(August 06, 2024) Brian Bell shares more on this theme quoting from Judges NLT(1996)…

In Part 2 of this short series I share with you some thoughts about a woman God chose to place in an Old Testament leadership position. Judges 4:4 introduces us to Deborah — a prophetess who had become a judge in Israel.

It is important to set the context. Following their entrance into the land God had promised to Abraham, under God’s direction and Joshua’s leadership, the children of Israel began to take possession of the land and subdue the occupants.

Disobedience Cycles
After Joshua died he was not succeeded by another leader such as Moses or himself because God was to be their leader. In Judges 2:7 we read‘… the Israelites served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and the leaders who outlived him, those who had seen all the great things the Lord had done for Israel.’

However verse 10 tells that sadly ‘After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the Lord or remember the mighty things He had done for Israel.’

Taking full possession of the land and subduing its occupants was a challenging task. The people of Israel also went through ongoing cycles of sinful disobedience to the Lord. They cried out to God for help and in His mercy God raised up a series of people to be their leaders who were known as judges.

Divine Appointment
We read in Judges:2:16-8 that‘… the Lord raised up judges to rescue the Israelites from their enemies… Whenever the Lord placed a judge over Israel, He was with that judge and rescued His people from their enemies throughout the judge’s lifetime.’

We can see some lessons about God’s choice of such judges that were not selected by a vote of the people. He —

• Raised them up by His divine appointment.
• Worked through them to rescue His people.
• Was with them despite their weaknesses. These were not an impediment because the judges were not operating in their own strength (a sound scriptural principle for all of us).

Devoted Woman
Deborah’s devotion is shown in her actions such as in chapter 4:5, ‘She would hold court under the Palm of Deborah, which stood between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim and the Israelites came to her to settle their disputes.’

(i) Service
This tells me about Deborah’s devotion in her service. She was faithful to the Lord’s calling and to the people she was called to serve. This is a good example for today’s Christian leaders.

Unlike the judges spoken about in Zephaniah 3:3 who were described as ravenous wolves, Deborah was not taking advantage of her position: she was defending the people’s lawful rights, not exploiting them for her personal advantage.

(ii) Attitude
Judges 5:7 also speaks about Deborah in these terms— ‘Deborah arose as a mother for Israel.’ This tells me that Deborah was also devoted in her attitude: a good mother nourishes her children and that is what she did for her people.

Dedicated Prophetess
Deborah (like Miriam in Exodus 15:20) is described as a prophetess (God’s messenger). She was a woman of God’s word and in Judges 4:6-7 she gives Barak, clearly a military man, a specific message from the Lord.

At this time, Israel has been under oppression from King Jabin for many years. The Lord’s word that Deborah brought to Barak was to assemble 10,000 warriors and that the Lord would lure Sisera, commander of the army of King Jabin, into a battle in which God would give Barak victory.

Barak agreed to go… but only if Deborah would go with him. Deborah consented to this but told Barak that he would not receive any military honour because the Lord’s victory over Sisera will be at the hands of a woman (Jael: Judges 4:17-22).

In battle terms, it was quite daunting because Sisera mobilised 900 of his iron chariots and all of his warriors to go against Barak’s army. To bring reassurance, Deborah told Barak: ‘Get ready! Today the Lord will give you victory over Sisera, for the Lord is marching ahead of you’ (4:14).

This word was fulfilled, the enemy defeated, Sisera was killed in a very brutal manner and the people of Israel were freed from King Jabin. The important point is that it was the Lord’s victory on behalf of His people in accordance with His word.

Speaking figuratively and in spiritual terms, here are some of the iron chariots or warriors we may face (maybe are facing):

• Past sin, defeat and or failings.
• Doubt, depression.
• Broken promises.
• Struggle to be free from a besetting sin.
• Accusations such as ‘You’re not good enough’ or ‘You’ve let God down’ or ‘You’ve gone too far for God to forgive you.’

Among evangelical Christian believers here in Northern Ireland, there is a saying: ‘We are marching in victory to victory.

This is not a reference to any prowess we may possess, military or otherwise! But recognising the fact that when believers engage daily in spiritual warfare against a daunting spiritual foe with his iron chariots, the battle continues— but victory has already been won, accomplished by Christ’s Calvary’s victory over sin, death and the grave.

Deliverance Legacy
Deborah’s worthy legacy is summed up in the ten closing words of Judges 5:31: ‘Then there was peace in the land for forty years.’ For people living in a volatile and hostile environment we can understand the stability a peace like this would bring.

• As believers today, we see the absence of peace worldwide because of various conflicts.
• Dissensions, often with dire and ongoing consequences, continue to beset our already troubled world!
• Our hope is placed in God’s word that on a day chosen by God the Father, the Prince of Peace— the Lord Jesus— will return to establish His peaceful reign.

In Exodus 15 we find the Song of Moses, an earlier song of deliverance. Deborah also left another legacy to her people —  and to us — in the words of the Song of Deborah which we can read in Judges 5.

Deborah’s legacy, this song of deliverance, relates specifically to the people of Israel and contains not only words of praise to the Lord, but also words of commendation to some of the tribes, and words of rebuke to others. The song also has spiritual lessons which I will not explore just now in this article.

Definite Finish
Deborah’s song echoes praise to God for victory over a mighty enemy and a finished battle.

Have you ever faced the ‘iron chariots’ or ‘warriors’ of the enemy? If so—

• Be a believer in Jesus’s victories,
• Lean on Him and God’s word,
• And you too march on in victory to victory!

American composer William J. Gaither’s song It is Finished has great encouragement—
‘It is finished, the battle is over
It is finished, there’ll be no more war
It is finished, the end of the conflict
It is finished and, Jesus is Lord.’

If you find yourself battling against some iron chariot or warriors the enemy has coming against your mind, spirit or body, stand fast to God’s word! He will give you victory and He is marching ahead of you. Remember 1Corinthians 15:57!

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Brian Bell is a diaconate member, Christ Church (Congregational) Abbots Cross, Northern Ireland. Brian delights in studying his NLT 1996 version and describes himself as ‘grateful for the privilege and opportunity given me to serve my Lord.’
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