Judges 3:7-5:31
Straightaway we see the cycle from yesterday’s reading play out, first with Othniel (Judges 3:7-11), then Ehud (Judges 3:12-30), and Shamgar (though in very abbreviated fashion! Judges 3:31). Then we come to the story of Deborah. The mention of a woman in leadership should immediately wake us up, since that is clearly not the norm in the Biblical narrative. We should, in fact, be a bit shocked — not shocked that a woman can lead or that she can demonstrate courage and faith (of course she can!), but shocked at the absence of a man. In other words, Deborah’s story is simultaneously an extolling of her faith and a rebuke of the lack of faith in the men of her time. And so Deborah says to Barak, “The road on which you are going will not lead to your glory, for the LORD will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman” (Judges 4:9), referring to yet another woman, Jael, who kills Sisera by driving a tent peg through his temple. (Judges 4:17-22)
Barak, at least, answers Deborah’s call and leads the battle against Sisera — but only with assurance from Deborah that she will come along. Many more men likewise join in, men from Ephraim, Benjamin, Machir (i.e., Manasseh), Zebulun, Issachar, and Naphtali. But others, from Reuben, Gilead (i.e., Gad), Dan, and Asher, stay home. (Judges 5:15-17)
So where are you in the story? Are you there alongside Deborah calling for faith in the LORD and calling for action? Are you like Barak, responding to that call, perhaps a bit reluctantly, but still stepping forth in faith and in leadership? Are you a soldier in the army, offering [yourself] willingly (Jg. 5:2) in the battle? Or are you one staying home, perhaps with great searchings of heart (Jg. 5:15)?
Let the LORD speak to you through these stories and these characters. Let Him show you yourself. But even more, let Him show you Himself.