Israel
sinned again. This time God delivered them into the hands of Jabin, king of
Canaan. The commander of the Canaanites’ army was Sisera. Something wasn’t
right in Israel: the men were either corrupt or were weaklings. There wasn’t a
man around to lead Israel. Instead, woman named Deborah was in charge and had the
respect from the people.
Deborah
was one of those rare women whose souls burned with fire and patriotism while
the men were suffering from apathy. No man cared to do anything about the sad
state of the nation. But not Deborah! Seeing no man came forth to free
her beloved nation from the Canaanites, she took upon herself to initiate the
task.
First,
she summoned a man called Barak to lead the fight against Sisera and his army.
Why she called Barak is explained in verse 6: it was a command from God.
However much zeal or talent a woman may have, God still expects the men to be
leaders of His “army”. Barak had faith (Hebrews 11:32), but he lacked the
initiative. Deborah came and provided the needed inspiration and stimulus.
Still,
Barak showed some weakness in him when he requested for Deborah to accompany
him in this campaign or else, he would not want to be involved: “And Barak
said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go
with me, then I will not go” (verse 8). What a disappointment! What kind of
man is this? As a result of his weakness, the honour of slaying Sisera was
given to another woman (verse 9).
Deborah
was the weaker vessel, yet had the stronger faith. She provided the inspiration
for Barak. I’m not sure but it could be that Barak had the might but not the
mind. Perhaps he saw in Deborah that God was with her and speaking through her
and so he needed this woman to be his advisor.
One
thing is sure: Deborah was well-known throughout Israel. The people saw that
she was prophetess of God and had been going to her for judgment (verse 5). It
means that Deborah was popular and respected by Israel. Hence, it is obvious if
anyone could command Israel to rise up and fight the enemies, it was Deborah.
Deborah was an inspiration and motivation. And, Barak knew it. Still, it is
God’s will that a man should lead the army.
Brothers,
listen: Though the LORD has and will give us great women, it is the duty of the
men to be leaders. It will be a sad day for the Lord’s church when the men:
1.
Are in a state of inertia – inactive.
2.
Are uninterested in the Lord’s work.
3.
Are not providing the leadership needed in the Lord’s church.
4.
Are depending on the women to do the work.
Sisters,
be a Deborah to your husbands and sons. Some men just need a kick start. They
are like a car engine that has caught a cold in the morning; it needs a jump
start. It means something to kick it before the engine could wake up. Will you
be a Deborah? If you see your husband or sons are not doing the work they are
supposed to do, tell them: “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like
men, be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13, ESV). You can provide the initial
spark that fire up the coals that have turned cold.
I
thank God for the Deborahs in our midst. I pray that our Baraks will wake up to
the call of God and get themselves busy in the Lord's kingdom.
Jimmy Lau
Psa
119:97 Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.
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