Business and the Book of Judges

After 13 weeks teaching an adult class on the Old Testament book of Judges, one thing is clear: as bleak as its stories are, the lessons for our lives—and for businesses—are profound.

Judges isn’t just a history of flawed leaders and a society in decline—it’s a vivid warning about what happens when godly leadership is pushed aside and everyone does what seems right in their own eyes. Four different times, the book repeats: “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” The result? Chaos, conflict, and the breakdown of trust.

Business owners, take note: When organizations lack clear values and a commitment to integrity, decision-making becomes subjective and unpredictable. If everyone’s truth is up for grabs, teamwork breaks down and confusion reigns. Culture erodes; conflict creeps in. Hospitality and common decency suffer, and work relationships become transactional and distrustful.

Judges teaches that the absence of principled leadership leads to disaster—for societies and for businesses. If we aren’t guided by higher standards, we risk becoming our own "gods," making up the rules as we go. True leadership means anchoring company culture in values that unite your team, prioritize respect, and create trust. That’s how businesses thrive, even in challenging times.