Judges 17:6 In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
The passage above refers to a time in the history of Israel when persons resorted to using their personal judgement to make determinations, as to what was right or wrong, good or evil and to draw conclusions as to what was truth or error.
At that time, each person had their own set of rules and, personal preferences, and biases were used to determine what was acceptable and what was not. In the context of our first passage, we read of a man who had stolen money from his mother, and when he disclosed the evil deed to her she pronounced on him a blessing. Let’s read:
Judges 17:2 And he said unto his mother the eleven hundred shekels of silver that were taken from thee, about which you cursed, and spoke of also in mine ears, behold, the silver is with me; I took it. And his mother said, Blessed be thou of the Lord, my son.
Even though parents and individuals are to show to their children mercy, sin has to be called by its right name lest persons grow up with a severely distorted moral compass that is bereft of the ability to discern between sin and righteousness. In fact, the very first step in the processes of forgiveness is an admittance that something wrong has been committed.
What the man’s mother did next, in this episode is just as appalling, for she used the returned funds to do what she thought was right in her sight, because she paid for the construction of a graven image by a smelter, who specialized in this particular trade, and then stored the graven image in the house of Micah, who was a collector or curator of such productions. Let’s read:
Judges 17:4 Yet he restored the money unto his mother; and his mother took two hundred shekels of silver, and gave them to the founder, who made thereof a graven image and a molten image: and they were in the house of Micah.
This action taken by the man’s mother was in direct contravention of the law of God, for it clearly states that graven images should never be worshipped, or even made. In fact, the very first injunction given in the law is against having them in one’s possession and then against making them.
But, because the spirit of relativism had pervaded or invaded the land and because right and wrong were in a constant state of flux, his mother did what she thought was right, even though her actions directly opposed God’s moral law. Let’s read:
Exodus 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
Thus, when there is no absolute truth, then morality becomes relative, meaning, that the standards of right and wrong would differ from person to person, from state to state, and from nation to nation, thus setting the stage for a cataclysmic moral collapse of society as a whole.
Hence the reason why persons can get abortions in some states while in other states one can get life in prison for doing so. That’s why there is now gender-affirming care in some states, while it is banned in others.
That is why in some places, prostitution is permitted while it is strictly prohibited in others. That is why studies, philosophies and instructions on gender are added to the curriculum in some states, and taught to students at a very young age, even as their minds are still tender and pliable, while in other states it is strictly banned.
That's why in some states students in schools could opt to be called by pronouns such as they, them or it, while in other states, the students would have to be referred to by their original, biological gender.
What is taking place is that satan is actively tearing society apart through relativism, and fluid morality, hence the reason why his work inevitably results in extreme left or extreme right positions. These deep divides will not continue peacefully for much longer, hence the reason why talk of secession is now being floated by some in congress.
It all has to do with, and it stems from relativism, by which God’s universal standards of right and wrong, given to us in His moral law, are abandoned in favor of a fluid form of morality, that caters to the clamors of the natural man, and thus, inevitably prefers the contemporary and the popular above the just and the right.
Even though God has granted to all the freedom of choice, we are never at liberty to set our personal parameters to determine what is good or evil, and furthermore God has issued a stern warning to us mortals, not to make the fatal mistake of tampering with His Holy Word, because this cannot be done with impunity.
The urge to tamper, interfere, modify, misinterpret, or remove any portion of scripture that might not fit our current social norms, must be resisted, on pain of the severest consequences to those who insist or persist in doing so.
The word of God is a sharp two-edged sword and at times it might come across as being defensive, or at other times offensive, because it is designed to cut both ways, to wound and to heal, to breakdown and build up, but whatsoever it does, persons must let it alone, so that it can do its intended work. Let’s read:
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
Isaiah 55:10 For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and returns not thither, but waters the earth, and makes it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater;
11 So shall my word be which goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Revelation 22: 18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book.
19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Persons are left free to choose good or evil with the accompanying consequences, but to remove, or to interfere with the measuring mechanism God has set in place, is to destroy society’s moral compass, and when this is done, our keen sense of right and wrong is demolished and the inevitable result is that each person would do that which is right in his/her sight.
