Are You Willing?

I have decided to do a series of Blogs on my favourite passages of scripture.

My first account will be on the story from Judges chapters 4 & 5 on the life of Deborah who was a Judge in Israel. Please let me know what you think and add any of your insights. You may need to read through chapters 4 and 5 of the book of Judges to refresh your memory of her.

It would seem that the men had kind of dropped the bundle at this time in Israel's history as it was not their normal custom to be led by a woman. Deborah was also a prophetess which would be handy when working as a Judge as long as you stayed in tune with God.

Deborah goes to battle with the 'Leaders'
Judges 4:9
So she said, “I will surely go with you; nevertheless there will be no glory for you in the journey you are taking, for the LORD will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.” Then Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh.

Into the hands of a woman........

Judges 4:21
Then Jael, Heber’s wife, took a tent peg and took a hammer in her hand, and went softly to him and drove the peg into his temple, and it went down into the ground; for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died.

So note not only do we have Deborah as Judge/Prophetess of Israel we have Jael, Heber's wife killing the leader of the enemy - How would you feel about having to do that?

It appears then that when men and women get together with a heart to serve the Lord in whatever combination of hierarchy God will bless them, if that is what He has asked them to do.

Deborah goes on to say, in chapter 5, who is and is not with them in the battle. The list of distractions include - Cults, Dead Religion, Philosophy, Fear, Materialism and Worldly Pleasure. Things have not changed that much eh?

On the positive side the list is interesting also - Rulers, Recruiters, Leaders, Heroes, Front Line People go into the battle with Deborah.

The two passages of scripture I love out of this account are...

Judges 5:2
“When leaders lead in Israel,
When the people willingly offer themselves,
Bless the LORD!

Judges 5:9
My heart is with the rulers of Israel
Who offered themselves willingly with the people.
Bless the LORD!

God help us to be those people who willingly offer ourselves.....

The World Needs Your Footprints

Love Jen