God of Deborah

Topic: STEP OUT AND TAKE CHARGE LIKE – DEBORAH!

Text: JUDGES 4 AND 5

read judges4:1-9, 14-21, 5:1,3b,5,7-9,12

Chapter 5 is the triumphal song

Introduction

Maybe it was these that led, former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to say, "In politics, if you want anything said, ask a man. If you want anything done, ask a woman."

Stepping out in this our walk of faith can often be intimidating and cause us to have moments of fear as we are more often than not called to step out into the unknown. Here was a courageous, bold woman who is a respected prophetess and outstanding and passionate leader of her time. She was a woman of strength plus conviction and brought order out of chaos. Deborah was a wise yet patient woman that I like to best describe as an eagle!! An extraordinarily humble woman. She was one who is willing to disadvantage herself in order to advantage the nation. And so her focus is clear. Even if our "army" is a small group of volunteers or a team at work or at home, we can learn from Deborah's leadership style by putting aside any personal agenda, listening for God's clear direction, and letting others know who really is running the show. and I just want us to explore on what makes Deborah this unique personality.

BACKGROUND

Judges was most likely written during the time of the kings of Israel. The Israelites, now in the Promised Land went through a constant cycle of falling into sin, being punished by God via an attack by enemy invaders, crying out to the Lord in repentance and a Judge being raised up to lead the nation back towards God and deliver them from their troubles.

The stories in the book of judges may have been a way of looking back at their past and trying to glorify their present. Each of the stories in Judges is cyclical with the people being oppressed, crying out for deliverance, being delivered and then making God mad and ending up being oppressed again. This cycle could only come to an end with the advent of a king.

We may not know for sure how Deborah became a leader because other than her husband’s name, no personal information is provided for her. However, there are clues in the Song. A time of chaos is described preceding her appearance on the scene when “travelers took to the winding paths and all village life in Israel ceased.” In other words, times were bad, folks kept away from the main roads, left their villages and fled to the “protection of walled cities” while gangs roamed the land. People lived in fear.

Then something wonderful happened. A leader rose up in the Israelites time of need. And lo and behold, it was a woman. “I Deborah arose, arose a mother in Israel.” The people were being reminded that God had not forgotten them. The people put their lives back together and began to feel a stirring of hope. This led them to want to throw off the oppression they were living under.

The focal figure of a woman as leader and commander is out of step with the way things were usually done in a patriarchal world. A woman in charge is not an image that readily comes to mind when we think of the Old Testament world. And while it is true that there are many other examples in the Old Testament of women who helped to rule their tribes, Deborah is the one who “judged” - alone among a host of male leaders. Perhaps we can call her A rose among thorns.

Identification

Deborah is a woman who is defined by her role as leader. Despite her husband’s name, she stands alone. Strong independent women who lead, like Martha, Phoebe, Priscilla and others, are a feature of the New Testament where they are numerous and do not seem unusual. Perhaps they looked to Deborah as an example of how a strong woman should behave.

You see albert Einstein wished to do something Great and Wonderful, but he acknowledged that he must start by doing the little things like they were Great and Wonderful” . This is the exact lesson we learn from Deborah. Note that her story doesn’t just begin with the wonderful victory in battle but by the fact that she resolved diputes within and amongst the people. She began somewhere. As a matter of fact she began under the palm tree.  Indeed to be great you don’t have to start great but start wherever you are and do everything greatly. Do not despise humble beginnings.

In verse 9 Deborah actually accompanies Barak and we can see Barak’s confidence and trust in God is tested as Deborah tells him the Lord’s command. But here is courageous and bold Deborah who stands by Him and affirms Him over and over despite the great army they are to face – sisera –900 iron chariots. The role of both prophets and women in battle at that time was crucial. Prophets “played many roles in battle they muster and they inspire.” Deborah goes with him to where the troops are assembling and then watches the battle. She does not fight. Yet she has a weapon just the same. Her words are her weapons.  Her role is to “inspire, predict and celebrate in song.” Indeed very timely is verse 14 she charges barak at the appointed time. ‘get ready’ she says. Here is wisdom in action “Wisdom is knowing what to do next. Virtue is doing it.” The famous David Starr Jordan said.

What would you do if you knew you could not fail? You see many times we venture into something but our minds are filled with endless doubts! Questions of, ‘what if’ and ‘what if’? But here goes a woman who knew Victory was granted and soooo assured!! She knew what has been assured to her people and had no intention of looking back. As she says in the Song of Deborah: “March on my soul with courage!

Conclusion

For the prophets of the Old Testament, failure in the area of either social injustice or general wickedness was always linked with the failure to ‘know’ God. Indeed it is clear that righteousness and justice are the foundation of God’s throne” (Psalms 89:14). God governs the world by his righteous laws. However, I believe that at the heart of this story is the message that for us to step out we need to have faith no matter what the odds.

Deborah confirms that, we must Plan, act and above all you must believe “To accomplish great things, we must not only dream, but also act; not only plan, but also believe.” In addition, Martin Luther junior said that, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and defining controversy.”

Deborah’s faith never wavered. She showed the way to a people starving to be redeemed. She pushed to show where her heart lay, she went where she felt God was leading. Faith was her guide and her watchword. Too often we are fearful about letting faith be our guide. Perhaps what we learn from Deborah is that having a strong faith means we have to follow where God is leading us knowing that if the valley gets dark God walks with us: even in painful situations. We have all been in painful situations that required faith above what we thought we could give.

Prof. Habtu’s story that he would have a child after nine years of waiting.

I know what I’m talking about and I could example of others but let me tell you, I own faith that was tested about a year ago when it was so clear to me that I ought to go back to school and train theologically. As I struggled to understand my situation, my doubts surfaced and stared me in the face. It was not an easy time in my life. However, God surrounded me with family and friends who encouraged and prayed with me. Through their presence and through prayer, I knew deep in my heart, despite my fear and questioning that indeed God was with me. It was something I never understood as completely as I do now in my 2^nd year 2^nd term. But it is something I now carry with me always.

What has/is the Lord impressing on your heart or on your mind? What is that that He is/has already called you to step out and take charge of? What is it you hear Him saying to you?

For all of us God has a specified direction. Let me challenge you to arise and take charge by stepping out!! God is with me. God was with Deborah. God is with us. Amen.