Judges 4:1-4 - Again the Israelites did evil in the
eyes of the Lord, now that Ehud was dead. So
the Lord sold them into the hands of Jabin king of Canaan, who
reigned in Hazor. Sisera, the commander of his army, was based in
Harosheth Haggoyim. Because he had nine hundred chariots fitted with iron and
had cruelly oppressed the Israelites for twenty years, they cried to the Lord for
help. Now Deborah, a prophet, the wife of
Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time.
The Israelite had fallen once again to the evils around
them...despite the woman God had called as the judge during that time. Even
though the many warnings and commands she might have shared were ignored…they
still looked to her for leadership. God heard their repentant cry and even gave
Barak…the one he called to lead the army at that time…a humble spirit so he would
take Deborah with him to battle.
This chapter…one of the many times God led them out of bondage…
also included the record of another brave and courageous woman named Jael and
her quick actions. She alone drove a
tent peg into the temple of the King that had fled the battle… bringing closure
to the whole matter.
I am strengthened this morning by these two women…one dubbed
a leader and the other a simple housewife…and their faith. It is a reminder to
me that no matter what gender we are given at birth…no matter what station in life
we end up in life….God can use us to bring him great honor and glory. It also
reminds me that we need to be constantly listening and ready to do his will.
Despite the frustration that Deborah must have felt as
leader during one of Israel’s rebellious times….and the daily grind Jael must
have felt as a simple housewife… the fact that they were ready and listening
when God spoke such great purpose into their lives helped to bring glory to God
in their obedience to his direction in their lives.
Perhaps they were at least two of the people God laid on
Luke’s heart when he penned Luke 21:36…. “But stay awake at all times, praying
that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take
place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
These two women modeled this before these words were ever recorded.
Father…thank you for the reminder to always be ready to hear
your still …quiet voice tell us your perfect will. Forgive me for the times that allow the world
to interfere with my hearing what you have put me here on this earth to do.
Help me to use more of my time to stop and pray…and watch for the many opportunities
you place before me to show your love every day. Amen.
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