Rise Up, and Obey!

Dr. B.J. Miller once said, "It is a great deal easier to do that which God gives us to do, no matter how hard it is, than to face the responsibilities of not doing it."

In the time between Joshua leading the people of Israel into Canaan ("The Promised Land") and when the monarchy was established, God sent judges to his people to remind them how to live God's way.

Influenced by their neighbors, a pattern soon developed where the people of Israel forgot God and started to worship the gods of the surrounding Canaanites. God punished their sin by allowing the locals to oppress them. The people remembered God and cried out for His help. He sent them a judge to lead them and gave them victory over their enemies. Then there was a time of peace and prosperity.

Deborah (her name means "honey bee") was a descendent of Joseph and the only female Judge over Israel. Her vision of the world was not shaped by the political situation of her day, but by her relationship with God. Deborah was a woman among men, she was brave, intelligent, trustworthy and confident of God’s word and presence.

Though women of the ancient world didn't usually become political leaders, Deborah was just what Israel needed, a woman, a prophetess, one who acted between God and man, one who heard God and believed him; and let the people know God’s will. She was a woman who had the courage that was needed. It was her courage that aroused the people, enabling them to throw off foreign oppression!

Like us, many of those we read about in the early years of Israel's history had a cycle of imperfect faith in God's promises, yet God was faithful to them. The cycle is once again illustrated here for us. Israel had been delivered from their enemies, there was peace in the land, and after a few years of peace, Israel forgets God and turns toward idols. This time God uses the Canaanites from Hazor to discipline Israel. He oppresses Israel for 20 years. After they were oppressed, they cried out to God for help. In His mercy He forgave their sins when they were repentant.

Turning back to Deborah, why do you think God used her? Could it be she was the only one listening to God at the time? Several times in this book (Judges 4:1-5:31) we see how God uses women to do His work. Deborah serves us as a godly example with her servant like heart, her ability to delegate, her authoritative leadership and her willingness to serve God at any cost.

Deborah was an extraordinary woman, for sure. She ruled Israel under a palm tree that bore her name. She was out in the field judging while her peers were at home weaving, she was prophesying while most women were home cooking meals. She went into battle while other women stayed home with their children.

But, it's not about what Deborah did, it's why she did it. God had asked her to do it, and no matter what the cost, Deborah acted in faith. She would have been just as willing to stay home and let the men lead, but God called her. Why? Were there no men to do the task?

Some have said that in times when men are spiritually weak God uses women instead. It is probably more accurate to say the deeds and faith of the women were simply more evident in these times. For the Lord gives gifts and callings to all his people. If we don’t use them, we lose them, and they will be given to someone else.

The bottom line is that it's all about obedience. In a nutshell, Deborah obeyed God and He gave their enemies to her hand. So, rise up, follow her example, obey God even if you don’t feel you have been called and let God work through you!

Read: Judges 4:1-5:31

Prayer:

Savior, teach me, day by day, Love's sweet lesson to obey; Sweeter lesson cannot be, Loving Him who first loved me. With a child's glad heart of love, At Thy bidding may I move, Prompt to serve and follow Thee, Loving Him who first loved me. Teach me thus Thy steps to trace, Strong to follow in Thy grace, Learning how to love from Thee, Loving Him who first loved me. Love in loving finds employ, In obedience all her joy; Ever new that joy will be, Loving Him who first loved me. -Jane E. Leeson, 1807-1882

Have a blessed day!

Lynette