Paul wrote to Philemon about Onesimus and had this to say: “Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.” (1) You see, Onesimus was a thief and a runaway slave. He fled to escape sure punishment because he had stolen from his owner Philemon. And it just so happened he ran into Paul in Rome. And what do you know—Onesimus became a believer! A changed man and a help to Paul! As a matter of fact, Onesimus had become so valuable that Paul told Philemon this: “I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel.” (2)

But instead of keeping him, Paul announced, “I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you.” (3) Hmm. 🤔 I wonder how Onesimus felt about this. Going back to his previous owner . . . after having stolen from him . . . after having run away from him. Surely he felt nervous about it, maybe even fearful. Why would Paul do this? Why not just exonerate him and let him stay and serve the Lord there in Rome? Why not write to Philemon to let him know of his conversion, to offer payment for whatever he stole (which he does!)—but to keep him there where he had become useful in Paul’s ministry? Philemon had plenty of other slaves; he was a wealthy man and certainly did not need him back. So why send him back?

Because we cannot run away from our past. Because our past follows us. It can haunt us. It can impede our going forward. And we need to make restitution. All true—but not Paul’s reasoning. It’s about relationships—people who serve us and people whom we serve. Paul explains it in Colossians, the city where Philemon lived and held church meetings in his large house. To slaves he writes: “Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.” (4) Onesimus had to go back because he was Philemon’s slave, his property. No matter that he was now a follower of Jesus and becoming useful in ministry—he had to return to his rightful owner and be prepared to serve the Lord as a slave. It was a matter of obedience.

But Paul also gave Philemon instructions as well: “Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.” (5) The idea is that slaves have masters and masters have masters and all of us have the same Lord: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” (6) Paul encouraged Philemon to treat Onesimus “no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.” (7) It was a matter of grace.

So, did he? Did Philemon forgive him and release him as a slave? We don’t know for sure but I think he probably did. Paul was quite sure he would because he wrote “Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.” (8)

The truth is we followers of Christ are all useless sinners saved by grace who long to become useful in service to God. Therefore, when given the opportunity to be gracious and help someone become useful, we should. How wonderful it is to become useful. And by the way, the name Onesimus actually means useful! 😀 So by the grace of God and the grace of Paul and probably the grace of Philemon, Onesimus lived up to his name and became useful. 😄

1) Philemon v.11    2) Philemon v.13    3) Philemon v.12     4) Colossians 3:22    5) Colossians 4:1    6) Colossians 3:23    7) Philemon v.16    8) Philemon v.21

The book of Judges notes that Ehud was “a left-handed man” (1) and King “Eglon was a very fat man.” (2) Hmm. 🤔 These are strange details to note in scripture, don’t you think? 🧐 But as a writer, I know that if an author points out something incidental early in the story, it isn’t . . . incidental.  Therefore, as I read these seemingly minor notations, I am officially on alert that these facts will be utterly important.  Let’s see if my writer’s intuition is correct! 🤓

Ehud enters our story when “the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord.” (3) King Eglon had been ruling (oppressing) the Israelites for 18 years when Ehud came to the king with a gift. Of course, the soldiers searched everyone who approached the king, looking for weapons. They were especially attentive to a man’s left thigh, where a sword would be bound. Being left-handed, however, Ehud hid his sword “on his right thigh under his clothes.” (4) He slipped into the presence of the king armed. So the incidental detail that Ehud was left-handed is quite important in this story.  

