Judges 4-6
7/66 | Author: Unknown | Old Testament | Genre: Historical | 1380-1170 B.C. (estimated)
4: Deborah and Barak
Between the last judge and the next, Israel reverted to evil. This led to a growing spiritual disconnect and twenty years of oppression under a ruler named Sisera. It wasn't until they sought God that they received relief.
The judge at the time was also a prophetess named Deborah. She called on Barak, a man from the tribe of Naphtali, to assemble an army. She knew that Sisera must fall to a woman. Together, they led an attack on Sisera's military.
"Go! This is the day the Lord has handed Sisera over to you. Hasn't the Lord gone before you?" (4:14)
Around the same time, the wife of a relative of Moses (Jael) was camping in an area where Sisera sought refuge from the battle. Jael invited Sisera in to rest and stabbed a tent peg into his head while he was asleep, fulfilling Deborah's prophecy of a woman interfering on behalf of Israel. Israel increased in power as they regained control from the Canaanites.
5: Deborah's Song
Deborah and Barak praise God for His leadership against the Canaanite forces. Israel experienced peace for forty years under Deborah.
6: Gideon's Calling
As we have previously seen, "the Israelites did what was evil in the sight of the Lord" (6:1). Israel again found itself oppressed by yet another nation, Midian. They received a prophet when they cried out. The prophet reminded them that God delivered them from oppression and enslavement in Egypt, and yet, they still lived disobediently.
As Gideon was working, an angel of the Lord appeared and declared, "The Lord is with you, valiant warrior" (6:12). Gideon questioned how the Lord could be with him during such hardship.
"But the Lord turned to him and said, 'Go in the strength you have and deliver Israel from the grasp of Midian. I am sending you!" (6:14).
Gideon worried about the logistics of this command; how could the youngest, most physically inferior son of this family go before Israel?
Sound familiar?
God reassured Gideon that He would be with him. Gideon asked if the Lord would remain in this place until he could offer a gift. The angel of the Lord generated a fire that consumed the food offering and disappeared. Gideon realized what divine encounter had just occurred and assembled an altar for God.
When night came, Gideon tore down his father's altar to Baal and built one for God in its place, as God commanded. The men ordered Gideon to be killed for insulting their gods. Gideon's father, Joash, suggested that their god defend himself to prove he is worthy of worship.
Gideon asked God for clarification about His involvement in delivering Israel. First, he asked that God coat a wool fleece with the morning dew but leave the surrounding ground dry. Verse 38 states, "And that is what happened." Gideon wrung the dew out of this material and filled a bowl with water. Gideon asked for one more sign. He asked that the fleece remain dry this time while the ground would be saturated with dew. This request also came to fruition.
"Evil in the Lord's sight" counter: 2
In chapter 4, Barak tells Deborah he will not go if Deborah does not go, which reminds me of the story of Naomi and Ruth (which we will get to!), as well as Moses and God in Egypt. A recurring theme throughout scripture is the importance of choosing our company wisely. Seeing two rely on one another to commit to God's plan is an encouragement for us amidst the individualist climate society prides itself on. When it came to Moses, he knew that he needed God. Without placing our hope in God Himself, we can not start, progress, or finish any part of a godly plan!
Another point to highlight is the importance and multifaceted nature God intentionally instilled in women. He has never forgotten about mothers, daughters, sisters, or wives when presenting them with various purposes and abilities throughout the Bible. Some of the greatest events required yielding to a woman's grace!
Later, Deborah said something familiar, "Hasn't the Lord gone before you?" (4:14). Just as the Lord went ahead of the Israelites in the wilderness, He goes before our battles today! Throughout my evolving pregnancy, the devil has tried to weasel in to steal the joy the Lord has placed in my life. I remind myself of the same sentiment: God has a perfect plan and goes ahead of me in every moment to see His divine goodness come to fruition! Our God will not ever leave us to be sitting ducks in a storm.
Just as Moses questioned his speaking abilities, Gideon doubted the power he had in his physique. The thing is, when God has a calling, no perceived insecurity or inability can stand in the way! He makes everything count. Like Gideon, we question ourselves and then question God. It is challenging to redirect our thinking from the reality of our world, but in doing this, God's will and work are done. These individuals and their internal struggles were included in the same book as Jesus to resonate with us as followers; we are all imperfect, but still, we have a place of purpose in God's intricately woven design of receiving eternal life through a merciful Christ.
Gratitude List:
Pumpkin-shaped candy corn
Growing baby bumps
Mid-week catch-ups with friends
Hearing our baby's sweet heartbeat (and watching him dramatically turn and twist from every ultrasound tech!)
My favorite shows returning for new seasons
Turkey legs
Freshly mopped floors
Accumulating the cutest baby goods — my husband and I cannot express how incredible it is to be loved in such a way that other people are also overwhelmed with excitement and anticipation for the arrival of our baby!
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References:
Myers, R., & Williams, A. B. (2020). She Reads Truth Bible. Holman Bible Publishers.