sermon notesA collection of resources, background information, and periodic reflections on the scripture readings in worship from Pr Josh Ehrler. Archives
July 2018
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Strong Women of Scripture: Deborah6/13/2018 During the summer of 2018, Trinity Lutheran will be meeting and interacting with a variety of strong women found in scripture. Some will be familiar, other will be new acquaintances. This reflection is meant to introduce a new woman each week and provide thoughts on how we might be inspired by her strength and faith in God.
Our reflection is for Judges 4.4-9; 5.1-13 This week we move from matriarchs of the church to a divinely inspired leader. Technically, a judge, a person raised up by God “who delivered [the people] out of the power of those who plundered them” (Judges 2.16). And further explaining, “Whenever the LORD raised up judges for them, the LORD was with the judge, and he [sic] delivered them” (5.18). “Whenever the judge died, they would relapse and behave worse than their ancestors” (5.19). Sister Deborah was one of these judges, one who held her seat for 40 years. This implies the Israelites were good to go for those 40 years and when she passed on from this mortal coil, they fell back into disarray. That is, in fact, how she was raised up by God. We learn in the first few verses of chapter 4 that the Israelites followed their post-judge (Shamgar was his name) pattern of falling from God and were taken captive by an army to the north that floats in and out of Israel’s early history. Deborah, the only female judge and the only judge to be a prophet (Women in Scripture, pg 66), arrives on scene and immediately recruits a second in command, Barak. Through her, God lays out the battle plan to reclaim God’s people. Though Deborah is the one speaking, as she is prophetess, her words are God’s Word. God is addressing Barak, which makes his response curious. Barak goes along with the outline yet will not go out without Deborah. For his hesitance and doubt, Deborah gives him the bad news that he will lead the army to victory but it won’t be for his glory. He isn’t going to receive much credit beyond a name drop in a song, the glory will go to a woman. For a little perspective on the impending battle, Dennis Olson, commentator in New Interpreter’s Bible: Vol. 2, reminds us that the Canaanites have the state of the art weapons. Their war tech is far superior to anything the Israelites can muster (NIB, pg 779). In chapter 5, verse 8, the author sings, “Was shield and spear to be seen among forty thousand in Israel?” This is a lopsided fight that is going to require a whole lot more than heart and can-do spirit. Deborah’s soldiers don’t even have shields the Canannites have iron, the latest development that hints at the coming new age of development (NIB, pg 787). Hence her song is centered on God’s might. We nod and agree and in good form, readily acknowledge that it’s always because of God. Every Christian child knows the answer to the kids’ message question is Jesus. Plus, with Deborah being a prophetess, for her to credit anyone other than God would go against her role and calling in her nation. We 21st century readers get that and yet, to stay with that thought allows us to assume that anyone could have done the same thing. We might try to convince ourselves, or others will try for us, to believe that the judge is irrelevant. Except, we know from this story that Deborah is far from a mere jar of clay filling space. She is a powerful woman at the height of power for the burgeoning nation-state of Israel. It is no accident she wound up in charge and it is worth remembering that she is the only prophetess to sit in the chair under her own tree named after her. Oh, and by the way, she’s not brought in by God to fix the mess and quickly be sent away. She is the judge of Israel for 40 years, a long run to sit in the seat of power. One significant way Deborah stands out is that she is willing to stand up when called, as opposed to her general, Barak, who melts in his boots. He’s responsible for the army and organizing the troops, poorly armed as they are, and he buckles. Victor H. Matthews, commentator on Judges in Fortress Commentary on the Bible: The Old Testament and Apocrypha, writes, “Barak’s reluctance becomes a narrative catalyst for gender reversal” (pg. 337). Deborah does not slow her speak or her step, she sees the suffering of her people in Canaan and, with God’s Word, offers a solution. Her first spoken words are not an idea but a command. Barak will do rally the troops and if he can’t or won’t, Deborah will no doubt find someone who will. God’s plan can only come through her own decisive style for reaching her people. She knows the terrain, the capabilities of her soldiers and the allies available to be drawn into the battle. Surrounded by the chaos of loss, sadness and the wafting smoke of charred communities within her borders, Deborah brings stability and the assurance that God remains with the Israelites (Women in Scripture, pg.67). God knows their suffering, Deborah knows their cries to the LORD, and together they declare a resolution. This is how it will be. Assurance may be the underlying theme sister Deborah offers we readers. She reflects a sense of confidence of God’s presence and guidance that many of us may struggle to believe. Deborah does not doubt and does not betray her trust that God what God says is what God will do. The prior two weeks in our series, we have hung out with women who have wondered about God’s nearness to their lives. Hagar runs for her life in the wilderness to escape abuse, only to find God with her in the wilderness. Sarah hears God’s promise so many times that it becomes hollow and she can’t do anything more than laugh in God’s face. Deborah is a bold contrast to many characters in the Bible who ask more questions, need more proof or simply are not absolutely sure. Deborah is sure, she has all she needs and she will not wait around for anyone else to figure it out. If Barak needs her near to get his work done, then she’s going to the battle ground with him. Whatever it takes, Deborah is in this until the enemy is destroyed and her people are home. She knows that, since this is God’s doing, it will unfold as she envisions it. By the time we’re in chapter 5, the song of victory is being sung, God is credited with knocking back the Canaanites and sister Deborah is declared “a mother in Israel” (5.7b). A fitting descriptor for a woman who takes in the pain of the suffering ones and fearlessly offers protection through God’s hand.
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