Let’s move on to the random mention of King Eglon’s fatness. Once alone with the king, “Ehud said, ‘I have a message from God for you.’ And he arose from his seat. And Ehud reached with his left hand, took the sword from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly. And the hilt also went in after the blade, and the fat closed over the blade, for he did not pull the sword out of his belly; and the dung came out. Then Ehud went out into the porch and closed the doors of the roof chamber behind him and locked them.” (5)

Okay . . . but how does the king’s obesity really make a difference in this scene? Read on. 😏 “When he had gone, the servants came, and when they saw that the doors of the roof chamber were locked, they thought, ‘Surely he is relieving himself in the closet of the cool chamber.’ And they waited till they were embarrassed. But when he still did not open the doors of the roof chamber, they took the key and opened them, and there lay their lord dead on the floor.” (6)

You see, Ehud was able to bury his sword in the king’s fat belly so that when the attendants finally came in, they did not even see that their king had been assassinated. They saw him on the floor, saw no weapon, saw no blood, but instead saw excrement—all because “the fat closed over the blade” (7) and they paused . . . and pondered what to do. And “Ehud escaped while they delayed.” (8)  So the incidental detail of King Eglon’s excessive weight was quite important in this story. And with the king dead, the Israelites followed Ehud into a great battle “and they killed at that time about 10,000 of the Moabites.” (9)

What’s the point to this dark comedy? Being overweight is dangerous? True—but not the point. Left-handed people are clever? Possibly—but not the point.

The point is this: there is no such thing as an incidental detail. There is nothing minor or irrelevant or random in our lives. There is no inconsequential item, no frivolous feature, no insignificant thing that God cannot use to accomplish his purpose. As a matter of fact, the incidental details in our lives are where God does his greatest work! So, am I saying that Ehud’s left-handedness and Eglon’s obesity was part of the master plan? Yes. 😏 Yes, it was. We do not give God enough credit. His purpose for us is worked out in the details. He is more powerful than we will ever comprehend. So, perhaps the next time something appears incidental in our lives, we should reconsider that it isn’t . . . incidental.

(1) Judges 3:15    (2) Judges 3:17    (3) Judges 3:12   (4) Judges 3:16    (5) Judges 3:20-23   (6) Judges 3:24-25   (7) Judges 3:22    (8) Judges 3:26    (9) Judges 3:29

First there was Moses to lead the Israelites. Then there was Joshua. After Joshua died, however, “the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord.” (1) The Israelites “abandoned the Lord, the God of their Fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt. They went after other gods, from among the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed down to them.” (2) “So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he gave them over to plunderers, who plundered them.” (3) “And they were in terrible distress.” (4) “Then the Lord raised up judges, who saved them out of the hand of those who plundered them.” (5) 

There appears to be a total of 12-15 judges—depending on whom you read 😕—before Saul would be crowned as the first king. Some of the judges were good and some were evil but they all acted as rulers of their nation, even while living under the reign of pagan kings. The judges of Israel settled disputes, offered advice, led in military battles, and the godly ones guided them spiritually as well.

Enter Deborah—the only female judge, and one who was also a prophetess—one of 7-10 female prophets, depending on whom you read 😕. She was a renaissance woman: wife, prophet, judge, warrior, singer, songwriter. I imagine her life as something like this. She rose early to walk her cat and dog and spend time reading scripture and praying, returned to fix breakfast for her husband Lappidoth and tidied up the house a bit before leaving for the office, which was located at the palm of Deborah. There she spent hours settling disputes, counseling families, and handling civic affairs. Later in the afternoon, she met with her military advisors. Then around sunset, she returned home to cook the evening meal and spend time with Lappidoth. After that, she probably studied scripture, wrote poetry and songs and played her guitar. 😬 Well . . . probably not a guitar but maybe the lute or harp or tambourine. On the Sabbath as the Israelites gathered for worship, she proclaimed God’s message to the people, exhorting and correcting them on important matters. And on Tuesdays she took sword lessons. (How else would she know how to lead in that sword battle?) 😏

Granted, that’s all speculation on my part, but that’s how I envision her. I like her. How can you not like Deborah? 🤗 Deborah, whose name I share—though I’m pretty sure it was not intentional on my parents’ part—is my new hero. She was a godly woman. She helped people in their troubles. She fought battles for people.  She boldly proclaimed God’s word to the Israelites, and she led music at the outdoor temple!  After the Israelite victory over the Canannites, Barak and Deborah sang a duet: “Hear, O kings; give ear, O princes; to the Lord I will sing; I will make melody to the Lord, the God of Israel.” (6)

Deborah, whose life is recorded in 55 verses (Judges 4 and 5), was truly a gifted woman: strong and courageous, patient and wise. But my favorite line in her brief biography is her response to Barak’s request that she fight with him. She replied, “I will surely go with you.” (7) There is no better way to lead than to serve. My conclusion about Deborah is this: She encouraged people.

