May 17 & 18, 2025
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Judges, Proverbs, and Psalms? Here’s today’s reading:
Judges 4 (NIV)
Deborah
1 Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, now that Ehud was dead. 2 So the Lord sold them into the hands of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. Sisera, the commander of his army, was based in Harosheth Haggoyim. 3 Because he had nine hundred chariots fitted with iron and had cruelly oppressed the Israelites for twenty years, they cried to the Lord for help.……Continue Reading
Judges 4
Once again the Israelites disobey God because they are leaderless and He hands them over to their enemies. As a prophetess, Deborah must have shown wisdom and leadership in making decisions for the people and God works through her to accomplish their release from the grip of the canaanites. But even Deborah recognizes it shouldn’t be this way and the man that she calls should be able to stand on his own. But when he doesn’t, Deborah fills the gap. And God gives victory through the plan that Deborah comes up with and through Barak following the plan. And I remember my mom always saying how much she loved the verse where it says after the woman drives the tent stake though his temple, that he was dead. The Bible is not shy to state the obvious…and make a point how this powerful enemy of Israel was defeated in such a way.
Thanks, Pastor, for the explanation.
you are welcome, Suzanne!
Judges 4
Judges 4
Yet again the people find themselves in a mess and in need of a leader. God uses a woman this time to come alongside the man He called to this job when he is having trouble standing in the role God gave him. It seemed Deborah’s faith in God and wisdom to hear Him was what Barak needed to see in order to strengthen his own. This is a great example that women are capable and instrumental in God’s eyes and how instrumental a supportive role can be.
Judges 4
Deborah was a prophet, she knew what God had told Barak and encourages him to follow through into battle. Her faith is stronger than his! Many use the story of Deborah to argue for female leadership in the church. I think her leadership demonstrates that it should be an exception, not a general practice. Of course in the church we are not going into physical battle which requires physical strength, we are in a spiritual battle. Deborah says she will go but tells Barak he will receive no glory or credit. Jael wins the battle. The point, I think, isn’t that women shouldn’t lead, but that men should step up. And as the physically stronger vessel, be the leaders and protectors. I personally am thankful that I can strive for the Lord with many other gifts at my disposal.
Judges 4