From Good to Evil
 
If you could just bear with me so I can explain a little history to you,I can get to the heart of what good and evil really means.This subject is so essential for us to understand and of course I will explain why it is so important. One of the reasons why I am writing this article is because so many readers are the recipient of some kind of evil taking place in their life right now. God has plenty to say about what we are going through.
 
I would just like to say that after 40 years of peace under Deborah's leadership only a handful of people remained loyal to God. One thing that I have observed in life -there is usually a remnant. The problem was far too many children of Israel turned away from God. As a result they went under the hand of Midian for 7 years.They were now eking out an existence in survival and they had to be innovative in their techniques. The Lord eventually did send them a prophet at the end of the 7 years to remind them about how He delivered Israel from Egypt but they went through a lot before they received that message.If you are on the receiving end of evil the Lord showed me some insights from their experience that may help or strengthen you,and trust me if you are going through something you will need all the wisdom you can get.Just because somebody is going through evil does not mean that they necessarily did something wrong. Look at Joseph in the Old Testament.Job would be another example of a good man that went through evil.As I went through this story in the Old Testament I was amazed at what the Lord showed me.
 
By the time Israel's enemies got through with them they had no homes,no money,and no food. The Bible says "And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord", and it is pretty obvious to me that they started worshiping a false god (Israel's environment was no longer cohesive to faith and worship). The desert tribesmen started raiding their fields.Could that be a coincidence in the timing factor? No because false worship leaves one vulnerable to evil. I want you to think about the evil they had to go through-they hid themselves just to survive. They stole everything-grain,cattle,and sheep.You would think it would be bad enough that the Midianites were oppressing the children of Israel. Then the Amalekites and the children of the East got in on the action. I guess they wanted a piece of the pie too. The Bible says in verse 5 of Judges Chapter 6 that they were like grasshoppers for the purpose of destroying the land.Israel was stalked for 7 years. That's evil. They once had a quality of living with God and their neighbors, than almost overnight war and self -preservation were all they knew. If you know anything about the Old Testament you would have to understand the see-saw pattern that Israel went through.They were faithful to God then they drifted away. I'm the same way. As I look back on my own life that is exactly what happened.
 
We can only worship One God. This is why worshipping God alone is the first commandment. One has a consistent meaning of sovereignty throughout scripture. God is Sovereign. He alone is God.The Bible says in Exodus 20:3"Thou shalt have no other gods before Me."The Bible says in Exodus 20:5..".for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God" ...,so obviously we were created for the very purpose to worship God. In Judges 6:10,I believe at the end of the seven years God gently reminds them"but ye have not obeyed my voice." The first commandment implies that we have to worship somebody or something. That is why worshipping God is the first commandment because this is the way we were created.
 
Many people ask the question -were there parameters on what Israel's enemy could do to them? The answer is yes there was. Since this particular suffering was limited to 7 years it tells me that God was monitoring this trial all along . No matter how difficult the trial, God is still in perfect control. Who knows God may have allowed extra pressure to be put on them at the end of the 7 years so they would have no other recourse but to cry out to God.The Story indicates or implies that they waited 7 years before they seriously called out to God. I believe this -God has no other choice but to put his children through a serious trial because He desires us to move from point A to point B.We would probably never move on our own. The real question is do we realize this when a serious suffering hits our life? God is trying to move us to another place for His Glory.It is interesting to me that God did not answer the children of Israel until after they cried out to Him. Where was God all this time? I believe He was right there with them. He did not pack up and leave. Just because we might be going through some sort of self preservation does not mean God is not there with us. He knows exactly what is going on. In fact I would even venture to say we don't even see our lives.Only God sees our life from beginning to end all the way through eternity. In this case the Lord left them with nothing so they would cry out to Him,but here is a point that I always want you to remember. God does not just understand He cares. Verse 9 is proof that His Heart was for the children of Israel. Not only does God understand,care,but in verse 10 He actually says "I do not want you to fear the Amaleties."Take comfort in this because God is going to work with us every step of the way." He can see through the symptom and look straight into the root. Seemingly we were left alone in a serious trial but not really.I believe to understand this we have to see evil for what it is.
 