While Deborah was prophet and judge and worship leader of Israel, “the land had rest for forty years.” (8) The Israelites were at rest. How delightful! How pleasant! How pleased God must have been with them. And immediately after Deborah’s reign, we read this: “The people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord . . .” (9) Oh well. 🙄 Here we go again!  

(1)   Judges 2:11    (2) Judges 2:12    (3) Judges 2:14     (4) Judges 2:15     (5) Judges 2:16    (6) Judges 5:3   (7) Judges 4:9   (8)   Judges 5:31    (9) Judges 6:1

The Israelites battled the mighty Canaanites and beat them handily. What a great victory!! And here’s the back story. General Sisera, the commander of the Canaanite army, gave the order for his 900 chariots to advance, watched them sink in the mud of the Kishon River, witnessed Barak attack his soldiers . . . and then quietly ran away. That’s right. He ran. “Sisera fled away on foot to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite” (1) —a friend of King Jabin’s. The great general turned coward, left in the heat of the battle, sought shelter and safety while his troops fought bravely and sacrificed their lives for him. 😦

Wow. 😯 Not exactly what I was expecting.  So, what happened next? Jael invited him into her house and told him not to be afraid. She covered him (hid him) with a rug and he asked for a drink. And then he told her, “Stand at the opening of the tent, and if any man comes and asks you, ‘Is anyone here?’ say, ‘No.’” (2)

Wow. 😯 Not exactly what I was expecting. I guess Sisera knew Barak would come searching for him but he felt safe for the moment because he was so tired he fell asleep under the covers. So what happened next? “Jael the wife of Heber took a tent peg, and took a hammer in her hand. Then she went softly to him and drove the peg into his temple until it went down into the ground while he was lying fast asleep from weariness. So he died.” (3) 😮  

Wow!! 😯 Not exactly what I was expecting! But then, to be honest, I have never been in a real war. I have never had to face my enemy and kill him knowing that it was him or me. I am only familiar with spiritual warfare. Here’s what I know about spiritual battles. “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (4) This sounds scarier than an actual war! It is very serious. My question is this? Why would Satan feel inclined to fight me?  Who am I? What threat do I really offer?

And here is my answer. None. No threat at all. Unless. Unless I am working to advance God’s kingdom in this world. And if that’s the case? Watch out! Seriously. Watch out! Because Satan will go to any extreme to make you fall, to make you doubt what you are doing, to cause you to question your calling. He will attack your family, your relationships, your reputation, your health, your finances, your faith—every aspect of your life—in order to hinder and even destroy your “good works, which God prepared in advance for you to do.” (5)

Expect Satan to come after you. And when he does, be as bold as Jael. Be ready. Do not negotiate with Satan. Do not entertain him. “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” (6) As long as we continue to share God’s love with people, these schemes will be cunning and powerful and never-ending.

So. Here’s the thing. If you are not occasionally fighting spiritual battles, then perhaps you are on the wrong side of the war.

Wow. 😯 Not exactly what I was expecting!

