Isolation Makes Us Vulnerable

Note from today’s Bible reading: Judges 18-21

When the tribe of Dan was seeking a place for their inheritance, they sent five men out to find a place suitable for them (Judges 18:1-2). Eventually, they “came to Laish and saw the people who were in it living in security, after the manner of the Sidonians, quiet and secure; for there was no ruler humiliating them for anything in the land, and they were far from the Sidonians and had no dealings with anyone” (Judges 18:7).

Unfortunately for the people of Laish, the peace that they enjoyed was coming to an end. The tribe of Dan “came to Laish, to a people quiet and secure, and struck them with the edge of the sword; and they burned the city with fire. And there was no one to deliver them, because it was far from Sidon and they had no dealings with anyone” (Judges 18:27-28).

There is a difference between self-sufficiency and isolation. Self-sufficiency means one recognizes his responsibility to take care of himself, which can include mutually beneficial interactions with others. Isolation is about cutting off contact and any potential help from others.

This is what the people of Laish did, and it led to their destruction. Similarly, if we cut ourselves off from others, we will be in trouble when we encounter difficult situations in life.

So remember that isolation makes us vulnerable. God intends for us – especially in the church – to help and be helped by others. Ultimately, we are responsible for taking care of ourselves no matter what others do; but we will have a much more difficult time if we have no one to support and encourage us.