Another Year Around the Son 7.21.2025
Read Judges 4-5, 2 Corinthians 1:1-11
Leadership is critical to breaking the cycle of sin, immoral practices, and disobedience. God will raise up a succession of Judges for Israel after the death of Joshua. The first Judge we see is Othniel filled with the Spirit of God who break the yoke of immoral decline and secured 40 years of peace. Take note he is Caleb’s son-in-law and from the line of Judah. After his death Israel falls away, and the cycle continues. Othniel the 2nd Judge Ehud from the tribe of Benjamin rises up (Judges 3:12-30), his victory brought peace for 80 years. Shamgar, the third Judge of Israel killed 600 Philistines with an oxgoad (see Judges 3:31) Shamgar’s weapon isn’t like the iron chariots or more formidable weapons of the Canaanites (All the Canaanites who dwell in the land of the valley have chariots of iron. Joshua 17:16). He used what he had holding back the tide of immorality. God uses unlikely weapons and often unlikely people. Deborah (Judges 4:4-5) a prophet, the wife of a Lappidoth, judges Israel next. This ‘mother in Israel’ (Judges 5:7) stands up during a turbulent period in Israel’s history and leads the Israelite military to war enlisting Barak in the plan of the Lord. Her words are full of courage “GO, IS NOT THE LORD AHEAD OF YOU” ….AND Y’ALL GOD DID IT, giving them victory at the battle at Mount Tabor (Ps. 89:12) defeating Sisera by not only a woman but a tent peg. He was fleeing as the Canaanite army fell to Barak. These are the same ones who you might recall had those intimidating iron chariots. Our weakness showcases God’s strength. We only need God, not iron, nor any other advantage.
Deborah and Barak celebrate the victory in song. And after this the land had peace for 40 years.
Awake, awake. If all you have is a tent peg it’s enough.
The word of God always points to our perfect and just judge, Jesus Christ. (John 9:39) He is ahead of us. He has secured the battle already all we need to do is ‘go, up’ 🙂 May the God of Barak give us the victory. Through faith you can overcome your hesitations as well… “who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.” Hebrews 11:33-34 NIV
LORD are you not ahead of us? Father, let our words bring hope, comfort, and strength to your people. We pray in order to help others. You are enough. You are the help we each need. You are worthy of our trust. You are worthy of our praise. You LORD delivered Israel from such a deadly peril, and you will deliver us. Our foundation stands. In you oh LORD we have set our hope that you will deliver your people again. Our help comes from the LORD. Amen.
Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime;
it is the Lord who sends the thunderstorms.
He gives showers of rain to all people,
and plants of the field to everyone.
The idols speak deceitfully,
diviners see visions that lie;
they tell dreams that are false,
they give comfort in vain.
Therefore the people wander like sheep
oppressed for lack of a shepherd.
“My anger burns against the shepherds,
and I will punish the leaders;
for the Lord Almighty will care
for his flock, the people of Judah,
and make them like a proud horse in battle.
From Judah will come the cornerstone,
from him the tent peg,
from him the battle bow,
from him every ruler. Zechariah 10:1-4
The victory will come! Christ finished it. Isaiah 35:10; 53:10 He was crushed to bring us peace.
