In celebration of Women’s History Month, I am sharing the story of Deborah from Judges. Less than 200 years had passed from the time Joshua had led the Jews into the Promised Land. Before the 12 tribes united under a king, there was the era of judges leading the Jewish nation. The first judge was Othniel. The second judge was Ehud; the third judge, Shamgar. It was after the second judge, Ehud, had died that the people began to turn from God and take on the ways of heathens. They put idols before God, and so God turned them over to the Canaanite King, Jabin of Hazor. Jabin had a cruel general named Sisera. Under Sisera, the Jewish people suffered terribly for twenty years, and the people cried out to God for relief.
I have to pause just a minute to recognize the theme that repeats itself time and time again throughout the bible and throughout the lives of Christians everywhere. We get comfortable once God has brought us to a place of safety. Then for some reason, whether we get too big for our britches or chase after shiny things, we choose to take our eyes off of God and pursue the treasures of the world. Once we get our butts beat, find ourselves lost or abandon, we cry out for God to save us once again. I am so thankful for the other theme that repeats itself throughout the bible; and that is, God will not forsake or leave His people. He will send hope and help for the victory is His.
Getting back to the story at hand, the people of God are crying out, begging God for relief from the suffering they are enduring under Sisera. God’s love for his people raises up a prophetess named Deborah, the fourth judge.
“Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at the time. She held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites came to her to have their disputes decided.”
So against a backdrop of sin and idolatry, here is Deborah, a wise and God-fearing woman, administering justice among the Jewish people. She does it publicly under a palm tree so that all may hear and learn God’s ways.
God delivers a liberating message to Deborah, so she sends for Barak and delivers the details for victory.
A little later in the text, we find out that Barak refused to obey God’s command to take his army and lead the way to Mount Tabor. His faith in God’s plan was conditional: He would go but only if Deborah would accompany him. This is her response.
“‘Very well,’ Deborah said, ‘I will go with you. But because of the way you are going about this, the honor will not be yours, for the Lord will hand Sisera over to a woman.'”
This is my modern-day view. Deborah knows the Lord has commanded Barak to move. Barak is not going to move without Deborah’s hand-holding and leadership. So she says, “Okay, I’ve got your back,” but then speaks honestly with him about the consequences of his disobedience; namely, that Barak will not get recognition for “the win.” Instead, the credit will go to another.
How many times do we miss the privilege of a victory through Christ because we add conditions to the plan? Likewise, how many times do we walk away rather than take the hand of someone who is struggling in their faith? One of the lessons gained from Deborah’s story is that when the strong take up the journey with the weak, the love of God shines brightly for the world to see and all of God’s children enjoy better days.
Getting There Together
Look for opportunities this week to strengthen someone else’s faith. If you are lacking faith, look for someone strong in faith to make the journey with you.
PLUNGE 