In today’s vernacular it is referred to as relativism by which right and wrong becomes fluid, depending on popular majority opinions, and political, ideological, and philosophical pressures, imposed or adopted to suit the preferences and fancies of all persons, from the straight to the crooked, and from the normal to the queer.
A cursory look and an analysis of the concept would make it manifest that it’s a doctrine of devils cooked up and stewed in the depths of hell, in the cauldron of erroneous modes of thought, and disseminated by minds that are averse to God and righteousness.
But God would have us understand, that whenever right and wrong becomes fluid, society as a whole will also become fluid with morality, and standards of right and wrong being constantly modified to suit personal preferences. Relativism is what is plaguing society and what we are seeing now is just the tip of the iceberg.
For instance, since the genie of gender issues was let out of the bottle the concept of letting a person’s feelings dictate what one believes he is, she is, or it is has taken on a life of its own. That’s why a certain man has recently sued to change his age since, as he believes, he “Feels” a lot younger.
His argument was that if persons can change their gender designations on a whim, because they feel to, then his feelings should be no different and must also be given the same accommodations because of how he feels. Therefore, the following definition will encapsulate what relativism is.
Relativism meaning: The doctrine that knowledge, truth, and morality exist in relation to culture, society, or historical context, and are not absolute.
Conversely, absolute morality is when universal standards of right or wrong apply to all people at all times irrespective of their culture or beliefs. Relative morality is based on the theory that truth and right are different for different people or cultures.
But God makes it clear in His word, that as far as His moral law is concerned, it is absolutely absolute. For instance, adultery is wrong across the globe, period. It is wrong in the Middle East, it is wrong in Africa, it is wrong in the United States and it is wrong in such cultures where multiple wives could legally be taken by any one man.
When Abraham succumbed to logical reasoning and cultural norms, by taking Hagar to wife, he violated the absolute moral law and he was reprimanded for his actions by The One Who is no respecter of any person, even if such persons are His own people. Let’s read:
Genesis 16:16 And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram.
Genesis 17:1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
Absolute truth transcends culture, and social norms, it stands aloof of popular majority opinions, and in certain instances it can call on supreme courts, and legislative bodies to repent. Absolute truth is never afraid of what society may think of it, and therefore it cannot, and will not be tethered to what is trendy, fashionable or contemporary.
The teaching and philosophies embraced by many in Christian circles must now be made manifest. There is a teaching which says that God’s law given on Mt. Sinai was for the Jews only, and therefore, it doesn’t apply to Christians in the modern era.
Even though this misunderstanding is now generally accepted in Christendom and even though passages of scripture may be given in its support, it is actually relativism clothed in sacerdotal garments because it embraces the same concept of moral fluidity, where there’s one standard for some people, and different standards for others.
The Sabbath of the fourth commandment is never to be understood as something that is cultural, only pertaining to those of Abrahamic descent according to the flesh. Adam was not a Jew, neither was Abel, Methuselah or even Noah, and therefore, when God declared that Noah was righteous, He was declaring that His standard of righteousness pertains to every person regardless of creed, race or cultural heritage.
Again, God demonstrated that His sacred law is the universal standard of righteousness for all men even those who might not have previously, or consciously given themselves to God. When a certain king took Sarah ignorantly, God visited him with a disturbing warning of impending doom if he did not change his course immediately.
That’s because, according to God’s absolute moral law, adultery is a universal wrong, whether it be in Abraham, or in any other king for that matter. What is worthy of consideration in this episode is that the king in question had done this wrong ignorantly, by following the customs and culture of the day.
But contemporary culture does not make a wrong right, as the king in question was soon to discover. Let’s read:
Genesis 20:1 And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar.
2 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah.
3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife.
4 But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation?
5 Said he not unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this.
6 And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore, suffered I thee not to touch her.
7 Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.
8 Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears: and the men were sore afraid.