I think the average person would be shocked at how far evil can go. If you are the recipient more than likely it will find you.What I mean by that is evil can be very relentless.I find it kind of strange that it was not just the hand of Midian that persecuted the children of Israel but other factors came in also. There is no hint in this story that they attacked each other. They all unified and attacked the children of Israel. After a while the children of Israel did not really have a whole lot so this went way beyond greed. I am sure the children of Israel felt the evil being pressed on them just like we can feel evil if our Spirit understands it. We fear but remember Jesus said "let not your heart be troubled." John 14:1. Unfortunately there is something about human nature that wants to take advantage of the other person. Perhaps even make them suffer or try and control their weakness. Sometimes it turns into a sport. The Bible says in 1 Peter"the devil walks around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour." He is looking for weakness.Unfortunately we are all weak in one way or another. Just another observation,this account starts in Judges Chapter 6 (six is the number of man trying to exist without God). When this happens mankind becomes weakened. The children of Israel were under premeditated evil. If somebody is playing with your heart pray that God will strengthen it through His Word.The Holy Spirit illuminates His strength in our heart. This is what He desires to do.
 
Any student of End Time Bible Prophecy would have to realize that this story relates to the future seven year tribulation period and Israel going through it. The similarities are uncanny. In the story they cried out to God at the end of the seven years which to me relates to Jesus Christ Himself rescuing Israel at the climax of the battle of Armageddon. In the story of judges Chapter 6 there is no indication that Israel's enemy would have stopped and that is the way it is going to be in the future 7 year tribulation.They will not stop and Jesus Christ Himself will intervene. The Bible says He will.Jeremiah 30:7 refers to this period as Jacob's trouble.Jacob's name was changed to Israel. I don't believe this time period is to far off. In the story during this time of preservation and survival the children of Israel were not wiped out and killed; however they lasted through the 7 years of suffering. This is not to say they all survived. God will preserve His choice remnant because in Revelation 19 Jesus Christ is pictured as Israel's rescuer which is at the end of the seven year tribulation.In the story God used a man by the  name of Gideon to rescue Israel and their enemy was confused and bewildered in battle. In Revelation 19 the enemy of Israel becomes so confused that they literally attempt to attack Jesus Christ Himself.In the story they are unrepentant for seven years and their spiritual eyes are then opened.
 
In Zechariahs 13:6 after the battle of Armageddon the Jewish people actually see the nailed scars in Jesus Christ's hands.The verse says "And one shall say unto Him,what are these wounds in thine hands? Then He shall answer, those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends."Their spiritual eyes are now opened by the Messiah Himself. Once again in Judges six all of the factions came against Israel and that is the way it will be in the battle of Armageddon. I think it is interesting that in Judges the factions seemingly got along for the purpose of attacking Israel. That is the way it will be in the Battle of Armageddon. The nations that come against Israel will throw away their petty differences and charge against Israel. In Judges they cried out to God at the end of seven years and that is precisely what Israel will be doing at the climax of the battle of Armageddon at the end of the seven year tribulation.The similarities are amazing!
 
How does God operate in a trial? Just sticking with the text God did not respond until after they cried out to Him. Why did they wait so long? As I look at my own life I also waited until the last minute in many instances. That is the way human nature is. We put off today what we can do tomorrow but that day (tomorrow) may not come. Don't follow Israel's pattern or even mine. It would be wise to repent and get right with Jesus Christ today or perhaps get left behind at the rapture. Jesus Christ does not want to leave anybody behind but He will if they have not accepted Him into their hearts. In the account of Judges chapter 6 God gently reminds the children of Israel that they did not obey His voice.As His Children He gently reminds us by whispering in our ear.What I tell you in darkness,that speak ye in light :and what you hear in the ear,that preach ye upon the housetops.Matthew 10:27. If you were to speak in somebody's ear you would not shout but whisper.God is whispering to us.The question is are we listening? I think it is interesting that in the account of Judges 6 God did not give them some lecture on listening and obedience.He allowed them to go through harsh circumstances and when they cried out to Him He was there for them gently reminding the children of Israel to listen to His voice.
 
Let me just close by saying that a strong relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ is essential. The children of Israel were so exasperated that they had to cry out to God.When we start to seek God out that is when He revels His glory to us. Maybe you have reached that point. Why not do the same thing that the Israelites did-pray and cry out to God.One thing I found out about God. He is always willing to listen because He understands our problems perfectly.Look at how He rescued Israel.He sees our life the same way.He cares and He is willing to take some kind of action regarding the evil that fell upon our life. Of course it will be in His way and time but make no mistake about this,God is actively involved in our lives.Will we trust Him today and tomorrow for unresolved evil in our life?That is the question.
 
Bob D.