‘She (Deborah) sent and summoned Barak the son of Abinoam from Kedesh-naphtali And said to him, “Has not the LORD, the God of Israel, commanded you, Go, gather your men at Mount Tabor” (Judges 4:6a).

The phrase: ‘cometh the hour cometh the man’ is often used when a situation is tough but a man comes to the forefront and turns the tide. However, here it’s a woman who comes to the forefront to provide much needed ‘push’ in the right direction when Israel is, once again, in big trouble!

he situation is dire as Israel finds itself suffering oppression due to breaking the Lord’s Covenant (v1). In verse 3 we get an indication of just how bad it is: ‘Then the people of Israel cried out to the LORD for help for he (Jabin King of Canaan) had 900 Chariots of iron and he oppressed the people of Israel cruelly for twenty years.’  Jabin was obviously a nasty piece of work, but like all the best villains he has a sidekick to do most of his dirty work in the shape of Sisera the commander of his army (v2). But, once again, we are introduced to someone who is the most unlikely candidate to be involved in the deliverance of Israel. But it’s very apparent that Deborah is someone who is used by the Lord to get things moving where the deliverance of his people is concerned!

And that’s what she does when she summons Barak. The NIV gives the impression that verse 6 is in the present tense. But the KJ and ESV (and other versions) give what could be seen as a strong indication that Deborah could be reminding Barak that the Lord has issued a command, and that Barak has been procrastinating! This actually fits very well with the exchange that then takes place between Barak and Deborah, as Barak’s attitude could be seen as reluctant and could be ‘metaphorically’ summed up as: ‘well, I’ll lead the army, but only if you come with me and hold my hand.’ In the same way, Deborah’s response could be termed: ‘well alright, but don’t expect the glory when Israel is victorious. Because of the way you’re going about this the glory will go to a woman as she’ll be the one who kills Sisera’ (vs8-9)! What’s notable, and we would expect from a true prophet, is that Deborah speaks on behalf of the Lord!

What’s very apparent is there is a big contrast between Deborah and Barak. Deborah is very much a woman of faith. She receives the Word of the Lord that the he has delivered Israel’s enemies into their hands and then relays it in a way that signifies complete confidence and trust in him. Barak, despite being mentioned among the ‘Heroes of Faith’ (Hebrews 11:32) exhibits a feeble faith, at this point, that seems to have more confidence in Deborah than in the Lord! However, despite this, it’s Barak who leads the army and is victorious. So, two things spring to mind. Firstly, the Lord is incredibly gracious, where Barak is concerned. Secondly, the situation indicates the sad spiritual state Israel had fallen into![1]

In verse 11 we have what we would consider, if it was in a movie, to be an out of context moment where: ‘Heber the Kenite’ Separates from his tribe and moves his tent to near Kedesh. But actually what is happening here is that the Lord is directing everything in accordance to Deborah’s prophecy.

Meanwhile, when Sisera is told those pesty Israelites have raised an army, he decides to put an end to it with a massive show of force. However, this plays right into Israel’s hands as in verse 14 Deborah tells Barak: ‘Up! For this is the day which the Lord has given Sisera into your hand. Does not the Lord go before you?’ This clearly marks out Deborah as a woman of faith and God’s Word as this is practically a quote from Deuteronomy 20:4 that reminds Israel that it is the Lord who goes with them and fights for them in battle (vs 12-15).

The upshot is that Barak and the army make short work of the enemy. Sisera, realising his massive miscalculation (we gather from chapter 5 verse 21 the Lord caused a flash flood, thus rendering the enemies’ superior weaponry of Chariots useless) makes a run for it until he thinks he’s among friends (note verse 17’s connection with verse 11). But his deception backfires when he makes no mention of the battle and asks Jael to lie. He ends up being killed in a most humiliating way. Jael, who finds an unusual use for a tent peg, as Deborah prophesied (v9) makes the victory complete (vs15-22). And: ‘So on that day God subdued Jabin the king of Canaan before the people of Israel’ (v23). His ‘heavy’ gone Jabin is eventually defeated by Israel.

So once again, the Lord fights for his people when they are oppressed and helpless by raising up a saviour. Today there’s a spiritual sense that he does this by liberating those who will be his people through the ultimate saviour, Jesus Christ. ‘And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,  by cancelling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him’ (Colossians 2:13-15).

[1] Isaiah 3:12.

‘After him was Shamgar the son of Anath, who killed 600 of the Philistines with an ox goad, and he also saved Israel (Judges 3:31).

