The Wild West

What iconic images do you have of the Old American West? Do you picture John Wayne in his red plaid shirt atop his steed with the New Mexico landscape behind him, or Clint Eastwood chewing on his half eaten cigar ready to draw in the dusty streets of a western town? Maybe it is the image of the settlers traveling along the Oregon Trail, the building of the Transcontinental Railroad, miners in Colorado and California, cowboys on the open range, or skirmishes with Native Americans. This period of American history from 1820 – 1900, and westward expansion has been the American adventure glamorized in dime novels (Wild Bill Hickok), radio dramas (The Lone Ranger), TV series (The Wild Wild West, Little House on the Prairie), movies (insert your favorite), as well as art, history, musicals, theater, dance and of course the foundation for country music. However, as we know that underneath the romantic ideal of the Old American West, it was often a difficult, lawless, and unforgiving life.

As I study the book of Judges, I can’t help but draw comparisons of the Old American West to this period of Israelite expansion in the Promised Land. The Israelites had just won a mighty victory at Jericho and established a base camp in Canaan, and now it was time for the 12 Tribes to inhabit the land as God had commanded. However with the death of Joshua, it left the Israelites without a central, unifying leader and shortly thereafter they became a collection of weak tribes that did not fulfill the conquest of their specific areas. It was a period of vulnerability, lawlessness, war, disobedience to God and attacks by border nations. It was the Wild West of the Promised Land. The statement:

In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” – Joshua 21:25

…summarizes the disorganization, turmoil, and lawlessness that took place in this time. God, however, in His provision called individuals who led the Israelites to military victory and renewal in worship as a people. They were called Judges, the lawmen (and lawwoman) of the Wild West in the Promised Land.

As I read through the events and colorful people found in Judges, I am mindful that this period of Israelite history has some important spiritual treasures for us to discover. A revelation of God’s character, plan and purpose, as well as, truths we can apply to our 21st Century lives. Read Judges…Saddle up and let’s head out west.