Facing the Giants – Part III

“Deborah was a prophet, the wife of Lappidoth. She was judge over Israel at that time. She held court under Deborah’s Palm between Ramah and Bethel in the hills of Ephraim. The People of Israel went to her in matters of justice.
She sent for Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, “It has become clear that God, the God of Israel, commands you: Go to Mount Tabor and prepare for battle…And I’ll make sure you win the battle.”
Barak said, “If you go with me, I’ll go. But if you don’t go with me, I won’t go.”
She said, “Of course I’ll go with you. But understand that with an attitude like that, there’ll be no glory in it for you. God will use a woman’s hand to take care of Sisera.” Judges 4:4-11 (MSG)

When my daughter told me she was naming her baby Jael – I took exception in my heart. I knew the story of Jael all too well from the book of Judges and I wasn’t sure I wanted my little baby to be a namesake to a woman who could kill a man! However, what my daughter saw in the name, was not the deeds of the predecessor, what drew her to the name, was its’ meaning – God’s servamt.

I named one of my own daughters Deborah because I so admired this Deborah in the book of Judges. During my formative years of growing up in the faith under “old school” doctrines and traditions, women in ministry were not always accepted. I also bought into the belief that maybe women were not the best choice for pastoral ministry – and wondered of the wisdom of women serving in certain roles within the church body – it seemed as if men were better received, even though there were always an abundance of women outnumbering the men (maybe that’s why). One day I hosted my father-in-law’s radio show and someone called in and spoke negatively about women being pastors – and I agreed with them – boy did I catch it from my father-in-law (and needless to say I never hosted his show again!).

I can’t say that experience completely convinced me – nor did it make me want to be a pastor, or run to a woman pastor – but it did put me in remembrance of a day I was on the “L” – (subway) and a man who I didn’t know came up to me and said that I would become a pastor. Naturallly, with my mindset I rejected that and said that he missed God! That was many years ago, but what I want to say today is – I think I missed God. I believed if I understood the ministry gifts effectively I wouldn’t have been so quick to reject that word and I would have sought God more to see if in fact I had a pastoral gift.

What I want to say today is – Deborah, even thousands of years ago – did not reject the gift of God within her and daily she sat under Deborah’s palm and prophesied the word of the Lord. She also served in the ministry of a pastor as she shepherded God’s people – hence Barak coming to her in his time of need. As a result of her obedience – Israel did win victory in battle – only it was not through the hand of Barak – it was through the hand of Jael:

” Meanwhile Sisera, running for his life, headed for the tent of Jael…Jael stepped out to meet Sisera and said, “Come in, sir. Stay here with me. Don’t be afraid.”
So he went with her into her tent. She covered him with a blanket.
He said to her, “Please, a little water. I’m thirsty.”
She opened a bottle of milk, gave him a drink, and then covered him up again.
He then said, “Stand at the tent flap. If anyone comes by and asks you, ‘Is there anyone here?’ tell him, ‘No, not a soul.’”
Then while he was fast asleep from exhaustion, Jael wife of Heber took a tent peg and hammer, tiptoed toward him, and drove the tent peg through his temple and all the way into the ground. He convulsed and died.
Barak arrived in pursuit of Sisera. Jael went out to greet him. She said, “Come, I’ll show you the man you’re looking for.” He went with her and there he was—Sisera, stretched out, dead, with a tent peg through his temple.
On that day God subdued Jabin king of Canaan before the People of Israel. The People of Israel pressed harder and harder on Jabin king of Canaan until there was nothing left of him.” Judges 4: 17-25 (MSG)

Each one of these people were servants of God – Deborah, Barak, and Jael – which one are you?

God Bless You,
Maria