 When we come to verse 31 at the end of Judges chapter 3 it’s a case of ‘blink and you’re miss him’ as we are introduced to the Judge with the most fleeting references in all of scripture. Shamgar is only mentioned twice in the book of Judges, and then only very briefly. Obviously, he’s mentioned here and that gives us an understanding of how he delivered Israel. But he’s also mentioned in 5:6 in the victory song of Deborah and Barak where he’s mentioned alongside Jael who was a contemporary of Deborah and Barak. So this strongly suggests that the Lord was raising up Judges to deal with different issues in different parts of Israel throughout this troubled time. But what do we know about the man who has the two most fleeting references in the book of Judges?

The answer is, not surprisingly, not very much. I was very surprised to find out that some commentators don’t even include this verse in their  commentaries! But what we do know is very interesting. The first thing to note is rather surprising. His father’s name: ‘Anath’ is not an Israelite name and may mean: ‘son (worshipper) of the Canaanite goddess Anath.’[1] So this strongly suggests that this is someone who’s family may almost certainly come from outside the covenant community of Israel, and was brought in by some means like Rahab, Ruth and others were (see Joshua 2 and 6:22-23, the Book of Ruth and the numerous references to foreigners and there are also references to their protection under the Law). So once again, this is a very unlikely Judge! The second thing to note, is the method of his deliverance of Israel. We know that at some point  during the reign of Saul, he and his son Jonathan were the only ones with swords in Israel, the rank and file of the army having to make do with anything that they could lay their hands on (1 Samuel 13:22). It seems very likely that a similar situation existed in Shamgar’s time as that would explain a lot when we come to his choice of weapon!

An ox goad was a farm implement that consisted of a piece of wood about 8 foot long with a circumference that was easy enough to get your hand round. On one end of it would be a spike, presumably to encourage the oxen to go in the right direction, as they wouldn’t much like getting prodded by it. On the other end would be the equivalent of a small spade, presumably to clean out the earth from the plough from time to time. All in all, it’s an interesting choice of weapon, but one can see how it would be a very effective one when it came to a fight (let’s face it, you’d certainly know about it if you were on the wrong end of it)! Anyway, there’s no doubt that Shamgar was more than adept at handling it when it came to battle. Whether he killed 600 Philistines in one encounter or whether it was over a period of time we don’t know. What we do know is: ‘he also saved Israel.’

So, once again, this verse impresses upon us that God uses the most unlikely people and the most unlikely methods to fulfil his purposes. Shamgar’s background makes him an outsider and, as such, he looks a very unlikely saviour of Israel. But he’s raised up by the Lord for that very purpose (2:16). Once again, like Ehud, he’s someone who shows ingenuity in using whatever is at hand for the Lord’s work. But, an important thing to note, is that each character, we encounter in this chapter, in their own way is raised up by the Lord to be a saviour of his people Israel.

How much more should this give us confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ and his saving work on our behalf. He was not recognised as a saviour as he was not recognised by the religious leaders of the day. However, the amazing thing is that he calls the most unlikely people to him. Just think of Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well and how that led to many converts within the despised Samaritan community. ‘And many more believed because of his (Jesus’) word. They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe. for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Saviour of the world” (John 4:41-42).

[1] Dale Ralph Davis, Judges, Such a Great Salvation (Fearn, Christian Focus Publications, 2000) 65.

‘Then the people of Israel cried out to the LORD, and the LORD raised up for them a deliverer, Ehud, the son of Gera, the  Benjamite, a left-handed man’ (Judges 3:15 a).

Last month we took a look at Othniel who was every inch a hero. He was a brave and mighty warrior, and no doubt had an impressive physique to go with it. But now we come to a man who was probably the polar opposite of that.

Once again: ‘the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the LORD.’  The pattern is familiar, Israel rebels against the Lord who then sends judgement, the people cry out and the Lord raises up a deliverer. But this time Eglon, king of Moab, has formed an alliance with both the Ammonites and the Amalekites. Put simply, Israel is in big trouble again! So, after 18 years of oppression, the people cry out to the Lord and he raises up an unlikely candidate to save them.

But why was Ehud an unlikely deliverer of God’s people? After all, the Benjaminite’s were formidable fighters with an emphasis of them being able to use their left hands (see 20:16). So you might be thinking, “hold on a minute, this guy the perfect candidate for delivering the Lord’s people.” However, the original Hebrew text emphasises Ehud’s left handedness in the negative![1] Why? The most likely explanation is that he was handicapped and unable to use his right hand!

Eglon, and his lackeys are in the business of bleeding the country dry. But the Lord has other ideas. Who better to bring the tribute to Eglon than the apparently harmless Ehud? This is emphasised by others carrying the tribute. But after delivering the tribute Ehud sends them away and then turns back. Eglon’s bodyguards don’t suspect that Ehud is carrying a small sword strapped to his: ‘right thigh under his clothes’ (v16). If they’d searched him they’d probably missed it due to his left handedness! He claims to have a secret message from God for the King, so Eglon sends out all of his attendants. After all, this is a message from God, and Eglon, his vanity stimulated, is vulnerable!

