October 2022

Deborah, perhaps one of the greatest, if not the greatest woman of the Old Testament, known for her great courage and faith was a judge and prophetess in Israel for forty years.  She answered the call of God without question or pause.  She was a woman of power and respect in a society and world which was male dominated.  God raised Deborah up as a judge of His people when once again they had forsaken him, turning to idolatry and had been captured by an invading army, King Jaban and the Canaanites.

Very early in the account we are introduced to Sisera, the Captain of the Canaanite army (Jud 4:6).  When called upon to deliver God’s people, Judge Deborah called upon Barak to lead Israel’s army.  Sisera had a force to be reckoned with as he commanded nine hundred chariots.  Barak immediately agreed but only if Deborah would go with him into battle (4:8).  This alone may say something about the degenerative condition of Israelite society, not degenerative in a way which would degrade women, but rather an indictment against male leadership in Israelite society.  Another example and non example would be the tribes which answered the call to arms for God’s people, but negatively as well the tribes who refused the call of Deborah to help God’s people.  It was to be God’s fight, but there were those who refused the call as well as those who answered it.

As the battle ensued, God quickly turned the tide against Sisera in favor of the Israelites.  A torrential rain came in a season of the year which generally sees no rain.  Sisera had commanded his army of chariots down a seemingly dry riverbed.  But when the rains came and winds blew (oops that’s another instance), the chariots became bogged down, the Canaanites panicked and the Israelites were able to gain the victory.  In the meantime Sisera fled and ended up in the house of what he thought was a friend.  However, the woman of the house, Jael, the wife of Heber, recognized Sisera and drove a tent peg through his temple while he slept.  Thus the leader of the invaders was in- sanctimoniously killed by a woman.

After the great victory Deborah and Barak sing a song of thanksgiving and praise to God who was given complete credit for the victory and ultimate deliverance (Jud 6:1-30.  Those who failed to answer the call for help were discredited and cursed as well.  Deborah was indeed a woman of faithful courage and who gave all the glory and honor to God.

The providence of God in the account of Ehud is clearly presented throughout.  Ehud was called by God to deliver His people.  Perhaps you could see the providence of God in the deception of Eglon’s guards, in Ehud’s escape and in the defeat of the Moabite Army?  All of this goes to say we serve a great God.  It is perhaps also noteworthy to realize the Bible says, “And after him was Shamgar” (Jud 3.31).  Shamgar followed the example of Ehud in not having much to work with, but because God was on his side he was able to accomplish great things.

Only one verse in our Bible is dedicated to Shamgar at this juncture.  We learn a little more of his history from the song Deborah sings, “In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied, and the travelers walked through byways” (Jud 5.6).  Shamgar lived in a time when the enemies of Israel were so numerous in the land the Israelites could not even travel openly.

While we are not told how Shamgar was called, we are told he was the son of Anath, which was the name of a Canaanite goddess of war.  His name likely meant “son of battle” or “great warrior.”  We are also given information on the weapon he used to slay six hundred of God’s enemies, the Philistines.  An ox goad was a stick some six to eight feet long, with a shovel type apparatus on one end to clean out the dirt stuck on the plows and on the other end a sharp metal point with which to prod the oxen.

Are you kidding, a shovel and a little pointer to kill six hundred Philistines??  Shamgar was given a task by God.  He did not complain about lack of resources, lack of fire power, lack of assistance, no he simply took the tool he had and followed the command of God and delivered God’s people.  What may seem small in the hands of one, can become mighty in the hands of another who is working with a holy zealousness directed for and toward God.  Shamgar took a simple farmer’s tool and used it for the glory of God.  May we take the tools and talents God gives us and be like Shamgar, always giving God the glory!

Othniel is the first judge chosen by God to deliver His people after eight years of servitude to a foreign king because of the their disobedience and idolatry.  Israel soon forgot the glorious things God had done for them and their nation.  As they move into a period of ease they forsook God and were seduced into lasciviousness and false religion.  The Israelites no longer trembled at the words of God.  They no longer adhered to his laws, statutes and commandments.  As a result they no longer enjoyed the physical and spiritual blessings that came with a close fellowship with him.  They became slaves to the foreign King Chushanrishathaim (Chu-shan-rish-a-tha-im).  Instead of blessings, the children of Israel grew and toiled in the fields only for others to eat their food.  Their homes were taken over by their enemy and they were forced into homelessness in the streets.  Their women and children were forced into slavery, their glory became their shame, their hope gone, their self-confidence destroyed. All of these heartaches because of their own disobedience.

Upon hearing the people’s penitent cry God delivered them by calling upon Othniel (Jud 3.9).  Othniel came from the royal tribe of Judah and was a brother and/or son-in-law, or even perhaps a nephew to the great Caleb (one of the two faithful spies, the other being Joshua).   In either case Othniel was a kinsman to Caleb.  We were first introduced to Othniel when Caleb had promised his daughter (Achsha) to the one who would drive out one of his enemies.  Caleb gave Achsha a blessing and provided for her and her husband Othniel land with springs of water on it.

The inspired writer tells us the “Spirit of the Lord came upon” Othniel (Jud 3.10).  Othniel’s exemplary conduct and character allowed him to become an instrument of God in doing the will of God for His people.  Othniel utilized the talents, given him by God, to turn back the wicked Mesopotamian king Chushanrishathaim who had enslaved them.

After defeating the wicked King, Othniel judged God’s people for forty years and they had rest from war.  Othniel was a great servant for God when God’s people needed a great servant.  His greatness in service can be found in his humility, his willingness to place his talents into the will of God, his choice to refuse to live comfortably for self, and serve God’s people.  Othniel served God and his people.  So too, today, God chooses us to do great things for His kingdom and in our world.  Will we answer God’s call for humble greatness in service like Othniel, the first judge?