The same concept of relativism was made to prevail in the days of Jeroboam when on account of his fear that the ten tribes would revert back to his rival, he instituted a form of worship that wasn’t ordained by God. In doing so, he led the northern kingdom into deep apostasy, because relativism always leads to idolatry. Always! Let’s read:
1st Kings 12:26 And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David;
27 If this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again unto their lord, even unto Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me, and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah.
28 Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
29 And he set the one in Bethel, and the other put he in Dan.
30 And this thing became a sin: for the people went to worship before the one, even unto Dan.
31 And he made an house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi.
32 And Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like unto the feast that is in Judah, and he offered upon the altar. So did he in Bethel, sacrificing unto the calves that he had made: and he placed in Bethel the priests of the high places which he had made.
33 So he offered upon the altar which he had made in Bethel the fifteenth day of the eighth month, even in the month which he had devised of his own heart; and ordained a feast unto the children of Israel: and he offered upon the altar, and burnt incense.
Three substitutions, introduced by Jeroboam should jump out at us, for the same three are replicated in our day, in support of forms of worship that are not in harmony with absolute truth.
[1] Jeroboam introduced two substitute objects of worship, thus violating the absolute truth found in the first commandment. In other words, Jeroboam made the two golden calves to take the place of The Lord God, something that should never be done. Let’s read:
1st Kings 12:28 Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
30 And this thing became a sin: for the people went to worship before the one, even unto Dan.
Exodus 20: 3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them.
[2] Jeroboam also introduced substitute priests to serve in place of the Levites who were ordained by God for the work of the sanctuary. Thus, relativism drove him to do what was right in his own eyes. Let’s read:
1st Kings 12: 31 And he made a house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi.
Numbers 1: 50 But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that belong to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle.
[3] Jeroboam also introduced a substitute day of worship, to compete with the one ordained by God, which the southern kingdom embraced in harmony with God’s instructions. Let’s read:
1st Kings 12:32 And Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like unto the feast that is in Judah, (The feast in Judah was held one month earlier) and he offered upon the altar.….
33 So he offered upon the altar which he had made in Bethel the fifteenth day of the eighth month, even in the month which he had devised of his own heart; and ordained a feast unto the children of Israel: and he offered upon the altar, and burnt incense.
Believe it or not, the doctrine of relativism has now driven some to introduce replicas of what Jeroboam did, for we are now saddled with substitute objects of worship, substitute priests, and a substitute day of rest.
In order for folks to escape the snare of relativism in our day we would have to cling to the unadulterated word of God, untrammeled by the contemporary, the trendy, the philosophical, the traditional and the socially acceptable.
When searching for truth on any of the hot button issues, from genderism, relativism, popularism, and any other type or ism or schism, let the word of God do its intended work. If it has to cut, let it cut, if it has to heal let it heal, if it has to rebuke let it rebuke and if it has to exhort, let it exhort.
But never should we allow cultural norms to upend what God has given us for the stability and the well-being of society, for if we go fluid, we will get fluid. Let’s read:
[The Great Controversy pp 592] God will have a people upon the earth to maintain the Bible, and the Bible only, as the standard of all doctrines, and the basis of all reforms.
The opinions of learned men, the deductions of science, the creeds or decisions of ecclesiastical councils, as numerous and discordant as are the churches which they represent, the voice of the majority,—not one or all of these should be regarded as evidence for or against any point of religious faith.
Before accepting any doctrine or precept, we should demand a plain “Thus saith the Lord” in its support. Satan is constantly endeavoring to attract attention to man in the place of God.
He leads the people to look to bishops, to pastors, to professors of theology, as their guides, instead of searching the Scriptures to learn their duty for themselves. Then, by controlling the minds of these leaders, he can influence the multitudes according to his will.
Let us therefore be tethered to the absolute truths of God’s word, instead of to relativism, for building upon The Rock Christ Jesus doesn’t only involve believing in The Person of Christ, it also includes believing in every word coming from Christ.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture that’ll help and encourage us to stay the course with God’s word, and if we do, by His grace, we will be enabled to navigate the multitude of mine fields set up by relativism and its offshoots. Let’s read:
2nd Peter 1: 19 We have also a more, sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
God Bless!