Right

This particular article, I have two husbands: A polygamist’s diary reminds me of several Bible verses.

Israelites were told NOT to do that which was right in their own eyes: Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes. (Deuteronomy 12:8)

Yet that phase is repeated in a couple of books:

… every man did that which was right in his own eyes. (Judges 17:6b)

… every man did that which was right in his own eyes. (Judges 21:25b)

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: (Proverbs 12:15a)

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: (Proverbs 21:2b)

Just as today, people believe they know better. Who does it hurt if we do what we wish? It’s right for me; it’s right for us; who else could possibly care?

Perhaps the answer lies in other Bible verses explaining that God sees a right way, and has laid out specific commandments:

When thou shalt hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep all his commandments which I command thee this day, to do that which is right in the eyes of the LORD thy God. (Deuteronomy 13:18)

Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father. (1 Kings 11:33)

And rent the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it thee: and yet thou hast not been as my servant David, who kept my commandments, and who followed me with all his heart, to do that only which was right in mine eyes; (1 Kings 14:8)

No one follows God’s commandments all the time. It is a failing we recognize yet it often separates us. We need to be so very grateful that we have examples of His forgiveness:

Because David did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, and turned not aside from any thing that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite. (1 Kings 15:5)

Forgiven – but not forgotten. Not held against us in judgment – but available for examples of what not to do, and God’s forgiving grace when we acknowledge our shortcomings and return to His future for us.