The narrative takes on a darkly comic tone as Ehud, the perfect assassin, locks the doors and calmly walks out. The guards, unaware anything untoward has taken place, wait to the point of embarrassment thinking the king is taking a comfort break. Eventually they open the door and find the king assassinated in the most humiliating circumstances! Some people might have a problem with Ehud’s message from God. But Eglon was undoubtedly guilty of exploiting God’s people in ways described later in Deborah’s and Barak’s victory song (5:30). So this would have been seen, if you were an Israelite, as a suitable comeuppance! The rest, as they say, is history, Ehud’s leads the Israelites to an overwhelming victory and the land is blessed with 80 years of peace!

So what can we learn from this? First of all what was God’s message to Eglon? Quite simply, I think it could be paraphrase as: “You may think your gods have giving you victory over Israel, but you mess with my people, you mess with me!” So, the Lord was gracious towards his people when they came to him in an attitude of repentance, but this also illustrates that God’s judgement will come against those who oppose his purposes and people. Secondly, the Lord uses the most unlikely people and people in different ways. Ehud was an unlikely military commander compared to Othniel and nowhere do we read about the ‘Spirit of the Lord’ coming upon him as it did Othniel. But the Lord used his ingenuity and even his supposed disadvantage. Lastly, he attributes this incredible military victory to the Lord (v28).

Very often when we do things in the Lord’s service, we give ourselves a pat on the back and feel we’ve done well. But that’s not Ehud’s attitude in any shape or form. If he wasn’t a Judge already I suspect he was made one very quickly. But I suspect it didn’t go to his head, and that’s possibly why the land had peace for such a long time as Ehud proved to be a humble leader and that legacy continued for a while after he died. As such he stands as a good example to the Lord’s people in any day in age.

[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Available, Judges (Eastbourne, Kingsway Communications, 1994) 30.

‘But when the people of Israel cried out to the LORD, the LORD raised up to deliverer for the people of Israel who saved them, Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother’ (Judges 3:9).

One of the things I really like about the Marvel ‘Avengers’ films is you meet some pretty diverse characters. For example, Steve Rogers, Captain America, acts, and is, every inch a hero. On the other hand there’s Scott Lang, also known as Ant man. There’s no doubt that he’s very well-meaning, but in some ways he’s a bit of a doofus! But, on the other hand, he can still be heroic! The same could be said about this next section in the book of Judges as over the course of chapter 3 we will meet three very different Judges. One has all the credentials of a hero, but the other two are the most very unlikely heroes you could image! But we start with someone who’s very much a hero.

The pattern of the prologue, chapter 1 to the first part of chapter 3, gives us a very helpful overview of the book (The Book of Judges: The Prologue: Judges 1:1-3:6). And it’s manifested here. Israel has sinned against the Lord and the Lord  brings judgement upon them as: ‘he sold them into the hand of Cushan-rishathaim King of Mesopotamia.’  The phrase: ‘sold’ is very appropriate as originally the Lord had ‘redeemed’ (bought) Israel from their slavery in in Egypt. The rather long winded name of the King (he was probably just knowing as Cushan) is also interesting as it can be interpreted as ‘doubly wicked.’[1] In other words, Israel was in great trouble and, in verse 8, we are told that Israel was subject to him for eight years! Then: ‘the people of Israel cried out to the Lord’ (v9).

But what does that actually mean? Was this actually true repentance? Dale Ralph Davis is helpful here as he notes: ‘it denotes crying for help (frequently directed to Yahweh) out of deep distress or because of some unbelievable circumstance; occasionally it simply signifies a cry of anguish directed to no one in particular.’[2] But whatever the case, the Lord, in his grace and mercy, raises up Othniel who, as we shall see, has the credentials to be, and is, every inch a hero! But who is he?

The text tells us Caleb was his uncle and also his father-in-law. We’ve met Caleb before in scripture as he was one of the spies, along with Joshua, who was sent up to spy out the land. Whereas the other spies gave a very negative report (which led to 40 years wandering in the desert) Caleb and Joshua gave a very positive one because they were convince that the Lord would be faithful and help Israel in their campaign (Numbers 13:17-33). Later at the age of 85 he got the chance to claim his inheritance when he led a campaign in Israel’s war against the nations of the land. Othniel became his son-in-law when Caleb offered his daughter to the man who could capture Kiriath-sepher (1:12-13). This obviously means that Othniel was a very brave man, but one can’t help thinking that his heritage helped and Caleb’s faith, bravery and enthusiasm prove to be inspirational and contagious! Anyway: ‘The Spirit of the LORD was upon him, and he judged Israel. He went out to war and the LORD gave him Cushan-rishathaim King of Mesopotamia into his hand’  (v10).

