At the beginning a sermon series on JUDGES*, the pastor asked a similar kind of a question to Judges 2:2— but the phrasing burrowed deep: What did you think would happen?**

Pondering a Question ~ The Thinker by Edvard Munch
Whew! Not thinking about the consequences of those simple choices —daily decisions that are like rote — still can take me places not worth going.
I guess that’s why Joel 2:25 brought me up short the first time I heard it. It was a game-changer; still is.
The GOOD NEWS is that the God of my understanding still lets me make choices —even in the limitations of this age and stage. Having a pulse confirms this.
Stipulating then, that God did not die and leave me in charge of much, how am I doing with what is still mine to tend?

Pondering a recurring question
What do I think would happen if I
- just listened instead of working on a rebuttal?
- simply chose to pause — before acting on what I kinda know is a poor choice of time or resources?
- actually did the next thing — albeit a dull, menial, or insignificant task?
What would happen?
It wouldn’t change a whole lot . . . The headlines would remain horrifying — illnesses and broken hearts would still proliferate — and the propensity of mankind to be remain willfully ignorant of God would not diminish.
But maybe Doug would have a better day. I know I will. Jut for today — Little steps take me to better places, anyway.
Another Question:
How goes it with you dear reader?
- Overview of the Book of Judges
**Sermon audio link: Why Have You Done This
Making the “what if I had done this differently” questions to the “conscious I’ll listen more” or I’ll call a grocery store to commend an exceptional employee.
Great post, my friend!
Hello friend — who reminded me of Job 13:5 If only you would be altogether silent!
For you, that would be wisdom.
Bill and I were also struck mightily with this same simple question, and we have been repeating over and over in different situational contexts. In the Judges context, I believe, the question refers more directly to the result of deliberate disobedience and our seeming surprise at negative results – What did you think was going to happen? You are expressing a different application, turning it around and examining the consequences of making positive life decisions (i.e. what happens as a result of obedience).
🙂
Thank you for comments!