The book of Judges follows Israel's faith cycle but ultimately their moral decay and depravity. A verse repeated often is "in those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit." This is even the very last sentence and verse of this book. There are many examples of moral failure and the continuation of not following the commands laid out by Joshua to the Lord's people.

While there are a few high points when various judges inquired of the Lord and served, there is only one mention of the Ark of the Covenant. This happens in chapter 20:27-28, also mentioning Phinehas the Lord's priest (and Aaron's grandson). Even after the many years of not seeking out the Lord, the wonderful thing is God did respond and gave them direction.

God was, and is, open to receiving our prayers of petition and thanksgiving. We must not take for granted that God is waiting for us to open our hearts to him. We must stay grounded in the word and go to God unceasingly for wisdom and to seek his presence.

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