1) Judges 4:17      2) Judges 4:20    3) Judges 4:21    4) Ephesians 6:12    5) Ephesians 2:10    6) Ephesians 6:10

Barak and Deborah led the Israelites into battle against a powerful Canaanite force that was armed and ready! The Canaanites’ main source of power were the 900 chariots, a squadron led by two warriors, an archer and a driver, and drawn by horses. The chariots were covered with armor and heavy metal, seemingly impenetrable.  The Israelite army, on the other hand, was composed of individual tribes, not trained in battle, limited to the young warriors. At best they were a weakly fortified infantry. Looking at his opponent, General Sisera was probably emboldened. He might have laughed. 😄 But Deborah was patient. She waited.

God had told Barak, “I will draw out Sisera, the general of Jabin’s army, to meet you by the river Kishon with his chariots and his troops, and I will give him into your hand.” (1)  What Deborah knew was that the Kishon River, although generally dry in the summer, during the rainy season, became a mighty rushing flood that would sweep away everything in its path. So, Deborah just waited for the rain to come. And it did: “the earth trembled and the heavens dropped, yes, the clouds dropped water.” (2) And “the torrent Kishon swept them away, the ancient torrent, the torrent Kishon.” (3)

Imagine the scene: Chariots were enveloped in mud. Skittish horses panicked against the rain and the rising river. Soldiers were thrown from the buggies. Chaos ensued. Those who did not drown were met with the Israelites’ swords. Deborah waited for that moment, turned to Barak, smiled, and nodded.  With Deborah by his side, “Barak pursued the chariots and the army to Harosheth-hagoyim, and all the army of Sisera fell by the edge of the sword; not a man was left.” (4) Not a man! General Sisera’s army had more fire power, more men, more training, and more experience. They should have won. Easily. 😯

And that’s exactly the kind of fight God loves to be engaged in—where we are clearly the underdog. As we face our own battles, we need to remember “The Lord himself goes before you.” (5) It was no coincidence that Sisera went to the river; God prompted him. (There are no coincidences in life for God’s children!) As David perfectly penned: “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” (6)

The most important element in this battle? The timing—waiting on the rain. And the most important element in the battles in our lives? The timing—waiting on God. We are often impatient, rush ahead, or give up entirely. But trust develops while we wait. As a matter of fact, while we wait is the only place trust occurs “for who hopes for what he sees?” (7) So, as we face the day with all its hurdles, remember to “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” (8) Deborah was patient. She waited. And won. 🙂

(1) Judges 4:7    (2) Judges 5:4    (3) Judges 5:21    (4) Judges 4:16    (5) Deuteronomy 31:8    (6) Psalm 20:7-8    ( 7) Romans 8:24     (8) Psalm 27:14)

When Barak asked Deborah to assist him in leading the battle against General Sisera, she told him this: “I will surely go with you. Nevertheless, the road on which you are going will not lead to your glory, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.” (1) And the next thing we read is Barak calling for his men to follow Deborah and him into battle. Hmm. 🤔 This means that Barak was okay to share the glory. With a woman. 😮 Good for him!

Are we okay to share the glory as well? It’s hard sometimes. We love to take the credit, bask in the glory, receive the accolades, the compliments, the applause, the certificate of achievement, or perhaps even a medal! But as we are practicing our victory dances (think football 🏈), maybe we should consider all the people involved in the win. It is never one man’s (or woman’s) victory.  Barak gathered his 10,000 men and stood ready to face General Sisera’s thousands along with his 900 chariots of iron!  It must have been a daunting sight! But at just the right moment Deborah turned to Barak and said, “Up! For this is the day in which the Lord has given Sisera into your hand.” (2) These are good words to live by: “Up! For this is the day.”

Our job when going into battle is to first, be prepared, and then second, to go when prompted. I wonder if Barak hesitated a bit because the next thing Deborah says is this: “Does not the Lord go out before you?” (2) Let’s pause, too. This is my favorite thing about God. (Is it alright to have favorite things about God?) He goes before us. He gets things ready for our arrival.  I cannot quote Deuteronomy 31:8 enough: “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (3) The verse covers everything we need for the battles we face in life. God is waiting for us as we enter battle. He will be with us in the battle. He will never leave us during the battle. He will never give up on us as we battle. There is nothing to fear. There is nothing to be discouraged about. God is with us. All. The. Time.

