(10) - Student Choice #2: Every Man Did That Which Was Right in His Own Eyes

In Judges 17-21, Micah has a house of gods and consecrates his own priests.  The Danites seek inheritance and take Micah's images and priest, burn Laish, and set up idolatry.  A Levite's concubine's husband takes her back, but the men of Gibeah abuse her and she dies.  The Levite husband sends her in 12 pieces to the tribes of Israel.  Israel rises against the Benjamites, who are smitten and destroyed when they refuse to deliver up the men of Gibeah.  People then lament the desolation of Benjamin and the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead are destroyed because they did not war with Benjamin.  Wives are then provided for those who remain of Benjamin.

Judges 21: 25 describes so accurately why this was such a terrible time in Israel's history because there was no one to set rules or laws.  The scripture tells us that there was no king and people did as they saw was right.  People thought they knew better what was right for them than the Lord did.  John 14: 6 tells us that the only way to the Father is through Christ.  We need to do things as He would because He is the truth.  2 Nephi 9: 28-29 says that just because we have learned something or are smart does not mean that we can stop listening to God.  Our wisdom is basically wasted if we don't also listen to God and do what He would have us do.  Isaiah 55: 8-9 says that the Lords ways are higher than our ways.  He knows better and knows what we need.  We need to trust Him and follow Him.