Readings for today: Judges 4-5, Psalms 71
Last Friday was International Women’s Day. A day dedicated to celebrating the global and historical achievements of women from every family, clan, tribe, and nation all over the earth. I found myself reflecting on the influence of the many women in my life. My wife and daughters. My mother and mother-in-law. Women in my family tree who sacrificed so much to serve our family over the generations. I thought of the women I have the privilege of working alongside. Women who serve as elders and leaders in our church family. Their contributions to our life together simply cannot be measured. And I know I certainly would not be the man I am today without the incredible impact of these women in my life. They are modern-day versions of Deborah who we read about in the chapters for today.
Deborah was the spiritual and political leader of Israel. She was filled with God’s Spirit and set apart as judge over all Israel. She led during a time of great uncertainty. Israel was not yet established in the Promised Land. She was surrounded by enemies on all sides. She was at war with King Jabin of the Canaanites. Deborah was a woman of great faith and courage. She commanded Barak, the military leader of Israel at the time, to fight to deliver God’s people but he refused to go into battle unless she went with him. This story echoes some of what we saw when Moses led Israel into battle. When he raised his arms and Israel could see him, they won. When he sat down and they couldn’t see him, they lost heart and would begin to retreat. It seems Deborah’s leadership had a similar effect. Not only that but once the battle was joined and the Canaanites fled, God used a second woman named Jael to kill Sisera, the Canaanite general, and bring an end to Israel’s oppression.
Over the years, I’ve met some Christians who try to downplay Deborah’s leadership. They talk about the abdication of Barak and other male leaders in Israel but the text never indicates this is the case. In fact, it presents Deborah’s leadership as normative. Just another in a long line of judges who led Israel during a chaotic, tumultuous period in her history when she had a tendency to do what was right in her own eyes rather than follow the Lord. In fact, when one compares Deborah to the judges who come after her, one can easily conclude her godly leadership surpasses them all.
As sinful human beings, we can get so caught up in who holds the power. Who holds the authority in a relationship. Is it the man or the woman? Is it the husband or the wife? Is it the parent or the child? Is it the employer or the employee? Is it the pastor or the elders? Is it the denomination or the church? All of it, frankly, is nonsense. There is only One who holds all authority in heaven and on earth. There is only One who holds the keys to Death and Hades in His hands. And He chooses to use whomever He wills to accomplish His purposes on the earth. Over time, He has used any number of powerful women in extraordinary ways and we are blessed beyond measure by their courage and faithfulness.
Readings for tomorrow: Judges 6-8, Psalms 72