ADVENTURES OF DEBORAH: THE DELIVERER
(Message by Tanny Keng)
1. Adventures Of Deborah
a) In the time of the Conquest of Canaan, the Israelites were ruled from time to time, and in various places, by judges. First we will look at the time of the six judges after Joshua, and later the other six judges who led up to the time of Samuel. Deborah was the fourth judge to rule Israel.
b) The "sons of Israel yet again did evil in the sight of the LORD... and the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan... and the commander of his army was Sisera... he had nine hundred iron chariots, and he oppressed the sons of Israel severely for twenty years" (Judges 4:1-3). Here enters "Deborah a prophetess" who "was judging Israel at that time" (Judges 4:4-5). Judges 4 tells her story, and Judges 5 her song.
2. The Deliverer
a) Deborah sings her victory song with Barak. First she gives praise to the LORD (Judges 5:3). Later she acknowledges the commanders and their armies (Judges 5:9,12). She also praises Jael (Judges 5:24-26). But she also honestly acknowledges herself in a special way: "Village life ceased, ceased in Israel, until I, Deborah, arose, until I arose a mother in Israel" (Judges 5:7).
b) Deborah's description of herself as "a mother in Israel" shows her understanding of her leadership. She did not aspire to be a queen. Queens lead their subjects from a throne. Deborah led hers beneath a palm tree. She led them as a mother leads her children, and arguably mothers are greater leaders than queens. We think of motherhood as something beautiful and benign. But mothers will protect their children, and risk death and wreak death to do so. This did Deborah in the power of the LORD. This "mother in Israel" delivered her “children” from the hand of the oppressor by her faith, courage, intelligence, and strength.
The End ...
1. Adventures Of Deboraha) In the time of the Conquest of Canaan, the Israelites were ruled from time to time, and in various places, by judges. First we will look at the time of the six judges after Joshua, and later the other six judges who led up to the time of Samuel. Deborah was the fourth judge to rule Israel.
b) The "sons of Israel yet again did evil in the sight of the LORD... and the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan... and the commander of his army was Sisera... he had nine hundred iron chariots, and he oppressed the sons of Israel severely for twenty years" (Judges 4:1-3). Here enters "Deborah a prophetess" who "was judging Israel at that time" (Judges 4:4-5). Judges 4 tells her story, and Judges 5 her song.
2. The Deliverer
a) Deborah sings her victory song with Barak. First she gives praise to the LORD (Judges 5:3). Later she acknowledges the commanders and their armies (Judges 5:9,12). She also praises Jael (Judges 5:24-26). But she also honestly acknowledges herself in a special way: "Village life ceased, ceased in Israel, until I, Deborah, arose, until I arose a mother in Israel" (Judges 5:7).
b) Deborah's description of herself as "a mother in Israel" shows her understanding of her leadership. She did not aspire to be a queen. Queens lead their subjects from a throne. Deborah led hers beneath a palm tree. She led them as a mother leads her children, and arguably mothers are greater leaders than queens. We think of motherhood as something beautiful and benign. But mothers will protect their children, and risk death and wreak death to do so. This did Deborah in the power of the LORD. This "mother in Israel" delivered her “children” from the hand of the oppressor by her faith, courage, intelligence, and strength.
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