt. They went after other gods, from among the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed down to them and they provoked the Lord to anger. Because of all their sin , God justly punishes them for their sins. But in love and mercy, God delivered them in response to their cry of repentance. The main theme of the book of Judges is expressed four times in the book:

• In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes. (Judges 17:6)
• In those days there was no king in Israel. (Judges 18:1)
• And it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Israel.(Judges 19:1)
• In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did that which was right in his own eyes. (Judges 21:25)

Disobedience always brings judgment. The Israelites present a great example of what we are not to do. Instead of learning from experience that God will always punish rebellion against Him, they continued to disobey and suffer God’s displeasure and discipline. If we continue in disobedience, we invite God’s discipline, not because He enjoys our suffering, but “because the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes everyone He accepts as a son” (Hebrews 12:6).

The Book of Judges is a testament to God’s faithfulness. Even “if we are faithless, He will remain faithful” (2 Timothy 2:13). Though we may be unfaithful to Him, as the Israelites were, still He is faithful to save us and preserve us (1 Thessalonians 5:24) and to forgive us when we seek forgiveness (1 John 1:9).

“He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ is our Lord is faithful ” ( 1 Corinthians 1:8-9)