This Sunday, July 7th, we continue our summer sermon
series, getting to know some of the “Supporting Cast in the Bible.”
These are lesser known Biblical characters, people whom we hear about only
briefly in the scriptures. Yet, these characters frequently play crucial
roles in the Bible and sometimes model faithfulness to God in their
actions. This is certainly the case with
Deborah, who is our supporting cast member for July 7th. Deborah was one of the Israelite Judges in
the Hebrew Book of Judges. See Judges 4:1-16.
The
Book of Judges provides an interesting bridge between two mighty epochs in the
history of Israel. Prior to the Book of
Judges, we hear the story of how God adopted the people of Israel as God’s “Chosen
People;” of how God delivered the people of Israel from their slavery in Egypt
and then—after they wandered around in the desert for forty years—God led them
into the Promised Land, a fertile region, “flowing with milk and honey.” This story of God’s Deliverance becomes an
iconic identity story for the people of Israel.
That is, the people of Israel began to self-identify as God’s Chosen
People, whom God had delivered from Egyptian slavery. This story is dominated by Moses and his
successor, Joshua. And, it comes before
Judges
Following
the Book of Judges, we encounter the second great, transformative epoch, which are
the stories of Israel’s Kings, beginning with the mighty Kings Saul, David, and
Solomon. Bridging these two
transformative epochs for the people of Israel is the Book of Judges. There is a recurring pattern disobedience to
God and consequences in the Book of Judges, which looks like this:
- Israel does evil.
- There are consequences for the evil that Israel has done: God condemns Israel and sends an enemy who defeats and oppresses Israel.
- After some years, Israel cries in distress.
- God sends a Judge or deliverer to drive out the enemy and redeem Israel.
- Israel does evil, again.
(The
cycle repeats itself.)
In the
Book of Judges, this repetitive cycle (above) also represents a gradual decline. As the Book of Judges unfolds, Israel
experiences a social and religious decline.
Incorporated in this social decline is a deterioration in the political
unity of the 12 tribes which comprise Israel.[1] Given this disunity, it is easy to see why
Israel was continually being attacked and overrun. The pattern looks like this:
- Israel is divided and occupied by a foreign army.
- A Judge emerges from Israel, who unites some or all of the 12 tribes to overthrow the occupying foreign power.
- A battle ensues and the temporarily united Israelite army emerges victorious. Israel regains its freedom.
- Peace and prosperity follow.
- However, political rivalry and disunity soon emerges, making Israel once again divided and vulnerable.
(The cycle repeats itself.)
Although
the term, “judge,” may suggest a wise individual who adjudicates cases in a
court, most of the judges in the Book of Judges were primarily “warrior rulers
who led Israel in fighting [and defeating] oppressive enemies. The judges were also involved in maintaining
Israel’s religious life and institutions with varying degrees of success.”[2]
All of
these judges were men. The lone exception
was Deborah, who was a woman. Deborah
was also unique in some other ways, as well.
Unlike the male judges, who were warrior kings, Deborah was more like
our usual notion of a judge. She sat
under “the palm of Deborah,” making judgments and resolving disputes between
people who came to her for judgments to resolve conflicts. (See Judges 4:5.) In addition, the Book of Judges describes
Deborah as “a prophetess” ( Judges 4:4).
At the
time of Deborah, Israel has been occupied by the Canaanite army, led by their
commander, Sisera. The Canaanites “had
oppressed the Israelites cruelly [for] twenty years” (Judges 4:3b). In order to rebel against Sisera, Deborah sent
for Barak, who was a military leader.
When Barak arrives, Deborah shares an oracle from God to Barak. God promises “I will draw out Sisera, the
general of Jabin’s army, to meet you by the Wadi Kishon with his chariots and
his troops; and I will give him into your hand’” (Judges 4:7).
At this juncture of the
story, the reader should assume that Barak will fill the role of Judge, as he
commands the Israelite army and vanquishes the Canaanites. Afterall, he has the assurance of God through
Deborah’s oracle. However, Barak is an
extremely cautious man. He agrees to
lead the army, but only if Deborah goes with him. Deborah agrees to accompany Barak and the Israelite
army into battle, but she tells Barak that he will surely lose the glory of leading
an army which expels the occupying Canaanites after 20 long, miserable years
(Judges 4:8-9). Barak leads the Israelite
army into battle and prevails over Sisera and the Canaanites. Yet, just as Deborah foretold, it is another
woman, Jael, who ultimately kills Sisera.
It seems to me that the major
difference between Deborah and Barak concerns the depth of their faith in God
to deliver Israel. Whereas Deborah trusts
God completely to deliver Israel, Barak only partially trusts in God. Rather than trusting and relying fully on
God, Barak partially relies upon Deborah to accompany Barak and the army of Israel
into battle.
As part of our worship service, this Sunday,
July 7th, we will acknowledge and commemorate Independence Day and the birth of
our country. I believe that hearing and
reflecting on the story of Deborah will challenge and enhance our commemoration
of Independence Day. I think that there
are some important similarities between the situation faced by Deborah and our
current situation.
In both cases, the nation is deeply divided and unity
has been destroyed. For the Israelites,
this disunity made them weak and vulnerable to threats from the Canaanites and
other enemies. They were only able to
expel the Canaanites, when they were able to reunite under Deborah. Similarly, it seems clear that the United
States is currently divided into warring factions. This disunity makes our country vulnerable to
threats, both internally and externally.
As followers of Christ, we need to become leaders in our society,
providing healing, forgiveness, and reconciliation, so that our country can become
re-united in order to repel threats which overshadow our future.
If you live in the Lincoln, Nebraska area and do not
have a place to worship, then I invite you to come and join us at Christ United
Methodist Church this Sunday, July 7th, as we celebrate Independence Day and
reflect on the lessons which the story of Deborah has to teach us. Christ United Methodist Church is located at
4530 “A” Street. We have three worship
services on Sunday mornings at 8:30, 9:45, and 11:00. The 8:30 and 11:00 services feature a
traditional worship format and the services are held in our Sanctuary. My proclamation on Deborah will be part of
the 8:30 and 11:00 services.
“The Gathering” at 9:45 is held in our Family
Life Center (gym); it is more informal and interactive. In “The Gathering” this summer, we are
exploring diverse areas of Christian discipleship, using a different Disney
film each week. This week’s film is The
Lion King. Using scenes from this
film, we will examine the importance of remembering who we are as followers of
Jesus Christ.
Come, join us at any of our three services.
Everyone is welcome and accepted because
God loves us all.
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