God has been laying on my heart for some time that it was time to show how he uses women in mighty ways in his kingdom. There are several woman that I could have decided to write about. I was waiting on God to reveal to me who he wanted me to write about.I had started reading the book of Judges as my bible reading for the year brought me to this book.
I have read judges twice in my life. It was always for me a difficult book to read and understand. The constant theme through the whole book of judges is that people did what they wanted to and failed to obey God. But in the end he still forgives them and delivers them still time after time.
Then I began to read chapter 4. To my amazement the book talks about Deborah who was the fourth and only woman judge. I thought "God you are quite amusing". He was going to use this book which was quite difficult for me to read and understand to write a blog on. There was no doubt in my mind that Deborah was who he wanted me to write about and I was up for the challenge.
Let me tell you some things about Deborah. God gave her the intellect and confidence that would place her in a different, interesting position in the Old Testament. As you will see from her story, she was not a woman who was hungry for power. She was faithful and obedient to the task at hand and never wavered. She gave God all the glory and honor for what she had accomplished.
She was the fourth judge of Israel who was also a advocate, confidant and counselor. She was also a writer of songs and recognized for her prophetic abilities. She rose to the occasion to lead and was able to plan, delegate, direct, and execute the plans given to her by God. She was also the wife of Lappidoth. She was not just concerned with winning the battles, but cared for her people and encouraged them to follow and obey God.
Our story begins from Judges chapter 4 years ranging from(1367-1050 BC. We meet Jabin and Sisera who were from the Caanites. They were forces from within the country who were oppressing the people for 20 years and had no problem putting fear in their hearts. They were beginning to assemble, build up their power and planning to attack.
The problem began when the Israelites did not accomplish the task of driving out the Caanites from the land to begin with. If they had obeyed God from the start then this event would have never taken place.
The Caanite army was awesome in power with their 900 iron chariots. It would appear at a first glance that Israel was not strong enough to conquer such an powerful army. But this is not where the story ends.
Then we are introduced to Deborah who was a devoted faithful woman who called on God for help. She was a awesome woman chosen by God to lead Israel at this time.She went out from her hometown which was between Ramah & Bethel. She sends for Barak a son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and explains to him that God is commanding him to take 10,000 men and lead them to Mt. Tabor. Deborah than reveals that her plan is to lead Sisera, the commander of Jabin's army to the Kishon River and deliver him into Barak's hands. Deborah encourages and reminds Barak that God would be with him every step of the way in this fight. We then see Barak is doubting and appears to be afraid or was lacking the confidence that he could lead this battle. He then asks Deborah to go with him.
There would be a great consequence for Barak's course of action and he would lose out on being the one God uses to win the battle. Deborah would then prophesy to Barak that God would now deliver Sisera into the hands of a woman.
Deborah wastes no time and immediately takes the lead in the battle alongside Barak. Barak follows the chariots and army to Harosheth Haggoyim and all if Sisera's men die by the sword. Sisera is able to escape on foot and ends up at the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber who was a Kenite. Interestingly enough Jael's husband Heber was not siding with the Israelites and remained neutral, friendly and apparently had an alliance with the forces of Jabin and Sisera.
In the end we see that Jael did not side with her husband and goes against him. Sisera enters her tent which was not permitted back at this time. Men were not allowed inside the tents of woman. Sisera asks for a drink and Jael gives him a drink,covers him up and assures him that he will be safe. As he is sleeping she picks up a tent peg and hammer and drives it through his temple and he dies. In the end we see how Deborah's prophecy comes to fruition and God uses this brave and strong woman Jael to conquer Sisera.
This story to me is just one example of how God can use women in amazing ways to accomplish his will. I want to encourage each woman that read this blog that you are special in his eyes and he has a plan for each one of you. When you call on his name, be prepared that he does answer the ones that seek him. Jeremiah 29:13. Will you be ready for what he has in store for you?
God Bless