And . . . 😀 God is preparing a dinner in our honor: “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” (4) Not only is victory promised, but a celebration is also being planned. I think what we need to do in times of battle is look forward to the after party! That’s why James confidently writes “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” (5) The battles are tests but the reward is steadfastness—which will flesh itself out as patience, hopefulness, endurance, perseverance, and strength. But this will only happen if we “let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (6) The full effect of steadfastness is to feel strong after a big battle. Strong, rather than exhausted. Strong, rather than weary. Strong, rather than drained. The battles make us strong!

You know what I think? I think Deborah was excited about the battle! She told Barak “Up! For this is the day!” She “counted it all joy!”  How can you not like Deborah? 😁

(1) Judges 4:9    (2) Judges 4:14   (3) Deuteronomy 31:8    (4) Psalm 23:5    (5) James 1:2-3     (6) James 1:4 

When Barak told Deborah that he would not accept his mission without her assistance, she rallied to the opportunity. Good for her! She did not hesitate. She was not afraid because she knew God had promised them victory. But you know what? The victory was not magical.  They would still have to fight! There would be battles and pain and, well, warfare! Which is hard and dangerous and scary.

Battles, spiritual and physical ones, require preparation knowing that there is the distinct possibility we could be wounded in the process. We often make the mistake of walking into a battle totally unarmed, believing that God will give us the victory and protect us from harm.  And if God has promised victory, then we will be victorious! However. However . . . if we are unarmed, we will be wounded. 😯

God has given us armor for these spiritual battles, and Paul lists the pieces of that armor in his letter to the Ephesians. Our defensive weapons are truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation. Our offensive weapons are the Word of God and prayer. Most of us readily go to offense because it’s where we are in control, where we score points. (Think basketball. 🏀) We study God’s Word, recite scripture, and pray about the battle. Those are “go to” weapons: things we can do. But I think defense is as important as offense, if not more. (Think basketball. 🏀)

The enemies we face are smart and powerful. If all we do is use our offensive weapons, we will probably be beaten up a bit. We should expect to be shot at. (Think basketball. 🏀)  And note this: the devil knows our weaknesses. He has studied our film!  And he knows scripture! He quoted it at Jesus!  We need to defend ourselves when we are attacked. And the enemy will target our hearts. Therefore, we must guard our hearts. How do we do that? With our defensive weapons. (Think basketball. 🏀)   

Although it is not listed first, I believe faith is the most important defensive weapon. Paul describes it as a shield. “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.” (1) So, with our analogy of basketball, our opponent (Satan) is throwing up his ball and trying to score points on our goal (our heart). What we have to do is block his shots. That’s where the shield comes in. More than anything else, Satan wants to destroy, or at least chip away at, our faith—our trust in God. Our shield (faith) will keep the shots from hitting his goal.

But our shield (faith) must be strong. Faith is nothing less than absolute trust that God is our ultimate protector. Faith is something we must exercise. It only grows stronger when it is tested. (Think basketball. 🏀)  James writes that we should “consider it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds for the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” (2)

So our faith, which is “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen,” (3) is our greatest defensive weapon. If we go into battle without it, we will be hit so many times that we will probably be defeated—in life and in basketball. It is essential that we heed Paul’s words: “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” (4) And holding out the shield of faith will cause the darts of Satan to miss the goal (our hearts) and possibly be the reason we win the game . . . I mean, the battle.😬 (I watch a lot of basketball.) 

