April 1 - Judges 3:31-6:40

Good morning everyone,

Today we are going to take a look at two more of the 13 judges, remembering that as judges they did not sit and make decisions on infractions of the law, but rather they were individual leaders God assigned with temporary authority to go in and clean up the mess the Israelites had gotten themselves into by disobeying God’s commands. 

In chapter four we have Deborah the only female judge of Israel. She was a wife, a prophetess, a judge (the kind that did make decisions on infractions) who held court under a palm tree, she was able to make the “tough” decision, and she was courageous. Deborah was an ideal role model for all women called to be leaders though it did serve to show that Israel lacked male leadership at they time.

Israel had been under ruthless oppression by King Jabin of Hazor for 20 years. The Canaanite  army had 900 iron chariots which would be like tanks to us, and there was no way the Israelites, by their own power, would ever be able to overcome them. Nevertheless, Deborah told her assistant, Barak, that God wanted him to take ten thousand men and go whoop some Canaanite bum. Now, Barak whether a coward or just in need of support was definitely lacking faith and told Deborah that he would only go if she went with him and of course she did go. God would lead Israel to defeat Jabin, and a song of praise that Deborah and Barak would sing is recorded in chapter five. I love that they took time to praise God. No matter if we are experiencing a dark and troubled time in our lives or if we are riding high in victory we should always be singing praises to God; He most certainly deserves it and the effect on our attitudes is always positive.

In chapter six we read the Israelites, once more, did evil in the eyes of the Lord and for seven years He gave them into the hands of the Midianites. Once more they will cry out to God for deliverance from their oppressor and once more God will come to their aid. Verse 11 makes me smile. The angel of the Lord is just “kickin’ it” in the shade of a mighty oak while Gideon is threshing wheat in a winepress. Let your mind’s eye see that for just a moment. Picture Gideon hard at work, doing what he does day ofter day. Maybe he has his ear buds in (okay maybe not), but he is hard at work and has no idea that a christophany is happening, that Old Testament Jesus is sitting there, perhaps chewing on a strand of wheat, watching him with the eyes of a loving father, proud of the work his boy is doing and then He says to Gidoen, “The Lord is with you mighty warrior.” I can just see Gideon quickly looking around, wondering “who said that?”, seeing the angel of the Lord and then look around for who He is talking to, because really, wouldn’t you?

Gideon is up for the task but is wanting God to provide him with some signs from above to be sure he is really suppose to be doing what he hears God asking Him to. Some would argue he was testing God, but I don’t believe this is the case. Gideon totally worshipped God in a society that was rebellious and wading waist deep in sinful behavior. No, I believe Gideon was being cautious and just wanting some validation, which is not out of line. Today we have the Bible to validate our actions, Gideon did not have that luxury so he asked for signs to know without doubt he was in God’s will. 

Has that ever been you? Life is a never-ending series of choices, decision after decision and I know it’s been me way more than once. God will ask me to do something or I am looking for direction and I wish more than anything God would send a handwritten note that says, in no uncertain terms “DO THIS”, and though doors are often opened for us or slammed in our faces rarely (okay never) do we get that handwritten note from God, right?. We can rest in the promise, though, that if we are in close communication with God He will communicate with us. Jesus tells us in John 10:27, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” So I would encourage you to be in your Bible and on your knees in prayer and listen for that sweet and gentle voice of God because even without a note or sheep skins wet from dew he is talking to you.

I pray you have a super good day, to God be all the glory.

God bless you …