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Women are important in God's plan
God will use any person who will yield his or her life to him. It is easy for us to develop our own "theories" as to the identity of those whom the Heavenly Father - the creator of the universe - can, or will, allow to be part of the unfolding drama of divine revelation. The divine designer made both genders. Genesis 1:27. In the divine plan, both genders play important roles. As the Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Galatia, he declared, "There is neither Jew nor Greek (Gentile - non-Jew), there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:28. Much has been said and written concerning "women in the ministry" - much of it negative. Careful, openminded reading of scriptures reveals the fact of divine appointment of women into many roles, including national leadership. One must be careful concerning "personal prejudices" being taught as "divine revelation." After the death of the judge, Ehud (Judges 4:1), the Israelites, again, turned to a life of sin. Their actions resulted in their being overrun by "Jabin king of Caanan" (Judges 4:2a). The captain of the host of these Caananites was a man named Sisera. Judges 4:2b. We read that this king "had 900 chariots of iron; and 20 years he mightily oppressed (crushed; distressed) the children of Israel." Judges 4:3b. During this time, God raised up a woman who was the judge of the Israelites. We are told that "Deborah, a prophetess (a spiritual leader) ... judged Israel at that time." Judges 4:4. The record declares that "she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah ... and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment." Judges 4:5. Scripture does not give the "time line" for all of the events, but at some time during her tenure of ministry, she knew that the shackles of their oppressor must be thrown off. "And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedesh-naphthali, and said unto him, Hath not the Lord (Jehovah) God (Elohim) of Israel commanded, saying, Go draw (march) toward Mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphthali and of the children of Zebulun?" Judges 4:6. Thus, the "call to war" was given to the captain. God gave to her the divine battle plan. God declared, "I will draw (bring; fetch) unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude: and I will deliver him into thine hand." Judges 4:7. As brave as Barak must have been he "said unto her (i.e., Deborah), If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go." Judges 4:8. Much has been written and spoken concerning this "proposal" that the captain made. One can begin to "chase spiritual rabbits" that, simply, divert the attention from the fact of the faith that these people exercised. See Hebrews 11:32c. Deborah gave her answer to the captain. "I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour: for the Lord shall sell (as merchandise) Sisera into the hand of a woman." Judges 4:9a,b. After she gave Barak this information we are told that "Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh." Judges 4:9c. After this act, it was Barak's responsibility to assemble the army. Judges 4:10. The scripture introduces us to a family group that might be identified as "loners." "Now Heber the Kenite, which was of the children of Hobab the father in law of Moses, had severed (broken; separated) himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent unto the plain of Zaanaim, which is by Kedesh." Judges 4:11. The battle line was drawn. Judges 4:12.We are told that "Sisera gathered together (gathered by proclamation) all his chariots, even 900 chariots of iron, and all the people that were with him, from Harosheth of the Gentiles unto the river Kishon." Judges 4:13. Now was the time for action. "And Deborah said unto Barak, Up (arise; stand up): for this is the day in which the Lord hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not (has not) the Lord gone out before thee?" Judges 4:14a,b. We are told that "Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after (back of; beside) him." Judges 4:14c. The narrative account of the battle is stated. "And the Lord discomfited (to put in commotion or consternation; to disturb) Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his host, with the edge of the sword before Barak; so that Sisera lighted down (descended) off his chariot, and fled away on his feet." Judges 4:15. The poetic account in the "Song of Deborah" (Judges 5:1) gives more detail. "Lord, when thou wentest out of Seir, when thou marchedst (to move slowly in a solemn manner) out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled (quaked), and the heavens dropped, the clouds also dropped water. The mountains melted (flowed) from before the Lord ... Judges 5:4, 5a. The weather conditions aided the children of Israel. The "specialized equipment" of the enemy became a hindrance, allowing the "oppressed ones" - who had turned to God - to know that the God who created the universe had all of heaven's resources working in their behalf. The scene shifted to Sisera. "Howbeit Sisera fled away on his feet to the tent of Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite: for there was peace between Jabin the king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite." Judges 4:17. We are told that "Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said unto him, Turn in (i.e., turn aside), my lord, turn in unto me; fear not. And when he had turned in unto her into the tent, she covered (concealed) him with a mantle (blanket). And he said unto her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water to drink; for I am thirsty. And she opened a bottle of milk, and gave him drink, and covered him." Judges 4:18, 19.
After Sisera, the mighty captain, had received his nourishment, "he said unto her, Stand in the door of the tent, and it shall be, when any man doth come and inquire (ask) of thee, and say, Is there any man here? that thou shalt say, No." Judges 4:20. We are, then, told of the action of Jael. "Then Jael Heber's wife took a nail (peg; tent pin) of the tent, and took a hammer in her hand, and went softly (muffled; silently) unto him, and smote (drove) the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground: for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died." Judges 4:21. We are told that "as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said unto him, come, and I will shew thee the man whom thy seekest. And when he came into her tent, behold, Sisera lay dead, and the nail was in his temples." Judges 4:22. Victory comes by divine design.
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