Archive for the ‘Leadership’ category

Fearless Jael

August 12th, 2008

The other hero in the story of Deborah is Jael. She was a Kenite, a nation of people who had a good relationship with the Israelites. However, her nationality allowed her to gain the trust of Sisera as well, enough that he was willing to hide in her tent while fleeing the Isrealites. I kind of think of the Kenites as the Switzerland of tribal nations.

As the Lord gives Barak victory over the enemy, their “fearless” leader runs away. As his army is annihilated, he runs for cover. This tells us something about his poor leadership qualities. Real leaders stand with their people no matter what; they don’t run when there is trouble. It makes me think about my leadership duty to my children. Am I standing with them no matter the circumstance, or do I run away from problems and let them fend for themselves? Am I proactively leading them in the Truth of the Gospel, or waiting until problems arise and then trying to figure out an answer?

So as the sissy Sisera runs away, Jael sees him and calls out to him to come into her tent. She told him “Do not be afraid,” and since they were allies, he agrees to hide in her tent. Judges 5:25 says “
He asked water and she gave him milk; she brought him curds in a noble’s bowl.” She shows him honor by giving him milk. He trusts her and asks her to tell people that he is not there. He trusts her so much that he falls asleep under her rug and she sneaks over to him and drives a tent peg into his head with a hammer. She literally nailed him to the ground.

As Barak is pursuing Sisera, he passes by Jael’s tent and she stops him, and tells him that Sisera is in her tent. Barak then sees Sisera nailed to the ground, and sees the prophecy of Deborah fulfilled.

I don’t know how often I can be used of the Lord like Jael was. For you and I to be walking with the Spirit in such a way that we would have no fear of man is hard to imagine, yet is possible. If you feel the Lord calling you to do something, whether you are a man or a woman, we should be faithful to do it. Our fear of God should overcome our fear of man.

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Posted in Deborah, Leadership, Women

Jepthah: A Man of Great Faith?

July 30th, 2008

In Sunday School we have been studying faith, which has involved study of Hebrews 11. I was reading through the passage and in verse 32 I see the name Jepthah listed as a man of great faith. I’m embarrassed to say that the story of Jepthah did not leap into my mind, so off I went to Judges 11 to read his story. I figure if he is listed among those of great faith then I needed to read his story with close attention.

Once I got to Judges 11 I remember the story as the “guy who vowed to give the 1st thing that came out of his house as a sacrifice to the Lord.” Isn’t that such a typical Sunday School answer? There is so much more there.

First of all, I did not realize that Jepthah was a mighty warriror, I also did not realize that he was the son of a prostitute. Because of his mother, he is treated poorly by his half brothers and eventually exiled from his family completely. They looked down on him because of his mother, and would not share their father’s inheritance with him. They send him away to Tob. At this point in the story I already start to feel some conviction. I was forced to inspect my own prejudices. Are there people I look down on for reasons they cannot even help? I know I have had instant thoughts about people based solely on who their parents are or where they have been. It’s not right or Christ-like, I’m thankful that this story brought this issue into the forefront of my mind.

So after his brothers treat him cruelly, the Ammonites begin to make war against Israel, and the elders of Gilead want the strong warrior Jepthah to come back and help them. He is skeptical at first, and I can’t say that I blame him. He makes them swear before the Lord that if they are delivered from the Ammonites that they will make him their head, and the elders of Gilead agree. Jepthah then begins to correspond with the Ammonites in hope of creating peace between the two countries.

After some ineffective correspondence with the Ammonites verse 29 it tells us that “the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jepthah” and in verse 30-31 we see Jepthah’s tragic vow “If You will indeed give the Ammonites into my hand, Then whatever or whoever comes forth from the doors of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the Ammonites, it shall be the Lord’s, and I will offer it or him up as a burnt offering.” This is where I have some questions with my Sunday School answer. I remember being taught that he made “an ill-advised vow”, or that he “should have thought more carefully about his vow” but now I’m wondering if that is the point of the story. I’m hoping some of you will have an opinion and share it with me, and I’ll add some of the ideas into the conclusion of this piece.

