DEBORAH: WARRIOR AND JUDGE

The Lord had constant trouble with His people as they "sinned in His eyes," the worship of other gods. So, in the third period of the judges, The Lord sold them into the hands of Jaban, a king of Canaan.  Now, Jaban's army was commanded by Sisera, who had nine-hundred chariots.  This Sisera had cruelly oppressed the Israelites for twenty years, and the Israelites cried out to the Lord for help.  Would the Lord help them, those who sinned against Him?  Would He help those whom He had just given  to those who were oppressing them? Who would God protect in this situation?


Now, in these days, the protector of the Israelites was a Judge named Deborah.  After prayer, she took charge as God directed and sent Barak down to Mt. Tabor, to be followed by ten thousand men.
At Barak's advance, the Lord routed Sisera and all his chariots, but then Sisera fled on foot!  Barak pursued the chariots and the main army until there was not a man left.


Now, the enemy, Sisera, ran to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, because there were friendly relations between Jabin King of Hazor and the clan of Heber the Kenite.  Jael went out to meet Sisera and said to him, "Come my Lord, come right in.  Don't be afraid." So, he went in where he lay down,  was covered, and given a drink while Jael was asked to stand in the doorway of the tent to watch for the army.


But Jael did not watch at the tent's door, and when Sisera was asleep she took a tent peg and a hammer and went quietly to his side where he slept, exhausted. Picking up the hammer and putting the peg at his temple, she drove the peg through his temple until he was dead.


On that day, God subdued Jabin the Canaanite king, along with his commander, Sisera.  And the hand of the Israelites grew stronger day by day, as they called upon the Lord.


Study/  "Even though her husband, Heber, was loyal to Sisera's forces, Jael  was not. Because women of that day were in charge of pitching the tents, Jael had no problem driving the tent peg into Sisera's head while he slept.  Deborah had predicted that a woman would have the honor of  stopping Sisera that day.


In victory, Barak, the army's leader, and Deborah sang praises to God.  Songs of praise focus our attention on God, give us an outlet for spiritual celebration, and remind us of God's faithfulness and character.  Whether you are experiencing a great victory or a major dilemma, singing praises to God can have a positive effect  on your attitude."


I like this story of Deborah and Jael, proving that women can serve God in  various ways.  I'm not sure I could do as Jael did, but I take my hat off to her, just the same.  I am touched by the study's reminder of singing praises to God.  I admit I love the more common church service where you can clap to the music as led, or sing out strong when you must.  Our church has a variety of services, and each one seems to have God's Spirit singing with joyful abundance. I love it!  We have as many women pastors as we do men; also, all good people and great leaders. I love Sundays!