Judges 4:1-24
After Joshua died, the Israelites were ready to go about conquering their remaining land. God gave the tribe of Judah the go-ahead to attack the Canaanites first; and they did, with the help of Simeon's tribe. Together, they fought many battles and God gave them victory, though some tribes were more successful than others, taking the inhabitants as slaves rather than driving them completely out of the land.
Of course in true Israelite style, though that was not what God had told them to do. So, their disobedience caused God's anger to be kindled against them and he vowed not to drive their enemies out of their lands anymore. They would remain there and tempt them just as the Israelites seemed to demonstrate they wanted. They followed after other gods and turned away from God. So, instead of victory, they were constantly met with defeat.
That caused them to cry and complain and beg God to save them. Sound familiar? It does to me. Isn't it funny how some things get passed down through generations while others don't? By this time, all the first generation Israelites who had come out of Egypt and through the wilderness had died. These Israelites were the new generation; what they knew of God had been passed down to them. Yet, they managed to pick up the rebellious habits of their forefathers rather than the faithful ones.
But of course, when they cried out for help, God, with his infinite patience and grace, did just that. He sent them judges - to whom they didn't listen - but who would ultimately be their only saving grace from the enemies God left in place because of their disobedience. He had to teach them directly since they didn't learn from the mistakes of others before them.
Othniel, nephew and son-in-law of Caleb is the first judge mentioned. Through God, he conquered the king of Aram, bringing peace for 40 years. He died, Israel turned, God punished, Israel cried and God sent Ehud. He was left-handed, which was very rare back then. He used that to cleverly kill the King Eglon of Moab, bringing peace for 80 years. It's really a great story in Judges 3. After Ehud was Shamgar then, eventually, Deborah.
Her time to judge came after Israel's sin-punish-cry-save cycle that left them oppressed under King Jabin of Hazor by Sisera, his army commander. Deborah sent for Barak to lead the Israelites in battle against Sisera and he did, but only with her help. Because he wouldn't go on his own, she told him the victory would come at the hands of a woman and he would not get any of the credit.
So, they fought and won, but Sisera escaped. He went to his buddy Heber's house to hide and his wife, Jael, took him in. She gave him some warm milk and put him under a blanket and waited. Sisera fell asleep and Jael used that opportunity to take a tent peg and hammer to his temple, pinning him to the floor. Oh, the wiles of women!
God can and will use anyone and anything to accomplish his mission. Here Sisera thought he was running to the safety of a friend, but this woman did what she felt was right. She obviously disagreed with her husband about this guy and she was right [big surprise! ;-)]. So, Barak came looking for him and she showed him what she had done. That was the catalyst for Israel to eventually defeat Jabin.
Lord, let me not use my femininity as an excuse to not do your will. Let me, instead, use the wisdom and cunning you have endowed me with to do what you need me to do; even when you called a man to do it first. When the time comes and you bless me with a husband, help me to follow you when he cannot see your will clearly just as Jael did. Thank you, Lord, for finding me worthy to be used in your great plan. Continue to use this willing vessel. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
After Joshua died, the Israelites were ready to go about conquering their remaining land. God gave the tribe of Judah the go-ahead to attack the Canaanites first; and they did, with the help of Simeon's tribe. Together, they fought many battles and God gave them victory, though some tribes were more successful than others, taking the inhabitants as slaves rather than driving them completely out of the land.
Of course in true Israelite style, though that was not what God had told them to do. So, their disobedience caused God's anger to be kindled against them and he vowed not to drive their enemies out of their lands anymore. They would remain there and tempt them just as the Israelites seemed to demonstrate they wanted. They followed after other gods and turned away from God. So, instead of victory, they were constantly met with defeat.
That caused them to cry and complain and beg God to save them. Sound familiar? It does to me. Isn't it funny how some things get passed down through generations while others don't? By this time, all the first generation Israelites who had come out of Egypt and through the wilderness had died. These Israelites were the new generation; what they knew of God had been passed down to them. Yet, they managed to pick up the rebellious habits of their forefathers rather than the faithful ones.
But of course, when they cried out for help, God, with his infinite patience and grace, did just that. He sent them judges - to whom they didn't listen - but who would ultimately be their only saving grace from the enemies God left in place because of their disobedience. He had to teach them directly since they didn't learn from the mistakes of others before them.
Othniel, nephew and son-in-law of Caleb is the first judge mentioned. Through God, he conquered the king of Aram, bringing peace for 40 years. He died, Israel turned, God punished, Israel cried and God sent Ehud. He was left-handed, which was very rare back then. He used that to cleverly kill the King Eglon of Moab, bringing peace for 80 years. It's really a great story in Judges 3. After Ehud was Shamgar then, eventually, Deborah.
Her time to judge came after Israel's sin-punish-cry-save cycle that left them oppressed under King Jabin of Hazor by Sisera, his army commander. Deborah sent for Barak to lead the Israelites in battle against Sisera and he did, but only with her help. Because he wouldn't go on his own, she told him the victory would come at the hands of a woman and he would not get any of the credit.
So, they fought and won, but Sisera escaped. He went to his buddy Heber's house to hide and his wife, Jael, took him in. She gave him some warm milk and put him under a blanket and waited. Sisera fell asleep and Jael used that opportunity to take a tent peg and hammer to his temple, pinning him to the floor. Oh, the wiles of women!
God can and will use anyone and anything to accomplish his mission. Here Sisera thought he was running to the safety of a friend, but this woman did what she felt was right. She obviously disagreed with her husband about this guy and she was right [big surprise! ;-)]. So, Barak came looking for him and she showed him what she had done. That was the catalyst for Israel to eventually defeat Jabin.
Lord, let me not use my femininity as an excuse to not do your will. Let me, instead, use the wisdom and cunning you have endowed me with to do what you need me to do; even when you called a man to do it first. When the time comes and you bless me with a husband, help me to follow you when he cannot see your will clearly just as Jael did. Thank you, Lord, for finding me worthy to be used in your great plan. Continue to use this willing vessel. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
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