Where is his great faith shown in this story?

If the Spirit of the Lord was upon him, could he have been led by the Spirit to make this vow?

Does his vow show a lack of faith? Should he have just trusted the Lord to give him the Ammonites without offering something to God?

I appreciate any feedback on this story!

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Posted in Bible Study, Faith, Jepthah, Leadership

Deborah: God’s Choice for Leadership

July 14th, 2008

There are times when the Lord chooses to use women in positions of leadership to accomplish His will.

We find Deborah in the days when judges ruled Israel. After the death of Joshua the people of Israel turn to wickedness. They worship false gods and turn their back on God and His commandments. Consequently the Lord gives the people to foreign lands and nations because of their sin “Then the LORD raised up judges, who saved them out of the hand of those who plundered them… Whenever the LORD raised up judges for them, the LORD was with the judge, and he saved them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge.” ( Judges 2:11-16)We see the Lord work through the judges He chose to use to answer the prayers of His people.

In Judges 4 we see the oppressive enemy of Israel, Jabin of Canaan. During this period, Deborah was the judge in Israel. The Bible tells us that she was a prophetess and that she was married to a man named Lappidoth. It is interesting to me that the Bible does not tell us what her husband did, or if he had any part in ministry or politics at all. This was her specific calling and task. I have read and heard other people state that the reason God used Deborah was because there weren’t any good men. That theory just does not hold water for me. If the Lord specifically chose whom to lift up as the leader, He could have given power to a man. God chose Deborah because He wanted her for this task.

As the story progresses, she sends for Barak. She is aware of what God has called him to do, yet he is hesitant and fearful. After all, Jabin and Sisera were cruel and evil enemies, it was natural to fear them. However, Barak’s faith in God was weak, and he makes a deal with Deborah that he will obey God if she will go with him. I’m convicted when I read this. I think I could have been like Barak; even though the Lord’s command to him was clear “Go, gather your men at Mount Tabor, taking 10,000 men from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun? And I will draw out Sisera, the general of Jabin’s army, to meet you at the river Kishon with his chariots and his multitude, and I will deliver him into your hand?” Even though the Lord had promised him victory he was still hesitant. It’s the same way for us today. The Lord has given us promises in His Word, and given us the Holy Spirit to guide us. Yet when His will is clear in our lives, we often let our flesh rule, and allow our fears to keep us from His plan.

Deborah agrees to go with Barak on the condition that Sisera will fall by the hand of a woman. So they go gather the 10,000 men and head to Mount Tabor. Here we see some more of Deborah’s personality coming through when she exclaims to Barak “Up! For this is the day in which the LORD has given Sisera into your hand. Does not the LORD go out before you?” She was the motivation behind Barak’s follow-through. Even though I’m not a ruler of anything, motivating others to a task is a job women commonly participate in. I cannot go to school for my son, learn to read for him, do his homework, or play with his friends, but I can motivate him to get busy! As mothers we cannot do the work for our kids, but we can go with them, and help them along the way.

Of course the Lord kept His promise to Barak, “And the LORD routed Sisera and all his chariots and all his army before Barak by the edge of the sword…and all the army of Sisera fell by the edge of the sword; not a man was left.” The Lord had the victory in this battle, and used Barak and Deborah to do His will.

What challenges are you facing today that seem overwhelming? Do you have an enemy who you feel is waiting to attack? If you are struggling with some pain or fear, look to the Lord for help. Read His Word, pray and live in His strength.

Maybe you are a Deborah, and you need to influence or motivate someone around you. When words of encouragement for someone are in your heart and mind, say them out loud. If the Lord has called you to encourage someone else in their task, do not fail to do His will.

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Posted in Deborah, Influence, Leadership, Motherhood, Prayer and Fasting, Women