Somedays I am just grateful that the day has no big items to deal with, just several small ones. Today is one of those days. My prayer today focused on the small stuff and finding joy in work. Joy for the blessings that come with work and joy because I have such great helpers. It is going to be a good day!
Judges 4-5
The book of Judges is a gritty book. It is filled with sin, violence and the judgment of God. It is an action book. A modern counterpart would be an action and war movie. While this book contains certain qualities that might appeal to men more than women, the book of Judges is a book that actually elevates the position of women in Israelite society.
In chapters 4-5 , we are introduced to two women who were used by God in great ways. Those women are Deborah and Jael. One was a respected leader in the nation; the other was a simple housewife. They came from different walks of life, but they were both used by God in remarkable ways.
Deborah
Deborah is a remarkable person. She is like a torch that enlightens everything else around her. Note the description given of her in chapter 4 verse 4. People are most often identified by their families. She is the wife of Lappidoth. They may also be identified by their tribe or region. But in Deborah's case, the first thing highlighted about her is that she was a prophetess. She knew God and His purposes.
Deborah's role was to lead Israel back to God. She told people repeatedly: "God is in charge. Don't just look at your inadequate weapons. Don't just look at the iron chariots. Don't just look at the difficulties. Our Lord loves us, and He will act."
In verse 7 of chapter 5 she describes herself as "a mother in Israel." This is not because she had children of her own, we don't know if she had any children of her own, it is because she saw herself in the role of a mother guiding God's children of Israel back to Him. Israel needed a strong, faithful mother figure to get them back on track and she stepped up to take the job.
Her vision of the world was shaped not by the political situation of her day, but by her realationship with God. Because of this, Deborah was just the leader Israel needed. She was an example to them. When she heard God she beleived him, her courage gave them courage, and her strong faith gave Israel hope which led them to their freedom and a peace that lasted for forty years.
Deborah is someone that the women of the world can look to emulate. She has strong characteristics that if taught and actively pursued could change the world today. We may not be a leader of nations, but we can be a mother in our own sphere, big or small, influencing others far beyond our little group. We too can be a mother in Israel.
Jael
Before Jael is introduced by name, a prophecy is given by the Judge of Israel. Judges 4:9:
"And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the Lord shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh"
We learn here that God intends to use a woman to defeat the enemy of Israel. Barak, the great general, will not get the glory for what occurs, as God has decided to use a woman to defeat the powerful enemy.
Jael proves to be a strong and determined woman. She takes the initiative not only without her husband's consent, but against her husband's wishes, to slay an enemy of Israel. We know Heber (her husband) would not have appreciated Jael pegging Sisera as Judges 4:17 tells us:
"Howbeit Sisera fled away on his feet to the tent of Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite: for there was peace between Jabin the king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite."
The Bible praises Jael, calling her most blessed, then goes on to laud not her submissive, gentle virtues, but her rather gory actions (5:24-27). Jael's actions might strike us today as bloodthirsty, but by the standards of ancient warfare, she was a hero. She was decisive and courageous, and her actions helped God's people at a critical moment in history.
Jael may seem to be in contrast to Deborah's more materanl approach with Israel, but remember that she is fulfilling a prophesy that Deborah made, and the Lord often works in ways that we do not fully understand. We are not told Jael's reasons for her actions, but we do know that the Lord was behind it so that should be enough.
I hope that if I am ever in a position to do the Lord's work and what I am asked to do seems unusual, that I will have the stength and courage to follow through like Jael did. Her strength impresses me.
It was an interesting study session looking at the women's point of view in waging war. There are characteristics in these women that I need to improve on in my own life so that I can be a more effective servant in the war of today. A mother and a warrior, what a great combination, somehow it seems to fit my personality!
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