One of the things I find very encouraging in this story is that Othniel, when he was raised up to be Israel’s deliverer, was probably older than Caleb was when he headed up the original military campaign. So, he was as still as zealous for the Lord’s cause in his old age! One can’t help think that just as he was inspired by Caleb, he probably became an inspiration to another generation. Isn’t it great to know that as Christians, there’s no reason why our service for the Lord should diminish with age. Indeed, it can often mature and deepen and we can be used to even greater effect as we get older if we are zealous for the Lord’s cause as Othniel was!

But the thing we mustn’t miss here is everything was the Lord’s doing. Othniel may have been Israel’s deliverer, but it is only because God chooses to use him to be his instrument! What this does prove is that when the Lord chooses to use someone who is zealous and faithful, it’s a formidable combination and can often be an unstoppable force for his cause!

[1] Warren Wiersbe, Be Available, Accepting the Challenge to Confront the Enemy, Judges (Colorado Springs, Victor Books, 1994) 26.

[2]  Dale Ralph Davis, Judges, Such a Great Salvation (Fearn, Christian Focus Publications, 2000) 50.

The book of Judges is considered a difficult book of the Bible. So this month we start a new ‘Scriptural Thought for the Month’ looking at the book of Judges to see how in dark and desperate times, when men do dark and desperate things, God is still working through the most unlikely people!

‘So now I say, I will not drive them out before you, but they shall become “thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare to you.” As soon as the Angel of the LORD spoke these words to all the people of Israel, but people lifted up their voices and wept. And they called the name of that place Bochim. And they sacrificed to the LORD’ (Judges  2:3-5).

It had started so well. In Judges chapter I we see Israel working in harmony after the death of Joshua as they continue the conquest of the Promised Land. But slowly the rot sets in. There’s a reluctance to see the Lord’s instructions right through when it comes to driving out the inhabitants of the Land, and, by the time we get to chapter 2, there’s real problems as Israel had made numerous compromises with the various peoples of the land.

Not surprisingly the Lord intervenes. The Angel of the Lord delivers a stern reprimand that they have broken their covenant with him. Therefore, the people of Land would become: ‘thorns in your sides and their gods shall be a snare to you’ (v3). The message is met with a typical Israelite response, great weeping and wailing followed by the offering of a sacrifice. I don’t doubt they were sorry, but one gets the feeling this was probably because they going to suffer judgement rather than genuine heartfelt repentance.

What follows (vs6-23) is really an overview of the whole of the book of Judges. It starts by reminding us: ‘the people serve the LORD all the days of Joshua and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua’ (v7). But, a few verses later we read that: ‘there arose another generation after them who did not know the LORD or the work he had done for Israel’ (v10). I don’t think for a second that they had no knowledge of the Lord, but rather what the text is conveying here is they acted as if they were ignorant of his deliverance of them from Egypt!

The upshot of this is Israel assimilates the culture of their pagan neighbours. So, from now, on Israel could only expect the Lord’s judgement and in verse 14 we read that he: ‘gave them over to plunderers who plundered them. And he sold them into the hand of their surrounding enemies so they could no longer withstand their enemies.’ But, amazing as it may seem, even in the midst of his judgement the Lord was gracious to them as, in verses 16-18, he raises up a succession of Judges to deliver his people. However, each time a Judge died the people turn back to worshipping the ‘detestable’ gods of the people of the Land. Eventually the Lord vowed he would: ‘no longer drive out before them any of the nations that Joshua left when he died’ (v21). When people reject God, there’s a danger that eventually the Lord will leave them to the consequences of their own actions!

By this point we might be in despair. How could something that started so well could end up in such a mess? But the start of chapter 3 shows us that the Lord is not absent as, despite how things looked, he’s carrying out his purpose. In verses 1-2, he’s preparing his people for the future as not all of them had experienced warfare. So, in verse 4 we read that the nations that were left in the land: ‘were for the testing of Israel, to know whether Israel would obey the commandments of the Lord.’ What’s interesting about this verse is that in the Hebrew the verb is open. It’s not for us to say that they’re going to succeed, or fail. In fact we will see both success and failure as we continue through the book of Judges! So, even if the Israelites continued to be assimilated even more into the culture of the godless nations of the Land by intermarrying with them, creating an even bigger mess, God was still present. They were his people and therefore his mess, even though he was not responsible for it, and because of = his grace and mercy he had not deserted them!

In Romans 5:20 the apostle Paul writes: ‘Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.’ Paul is alluding to the work of Christ as a saviour to all who turned to him to have their sins forgiven. In the book of Judges we will see the graciousness of God as he raises up Judge after Judge to deliver his undeserving people. In the end, despite their many imperfections, could it be possible that these Judges act like a signpost to point us to the perfect and therefore greatest deliverer of all, Jesus?