Post by Admin on Apr 4, 2014 11:20:40 GMT -5
I will sing unto Yahweh as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have any being 
The Prophetic Ministry of Judge Deborah
"Villagers in Israel would not fight; they held back until I, Deborah, arose, until I arose, a mother in Israel." (Judges 5:7)
Long before Golda Meir, at age 71, became the first female prime minister of the Jewish homeland, Deborah ruled Israel showing civil and spiritual leadership.
Unlike the detailed story of the rise of Queen Esther, the Bible does not record the circumstances under which Deborah rose to a position of national leadership.
She is one of few Bible women who achieved that status.
The Bible does, however, indicate in Judges 4:4–7 that Deborah was not only a wise woman, but she made herself available to assist others in need of that wisdom.
As a judge, the people came to her "to have their disputes decided." (Judges 4:5)
Within her position as judge, Deborah had a prophetic ministry as the Lord’s messenger.
As a prophet, Deborah would seek God's decisions on issues the people faced, and even issued commands directly.
The Book of Judges reveals that Israel had been drifting away from God, and was experiencing His judgment, which resulted in them being oppressed for 20 years by the significant military might of Jabin and his commander Sisera.
To deliver Israel from oppression and this superior might, God gave Deborah the wisdom, insight, and understanding of a military strategist. She detailed God’s plan to Barak, telling him exactly where the victory would take place.
"She sent for Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, 'The Lord, the God of Israel, commands you: “Go, take with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead them up to Mount Tabor. I will lead Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his troops to the Kishon River and give him into your hands.”'” (Judges 4:6–7)
Barak accepted the plan but told Deborah she would have to accompany him.
"If you go with me, I will go; but if you don’t go with me, I won’t go," Barak said to her. (Judges 4:8)
Verses 8–13 underline Deborah’s faithful obedience to the Lord, courage, and personal availability as a leader.
Defying, perhaps, the social mores of the day, she accompanied him to the battlefield, prophesying that God would deliver Sisera into the hands of a women as a result.
"Certainly I will go with you," said Deborah. "But because of the course you are taking, the honor will not be yours, for the Lord will deliver Sisera into the hands of a woman." (Judges 4:9)
Yael (Jael) was the woman who fulfilled that prophecy. She welcomed the fleeing Sisera into her tent and killed him as he slept. Her valiant act earned her the following blessing by Deborah and Barak:
"Yael is most blessed of women, the wife of Heber the Kenite; she is most blessed among tent-dwelling women." (Judges 5:24)
"She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night." (Proverbs 31:16–18)
Although it is obvious from the Bible that women are capable leaders, many societies have done their best to keep “women in their place.”
The 1960’s feminist movement asserted women's capabilities, some saying that they did so in a way that disadvantages men.
At the heart of the Word of God, however, we find that men and women are equal.
The original Biblical model serves to remind us that "God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God, He created them; male and female He created them." (Genesis 1:27)
God created humankind, male and female, in His image. Women are no less the image of God than men.
Both male and female display the glory of God’s image with equal brilliance,'"
"Male and female alike were assigned to rule over the earth and its animals; although God made male and female distinct and different from one another,.
As well, the Ten Commandments require children to honor both their father and mother:
"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you.”(Exodus20:12)
In other words, we are to consider our both our parents as being equally worthy of respect.
Honor or kaved is a central concept of Judaism. This word is related to weight or heavy, as well as glory (kavod).
Judaism holds that one must treat one another with respect, considering people as having equal weight or importance as ourselves.
Many of us are tempted to think that this kind of respect only involves parents and leaders, but it is not necessarily owed to women or wives.
Nevertheless, it is impossible to fulfill God’s commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves, without honoring them and giving them this kind of respect.
As this International Women’s Day approaches, may we honor the women in the Bible by meditating on the valuable lessons that they have to teach us. May we reach out with love and respect to the women in our lives.
Shalom
The Prophetic Ministry of Judge Deborah
"Villagers in Israel would not fight; they held back until I, Deborah, arose, until I arose, a mother in Israel." (Judges 5:7)
Long before Golda Meir, at age 71, became the first female prime minister of the Jewish homeland, Deborah ruled Israel showing civil and spiritual leadership.
Unlike the detailed story of the rise of Queen Esther, the Bible does not record the circumstances under which Deborah rose to a position of national leadership.
She is one of few Bible women who achieved that status.
The Bible does, however, indicate in Judges 4:4–7 that Deborah was not only a wise woman, but she made herself available to assist others in need of that wisdom.
As a judge, the people came to her "to have their disputes decided." (Judges 4:5)
Within her position as judge, Deborah had a prophetic ministry as the Lord’s messenger.
As a prophet, Deborah would seek God's decisions on issues the people faced, and even issued commands directly.
The Book of Judges reveals that Israel had been drifting away from God, and was experiencing His judgment, which resulted in them being oppressed for 20 years by the significant military might of Jabin and his commander Sisera.
To deliver Israel from oppression and this superior might, God gave Deborah the wisdom, insight, and understanding of a military strategist. She detailed God’s plan to Barak, telling him exactly where the victory would take place.
"She sent for Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, 'The Lord, the God of Israel, commands you: “Go, take with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead them up to Mount Tabor. I will lead Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his troops to the Kishon River and give him into your hands.”'” (Judges 4:6–7)
Barak accepted the plan but told Deborah she would have to accompany him.
"If you go with me, I will go; but if you don’t go with me, I won’t go," Barak said to her. (Judges 4:8)
Verses 8–13 underline Deborah’s faithful obedience to the Lord, courage, and personal availability as a leader.
Defying, perhaps, the social mores of the day, she accompanied him to the battlefield, prophesying that God would deliver Sisera into the hands of a women as a result.
"Certainly I will go with you," said Deborah. "But because of the course you are taking, the honor will not be yours, for the Lord will deliver Sisera into the hands of a woman." (Judges 4:9)
Yael (Jael) was the woman who fulfilled that prophecy. She welcomed the fleeing Sisera into her tent and killed him as he slept. Her valiant act earned her the following blessing by Deborah and Barak:
"Yael is most blessed of women, the wife of Heber the Kenite; she is most blessed among tent-dwelling women." (Judges 5:24)
"She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night." (Proverbs 31:16–18)
Although it is obvious from the Bible that women are capable leaders, many societies have done their best to keep “women in their place.”
The 1960’s feminist movement asserted women's capabilities, some saying that they did so in a way that disadvantages men.
At the heart of the Word of God, however, we find that men and women are equal.
The original Biblical model serves to remind us that "God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God, He created them; male and female He created them." (Genesis 1:27)
God created humankind, male and female, in His image. Women are no less the image of God than men.
Both male and female display the glory of God’s image with equal brilliance,'"
"Male and female alike were assigned to rule over the earth and its animals; although God made male and female distinct and different from one another,.
As well, the Ten Commandments require children to honor both their father and mother:
"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you.”(Exodus20:12)
In other words, we are to consider our both our parents as being equally worthy of respect.
Honor or kaved is a central concept of Judaism. This word is related to weight or heavy, as well as glory (kavod).
Judaism holds that one must treat one another with respect, considering people as having equal weight or importance as ourselves.
Many of us are tempted to think that this kind of respect only involves parents and leaders, but it is not necessarily owed to women or wives.
Nevertheless, it is impossible to fulfill God’s commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves, without honoring them and giving them this kind of respect.
As this International Women’s Day approaches, may we honor the women in the Bible by meditating on the valuable lessons that they have to teach us. May we reach out with love and respect to the women in our lives.
Shalom
