In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. This repeated phrase in the book of Judges describes a period of history that has been referred to as the "Dark Ages” of the nation of Israel. Each time the Israelites fell into sin, they suffered dire consequences. But when they cried out to God, God responded with great mercy and sent a judge.
Unlike modern-day judges, these judges were called by God to deliver the nation of Israel from their enemies. Sadly, once a judge died, the Israelites again "did what was evil in the sight of the LORD", turning away from Him to "do what was right in their own eyes". This is the tragic and recurring cycle of the book of Judges. But not all was lost! There was a Light shining on the horizon: God's Promised Messiah, Jesus Christ.
The book of Romans opens by declaring the glorious light of His gospel of salvation: For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” (Romans 1.16-17)
After quickly dipping into the depravity that is mankind's reality apart from God, the Apostle Paul points to Christ’s righteousness that belongs to believers by faith. It has been said that Romans is "pure gospel, pure doctrine". It is a doctrinally rich book which has transformed countless lives since the first time it was read by the people of Paul’s day. Let us join their ranks!