Thought for the Week

Thus far we have had most unusual candidates for heroes. We have found a man who was successful because he was left-handed. We have had a man who won a major battle and did not even have military training, uniforms, or weapons. Hopefully we learned Israel has skipped these absolute requirements of God: The need to worship and obey God, the need to teach and train the next generation, the need to purge and cleanse the land of sin, we have seen the need to repent of disobedience and idolatry. But you would think Israel would learn that while repentance is absolutely necessary when they have disobeyed, they would learn not to disobey in the first place. If we learned what they skipped, we won’t. Today we will look at a complete package: the judge actually judges, although without a courtroom and judicial robes. But our judge today is also a prophet. She is a lady. As said, she is a judge, a prophet, a wife, a “mother in Israel,” and more. Being a “Mother in Israel” likely means she has reached middle age. Her name is Deborah. Now she receives a message from God, to commission a military man named Barak to lead an army of Israel. Previous judge, Ehud has died and again, Israel returns to idol worship and disobedience to God. Now they are overcome by King Jabin, the army of Canaan, and its general Sisera. It looks a bit hopeless. This enemy army has 900 iron chariots. We would wonder how Israelite foot soldiers with wooden weapons could win against chariots of iron. It seems The Israelite general Barak might be wondering the same thing. He does not say he is afraid or unwilling to go and fight, but he does lay down a condition to Deborah, “I will go and fight but only if you go with me.” Perhaps he is hoping that will end the call. But it does not. Deborah is obedient to the call from God, plainly tells Barak, and also tells him that because of his hesitancy, he will not receive the great glory available. It will rather go to a woman. So, they prepare the army and set off. God again takes a hand. It seems God is always involved in the victories of His people. God’s weapon of choice is rain. He sends a downpour and flood waters come on the plain. Can you picture it? Heavy iron chariots in the mud. Worse than useless. We have bogged horses and chariots that cannot maneuver and foot soldiers that can freely move and attack. General Sisera knows to get out while he can. He jumps down from his chariot and flees on foot for home. In the distance he sees a welcome sight. A woman who is not from Israel waves him to her tent. He pleads for a drink of water. She offers him milk; much more refreshing and even energizing. She even offers him a place to rest/nap and covers him with a blanket. When he falls asleep, she takes a sharpened tent peg and hammer in hand. She notes the spot just above his ear where she can see a pulse. She lines up the tent peg and with one powerful blow, general Sisera is nailed to the ground. The battle is won for Israel and the glory goes to the woman. Israel has peace for another 40 years. You will notice chapter five is a song composed to glorify God. Deborah and Barak sing it together and I expect they teach it to Israel as well. Years later the Psalmist reminds us, “It Is a good thing to sing praises to the Lord most high.”

Scriptures to Read

Judges 4:1-12

Judges 4:13-17

Judges 4:18-24

Judges 5:1-12

Judges 5:13-20

Judges 5:21-27

Judges 5:28-31