Peace through the Storm

There once was a king long ago who sought the perfect picture of peace. So, he announced a contest that he hoped would produce this masterpiece. Each day more and more paintings began flowing into his kingdom from all over the land. Finally, the day of revealing came. One picture after another was revealed. Each picture more beautiful than the last. Despite the increasing beauty the king couldn’t help but feel they hadn’t found that perfect picture yet.

As the veil was lifted off the final entry the crowd gasped in shock and horror. This couldn’t be a picture of peace, their expressions shouted. This painting depicted a raging waterfall cascading down a rocky ledge.  The skyline showed stormy, grey clouds which threatened to explode with lightning and thunder, and in the midst of the chaos- was a tiny tree. It clung to the rocks at the very edge of the waterfall, and resting upon its branch was a little bird. It had built its nest, and there it sat, content and undisturbed. Her eyes were closed, and her wings nestled her little one as she manifested a peace that surpassed all earthly turmoil.

I couldn’t help but think of this story this week as hurricane Ian hit Florida. This hurricane had been accumulating its strength and brought fear and destruction. But as they do, the storm passed. Unfortunately, there’s another storm that’s brewing. It’s one that never gives up. It’s the storm that is constantly at war with out Spirit. The winds and rains of Ian devastated homes, but the world has been devastating our homes long before this.

Isa. 5:20 says “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” The world attacks us with wrong, and tells us it’s right. This attack makes many hesitant or even a little fearful. Mt. 10:28 reads, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

The storm has moved on from Florida. People will rebuild a sense of peace. But finding a sense of peace is not the same as actually having it. The people from the story were shocked when they saw the last picture of peace because they have a misconception of what peace really is. Jesus said in John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

The peace Jesus gives isn’t what people are expecting.  It’s not tranquility here on earth. The peace he offers is everlasting. We are blessed with the mindset to understand and know that when we leave this earth, we have eternal life. The man from the story wanted a picture of peace, but true peace is found in Christ Jesus. Preparation is key There is no peace found in sin, only inevitable death. John 16:33 reads, “These things I have spoke to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Looking unto Jesus

Hebrews 12:2

“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

We find ourselves living in a world that struggles with putting first things first. There’s a struggle to know where to look for answers and we are constantly being pressed to believe the world’s definition of truth- and worldly truth is ever changing. Heb. 13:8 tells us Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever; He never changes, and neither does His wisdom. Today, many find themselves looking to the world (Creation) for answers rather than to God (the Creator). No wonder there is so much confusion and division today. We should be looking to Jesus in everything, for everything, with everything and through everything.

Look to Jesus in everything, “for in Him we live, and move, and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also his offspring’,” (Acts 17:28). Looking to Jesus in everything provides us with security we cannot have in the world. Secure in the only truth that never changes. Those who have obeyed His gospel have blessed assurance. We are His, and we owe Him everything.

Look to Jesus for everything, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (Jas. 1:5). Looking to Jesus, one is able to acquire true wisdom. Earthly wisdom is unspiritual. The fear of the Lord is the starting point of true wisdom. His divine wisdom is pure, peace-loving, gentle, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere (Jas. 3:17)

Look to Jesus with everything, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service” (Rom. 12:1). With everything you have, your reasonable service to God. He sacrificed for us, are we denying self for Him?

Look to Jesus through everything, “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you” (1 Pt. 5:10). We all do, have, and will struggle. He is what gets us through those times. Are we putting God first during ALL times? When we are going through periods of peace and blessings do we put God and our spiritual life FIRST? Or only when things aren’t going the way we want?

Let us put first things first. God is first. God is truth. Don’t forget it. Look to Jesus in everything, for everything, with everything, through everything.

Often a misconception perhaps of the Judges is the idea they served sitting in “judgment” as judges do today.   Based, however, upon a closer reading of the book of judges, this was not the case.  Even the idea that these men served the whole nation of Israel is misguided.  Actually the judges’ influence often was more localized by tribe.  One must remember it was not a united kingdom until the time of Saul, David and Solomon.

The cycle of Israel’s obedience, to being at ease, to worshiping idols, being conquered and enslaved by a foreign king, a cry of repentance and God’s deliverance for them continued after the death of Othniel.  After Othniel’s victory over the Mesopotamian kings Israel had rest for war for forty years.   As is stated over and over in the book of Judges, “the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord” (Jud 3:12—this time).

After eighteen years of Moabite oppression God raised Ehud as a deliverer of his people (Jud 3:15).  Ehud was from the tribe of Benjamin.  The Bible tells us Ehud was left-handed.  Some have interpreted the original language here as either “left-handed,” “ambidextrous,” or even the “right hand bound up as in useless.”  If in fact it is interpreted as the right side being useless, the idea that God does not need the physically strong to accomplish his purpose is a lesson to be drawn from this account.

Through deception and trickery Ehud gained access to the Moab King’s innermost chambers.  Eglon, the Moabite King was a very fat man.  Ehud made his way into the very private chambers of the king; thrust him through with the dagger he had offered as a present.  Eglon, being so fat, his body sucked the knife in and enclosed even the handle.  Ehud locked the door and left Eglon to die.

What a gruesome way to die.  However, just as Ehud was prepared to stab Eglon the King, he reported he had this message from God, whereupon he stabbed him and left.  Ehud then collected an army from the tribes of Israel cutting off the Moabites.   In the valleys of the Jordan River Ehud led the army to a defeat of the mighty men of Moab.  It is important to note Ehud completely gave God the credit for the victory which was to be Israel’s.

The providence of God in this account is certainly throughout.  Ehud was called by God to deliver His people.  Can you see the providence of God in the deception of Eglon’s guards, in Ehud’s escape and in the defeat of the Moabite Army?  We serve a great God.