In Judges, Chapters three through five we find God proving Israel. He would send a deliverer for Israel's delivery and they would go into Idolatry as soon as that leader died. Finally we come to Deborah and Barak! God chooses Deborah to be a prophetess (tells you the character of the men involved. God will always accomplish His purpose, even when men aren't man enough to do the job.) God chooses a Godly woman and a weak Leader, Barak! The people in their rebellion deserved a weak leader. God gave instructions and Barak's response was (4:8) "If thou will not go with me, then I will not go up." Nevermind God had already promised to deliver (4:6-7) the enemy into his hand. He was a coward, and wouldn't go without Deborah! Some might say, He only wanted to ensure the presence of God, but the truth is God already promised victory and victory cannot come without God's presence.
I am reminded of the rebellion of our own country and our weak leader. We have certainly earned the leader we have since we have refused to honor and obey God with every aspect of our lives. We ignore His Holiness favoring His love and expect to please Him? 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, If my people (God's people) which are called by my name (Christians!) shall humble themselves (we have a truly prideful nation, instead of a thankful one.) and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways: then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. It's high time we, as Christians, didn't stop short of His Holiness but turned from sin and humbled ourselves and prayed to Him, and sought His face. We have the leader we deserve. Please notice the verse didn't say when the world turns from their wicked ways then God will heal the land. Repentance from the unGodly lives of beleivers is required.
God give us repentant hearts that would be willing to admit to our unGodly wicked ways and turn from them and pray for our land, lest we end up like the other countries of the past who forgot God.
Ps 9:17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.
Thanks so much for your commentary. Reading through Judges is much like looking in the mirror at times. We need to remember that this was God's chosen nation that he allowed all this to happen to. We shouldn't expect to be treated any differently. I am reminded of the verse that says that God corrects those he loves. Sometimes love hurts.
ReplyDeleteIn the first 5 verses it states that God purposely left these people in the land to test the next generation. First it reminds me of the tree in the garden of Eden, then it reminds me of right now. There are tests for all of us in every generation. God has chosen to always give us choices. It is for our good that he does this. We have to learn to choose him over everything else in the world. The consequences for doing otherwise are painful. Most of all we are teaching the next generation how to pass the tests that will be laid out for them. They learn by watching how we deal with our tests.
I have much to think about today...
Boots-
ReplyDeleteYour post is very accurate and deep! Amen!!!
As I was reading the chapters in Judges last night I tried to put myself in the times of Israel. The wickedness, rebellion, and corruption of the people continue to astound me in every aspect of their situation. God showed me in these chapters how gracious and merciful he really was and continues to be to this very minute. God gives second, third, fourth, etc. chances to do His will. As Harriet stated "there are tests for all of us in EVERY generation." God wants to use us as his vessel at all ages to work for His glory!!! Judges is gearing up to be a "teachable" book.
I heard a wonderful message on Deborah last year. It was all about how she encouraged the men around her, in their calling. She didn't try to take the authority, or male-bash. And, she saw herself first as a MOTHER :) Read the words of her song, and appreciate her view.....
ReplyDeleteMs. Boots - I LOVE the way you compared the situation with the Israelites at this point in Judges with where the United States is currently at as a nation. How VERY, VERY true are your statements! We as a nation have forgotten God and that is a VERY DANGEROUS place to be!! I also love the strong leadership of a woman, Deborah, that is right here in the middle of all this mess and in the middle of all the male leaderhip. Sometimes I think God put these women strategically in His Word so that we as women will be continually reminded that we are SO VERY important to Him!!
ReplyDeleteThese three chapters are packed with some pretty intense information. My head is spinning a bit :)
ReplyDeleteI wonder how Deborah was in the position of leading the nation of Isreal? I know God ordained that, but I wonder how the tribal leaders at that time felt about a woman being their leader. I'm thinking she was the first female leader of the nation, right?
And there were some interesting, gory details of how two kings were killed. Yuck! I would think to kill like that would require some pretty intense emotions. Think the Israelites were angry, frustrated people during these times?!?!
When reading about the first judges (leaders), I am comforted to know that God provided the leaders that Isreal needed. He has also provided the leader that we need as a church family. I'm very excited about the transition OH is about to enter and the future in store for us!!
Terry.....I have to wonder with you if the woman in the tent probably meant nothing more than hospitality, until the Lord moved her heart to grab the tent peg!!! :)
ReplyDeleteNancy Leigh Demoss said that Deborah didn't lead the nation (unless we consider her seat as "judge" as leader)...but that she led the men to lead as God commanded, in battle. Oh, Barak wouldn't have done it without her wisdom for timing, but he did do it. :) I don't know for sure, but I'd love to learn more about this woman!!! Let's find something on Deborah to study sometime....