Deborah's Decision

There have been times in my house I have heard from my children “It’s not my job!” This has usually happened because I asked them to do something originally assigned to someone else. Although I knew at the time it was not their job it still didn’t change the fact that at that moment, I needed help getting the job done no matter who did it.

In the book of Judges Chapter four, we also read about someone who was asked to do something not considered to be their job. This person’s name was Deborah. Deborah was a wife, a prophetess, and a judge, and she was being asked to be a warrior, if you will, and go into a battle not required of her. Starting in verse six we read how that Deborah called for a man named Barak and said, ‘Behold, the Lord, the God of Israel, has commanded, “Go and march to Mount Tabor, and take with you ten thousand men from the sons of Naphtali and from the sons of Zebulin and I will draw out to you, Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his many troops to the river Kishon; and I will give him into your hand.” Then Barak said to her, “If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go.” And she said, “I will surely go with you; nevertheless, the honor shall not be yours on the journey that you are about to take, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hands of a woman.” Then Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedash.” As these verses state Sisera was indeed killed by a woman whose name was Jael and Deborah went with Barak as she had said she would. She also gave the command later in verse fourteen which says: “Arise! For this is the day in which the Lord has given Sisera into your hands; behold, the Lord has gone out before you.”

Deborah obviously had a lot on her plate with being a wife, a prophetess, a judge, and then to agreeing to go into a battle that was not even hers. There was no reason why Barak needed her to go with him because God had already told him, all would go well. Yet he felt he needed Deborah there with him, and she agreed to go. Now she did not actually have to fight with the sword, but you can bet she was fighting in the Spirit, and that is most likely what Barak needed and wanted. Deborah, that day on top of everything else she was responsible for proved to be a woman of many talents. To be extremely brave, courageous, and above all, to be kind and loving. She didn’t have to go with Barak that day. After all, she had enough things to do already, and yet she still decided to go. She went and allowed God to use her in a situation that was not an everyday occurrence for her. Through that, God was honored and glorified, and you and I have the privilege of reading about it today.

After reading about Deborah and her many descriptions one needs to look at her and say, “Like Deborah, I can do anything and do it as a strong and courageous woman.” What if today we were to see someone who was a wife, a high-profile judge, and a prophet, then we saw them accompany a man into the war for a day? What would be thought of her? Some would say she was crazy. Some would be in pure shock and yet many would admire and look up to her. You see for many women sell themselves short because they are women. The tendency can be that a woman is only to be a wife, a mother, and perhaps a quiet one at that! This can leave many women feeling something is missing, and for some, there is. For some women, God created them to handle a little more on their plate in life, and that is what we see through the life of Deborah. Not all women are called to many things, and not all women are called to live a life in public as Deborah did, but all women are called to something. Being a Godly wife and mother is the highest and most important calling in life, and one needs to be admired, and above all, respected for it. But it does not mean that for some, there isn’t more required.

What if God wants to add something to your plate? What if He wants you to teach Sunday school or help in a shelter? What if He wants you to join the choir or help the local teens? What if God wants you, on top of being a Godly wife or mother to go into a specialized area of ministry outside of your local church and comfort zone? What if God has called YOU to be a prophet? Then what would you do? What if He just wants you to freely give your testimony and witness to your neighbor? Will you? Will you allow God to use you even in a situation that may not be your main purpose in life, but at that moment you are willing to help?

You see even like Deborah she gave Barak his instructions on what to do, her life was then interrupted to do something perhaps out of her comfort zone, something that was not on her daily agenda. But again, she went, and because of that, she demonstrates to us great servanthood and a willingness to be used.Through Deborah's story God gives us the example of what can be done through a woman who devotes herself to God and His will.

How About You?

1. Are you willing to let Jesus "interrupt" your schedule to be used by Him?

2. What are some of the reasons you feel you do not have "time" to serve God however He wishes?

3. Start today by just saying "Yes" to Jesus for whatever He desires of you EACH moment of each day.