Judges – Page 7 – Be Still…

Judges 5:12-23 – It Wasn’t My Battle

two dogs looking like they are going to fight

The story of Deborah has many facets to uncover. As we walk through her “song,” we are reminded of what transpired that day. Who were the players who got involved? Of note are also those who didn’t show up to represent God’s army. Why do I get the impression that this may have caused some alarm?

We know from an earlier passage that Barak had recruited the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali. It would seem that the other tribes who came to make a contribution were an added bonus. There are even two tribes that aren’t mentioned one way or another, Judah and Simeon. They were perhaps otherwise engaged, but certainly not called on by Barak. For those who stayed home, could it be it wasn’t their battle to fight?

Judges 5:1-11 – Deborah’s Song

Read Judges 5:1-11

There is some good stuff in Deborah’s Song, so we’ll unpack it slowly over the next few readings. There is no reason to rush through a chapter when we can take time to savor how it is speaking to us. I’ve known people who have studied for months, even years, on just a few verses! God’s word is alive, and it always brings new messages when the time is right.

We now start to imagine the victory chants that took place when Deborah’s words, actually God’s message to Deborah, came true! They had defeated their foe, and even the earth trembled. That speaks to me of the great communion of God with his creation. When God’s will is being accomplished, we can expect to witness a movement taking place.

Judges 4:17-24 – The Unexpected Twist

Read Judges 4:17-24

And I thought Deborah was going to be the hero of the story! In our last reading, you’ll recall a conversation between our current judge, Deborah, and her military leader recruit, Barak. When she said that God’s victory would be at the hands of a woman, didn’t you imagine she was talking about herself? Or was it just me?

Actually, I had been waiting for the story of Jael. I had forgotten where it fell in the timeline of God’s story. There is a lot we can learn from Jael. She turned fear into triumph! But she didn’t do it on her own. God had already planned it, and whether or not Deborah knew “who” the woman would be, God had shared with her ahead of time that victory would involve a woman.

Judges 4:1-16 – Deborah Delegates

Read Judges 4:1-16

Twenty years was enough this time as they were tired of being controlled by King Jabin of Hazor. They cried out and God sent Deborah, a woman. Did that surprise you that God would enlist a woman to help him?

We’ve heard that the judges are really warriors, but in Deborah’s case it sounds like she also listened to the people’s situation and made rulings. We read, “Israelites would go to her for judgment.” But as we keep reading we see that she was also a warrior.

Judges 3:12-31 – What Do We Know About Ehud?

Read Judges 3:12-31

spy with dark glasses and hat against black background

It seems a little like a scene from a spy novel or motion picture just unfolded! Where did this Ehud come from? What we do see is that the “pattern” repeated itself in Moab this time. The Lord delivered his beloved Israelites to the Moabites. When the people had had enough and cried out, God sent Ehud. Like a spy, Ehud found his way into the Moabite king’s inner sanctum and killed him.

We’ve all watched a drama or two filled with corruption and seen how the spy character is able to manipulate their way into the right place to make their move. The tricky part then is always the stealth escape with lots of suspense. That was what I was imagining when I pictured Ehud doing what God called him to do.