(1) Ephesians 6:16      (2) James 1:2     (3) Hebrews 11:1      (4) Ephesians 6:11

What was Barak’s response to Deborah when she asked him why he had not responded to God’s command to fight Jabin’s army?  “If you will go with me, I will go, but if you will not go with me, I will not go.” (1) He was afraid. (I knew it.😏) Wow. Really? 😟 However . . . I’m pretty sure I have said those words, too. Barak needed support. I get that. It is difficult for us to venture out on our own. Moses did not like the idea either. Back in his day, he pleaded with God to send someone else to rescue the Israelites, so finally God let his brother come along with him. Barak knew Jabin’s army was powerful. General Sisera was intimidating. Israel had been living under their oppression for 20 years. He did not want to tackle this mission by himself.

But. 🤨 But . . . God told Barak “I will give him into your hand.” (2) Did he not hear that part? Success was guaranteed! He would be an automatic hero! Why would he hesitate? Only one reason: he did not believe God. And this is the real issue—not fear, not failure, not fear of failure. He did not have faith in God. He did not believe that God really understood what was involved here.

And this is the recurring problem for all of us. God gives us a mission and we mistakenly believe that God might have erred. That he really does not know what he is talking about. And there are so many reasons to believe this: We are unqualified. We are weak. We are insecure. We will make mistakes. The enemy is stronger than we are. So when God persists—which he often does—we sometimes reluctantly comply with the condition that someone else come along with us. And I guess that’s okay. It is more fun with someone else on the journey—not to mention less scary. I think God understands our frailty.  Barak solicited Deborah’s help.

Her response? “I will surely go with you.” (3) She is glad to help. Actually, I think she is psyched about it! Sure, I’ll go! 😀 Add to her list of accomplishments: Warrior. (I really like her.) Deborah seems to be fearless—which is what we are all supposed to be. She is heeding David’s advice: “Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed.” (4)

Why can’t we? Be strong and courageous. We can. Really. It’s possible. But how does that happen? Simple. We trust in God, not ourselves. “Some men trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright.” (5) We tend to overthink, to despair, to question, to hesitate, to ponder, to calculate. 😟  I think when it comes to our mission in life, we are simply to “rise and stand upright.” (6) God commanded Barak to “Go, gather your men.” (7) We need to do what David (and Nike😉) said: Just “do it.” (4) And have faith that God is who he says he is and will do what he says he will do.

(1) Judges 4:8    (2) Judges 4:7    (3) Judges 4:9    (4) 1 Chronicles 28:20    (5) Psalm 20:7-8    (6) Psalm 20:8    (7) Judges 4:6  

King Jabin “had 900 chariots of iron and he oppressed the people of Israel cruelly for twenty years.” (1)  Of course, it was the Israelites’ choice—to be under his rule. That is to say that even though once upon a time they said, “Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods,” (2) they did. I daresay that most of our trouble is self-inflicted. But that’s another lesson. Eventually the Israelites realized the error of their ways and “cried out to the Lord for help.” (1) Again. 🙄

Enter Deborah. I don’t know if this woman is really my namesake or not, but let’s just say she is. 😉 The facts are quite sparse. We know that Deborah was married to Lappidoth. We read that she was a prophetess, God’s spokesperson. This meant that she not only worshiped God but God used her to deliver his message. She also acted as a judge for the people. “She used to sit under the palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the people of Israel came up to her for judgment.” (3) I like her. She sounds steady and strong and wise.

God told her to summon a guy named Barak, a military man. She had a question for him: “Has not the Lord, the God of Israel commanded you, ‘Go, gather your men at Mount Tabor, taking 10,000 from the people of Naphtali and the people of Zebulun. And I will draw out Sisera, the general of Jabin’s army, to meet you by the river Kishon with his chariots and his troops, and I will give him into your hand?’” (4)  Hmm. 🤔 So, Barak had already heard from God about this mission. But had not done anything. I think that happens a lot. God tells us to go somewhere or to do something and we do not. Why? There are many reasons but mostly we do nothing because we fear we will fail. 😞

The ironic thing about fear of failure is that our fear causes us to fail because we are paralyzed to even attempt the thing. So failure is not the issue—the issue is our fear. And what does God have to say about fear? “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” (5) Note he does not say, “Do not fail.” We are the ones who put the emphasis on succeeding. God does not command us to succeed. Instead, he repeatedly says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (6)

Where do we read, “Be successful in the Lord”? Nowhere! 😦 Joseph was a successful man. You know why? “The Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.” (7) Joseph’s success was not dependent on Joseph; it was dependent on the Lord being with him. Our successes in life are due to the Lord. Not us.

