Integrity with the Israelites

At one of my jobs, there was a small intersection with a stoplight right outside the entrance.

That stoplight had a sign that said “no right turn on red”.

I despised that sign so much, because I couldn’t see any purpose for it.

Plus, the light took what seemed like forever to change every time I went to turn right.

I noticed something interesting about myself, though.

Whenever I got to the light and there was another car behind me, I would patiently wait until the light turned green.

But if I got to the light, and there wasn’t a car in sight, I would make the right turn whenever I wanted.

I thought about this pattern one time, and I realized that I only cared about following that traffic rule when someone was watching me that would judge me.

But when I was on my own, I did whatever I wanted!

I had no “integrity” when it came to following that traffic rule.

I only cared about whether or not other people thought I was following the rules.

This reminds me of the Israelites.

They sometimes got a little more righteous because a good judge was with them!

But then…

“And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they returned, and corrupted themselves more than their fathers”. (Judges 2:19)

As soon as the judge was gone, they went back to their wicked ways.

They KNEW what was right the whole time, but they only turned to the Lord when someone was there with them.

Do we only do the right thing when others are watching?

Do we only say our prayers if our spouse will see?

Watch appropriate media if someone is in the room?

Or do we have integrity to keep the same standards, no matter who is there?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black