God did not command Barak to succeed. He commanded Barak to “Go.” (8) I’m pretty sure that’s God’s message to us as well.

What are you waiting for? Go. 🙂

(1) Judges 4:3      (2) Joshua 24:16        (3) Judges 4:5       (4) Judges 4:6-7      (5) Deuteronomy 31:8      (6) Joshua 1:9     (7) Genesis 39:23    (8) Judges 4:6

When Israel was under the crushing rule of Jabin, Deborah decided to fight back. Apparently, Jabin had “oppressed the people of Israel cruelly for twenty years.” (1) But before we go on, I have a few questions. Question #1: Why was Jabin, this cruel man, ruling over Israel? Well . . . as it turns out . . .“The Lord sold them into the hand of Jabin.” (2) Hmm. 🤔 That doesn’t sound right. Question #2: Why would the Lord do that? Well . . . you see, “the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord after Ehud died.” (3) Okay. 🧐 So . . . Question #3: When we are bad, does God make things worse for us? 😦  

Now that’s a good question. And here’s my answer: Yes. 😮 Yes, I believe he does. Not because he is a vengeful God but because when we choose evil, we are rejecting God. And God never forces his way into our lives. So this is a case of God giving the Israelites over—selling them out—so they can live exactly how they want. A life without God. Their choice.

But let’s try to understand the big picture here. Here’s a brief history lesson. The Israelites were chosen to be God’s people. Abraham was their first leader and helped them understand that the gods of other nations were false gods—that there was only one God, Yahweh. The Israelites struggled with the concept, but by the time Moses arrived on the scene God had made himself clearly known and laid down the law (literally!). “You shall have no other gods before me.” (4) Before Moses died, he passed the baton to Joshua, who at the end of his life made this declaration: “Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (5)

The Israelites responded, “We will also serve the Lord, for he is our God.” (6) Yeah! 😀 Good for them! Unfortunately, they made one tiny mistake. They forgot or overlooked or ignored Moses’ instructions regarding Canaan. God told Moses to tell the Israelites  “When you pass over the Jordan into the land of Canaan, then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land. . .” (7) Their error? “When Israel grew strong, they put the Canaanites to forced labor, but did not drive them out completely.” (8) They let the enemy stay.

So? It sounds like they had mercy on them. Instead of killing them or driving them away completely, they put them to work. What’s so wrong with that? 😕 Well . . . did I mention they were the enemy? 🤪 Still . . . what was so bad about letting them stay and work for them? God told them “you shall make no covenant with the inhabitants of this land.” (9) Why is this so important? God knew what would happen: “they shall become thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare to you.” (10)

It is a lesson for all of us. We mistakenly treat our enemies as if they are not. Enemies! Plus, we believe we can handle our enemies. We cannot. They sneak into our lives. They infiltrate our world. They make us weak. They blindside us. And before we know it, we are siding with them, having compassion on them, compromising our values, and soon we are acting just like them. And they are our enemies! Guess what happened? “And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of  the Lord.” (3)

Need I go on? I thought not. 🙄

I promise I will begin our study on Deborah next time . . . or soon thereafter. 😬

(1) Judges 4:3    (2) Judges 4:2   (3) Judges 4:1   (4) Exodus 20:3    (5) Joshua 24:14-15   (6) Joshua 24:18    (7) Numbers 33:50-52     (8) Judges 1:28     (9) Judges 2:2    (10) Judges 2:3