Amy Kelley, Dir. of Outreach (Gethsemane)

Judges 4:4-16

4 Now Deborah, a prophet, the wife of Lappidoth, was a leader of Israel at that time. 5 She would sit under Deborah’s palm tree between Ramah and Bethel in the Ephraim highlands, and the Israelites would come to her to settle disputes. 6 She sent word to Barak, Abinoam’s son, from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, “Hasn’t the Lord, Israel’s God, issued you a command? ‘Go and assemble at Mount Tabor, taking ten thousand men from the people of Naphtali and Zebulun with you. 7 I’ll lure Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, to assemble with his chariots and troops against you at the Kishon River, and then I’ll help you overpower him.’” 8 Barak replied to her, “If you’ll go with me, I’ll go; but if not, I won’t go.” 9 Deborah answered, “I’ll definitely go with you. However, the path you’re taking won’t bring honor to you, because the Lord will hand over Sisera to a woman.” Then Deborah got up and went with Barak to Kedesh. 10 He summoned Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh, and ten thousand men marched out behind him. Deborah marched out with him too.

11 Now Heber the Kenite had moved away from the other Kenites, the descendants of Hobab, Moses’ father-in-law, and had settled as far away as Elon-bezaanannim, which is near Kedesh. 12 When it was reported to Sisera that Barak, Abinoam’s son, had marched up to Mount Tabor, 13 Sisera summoned all of his nine hundred iron chariots and all of the soldiers who were with him from Harosheth-ha-goiim to the Kishon River. 14 Then Deborah said to Barak, “Get up! This is the day that the Lord has handed Sisera over to you. Hasn’t the Lord gone out before you?” So Barak went down from Mount Tabor with ten thousand men behind him 15 The Lord threw Sisera and all the chariots and army into a panic before Barak; Sisera himself got down from his chariot and fled on foot. 16 Barak pursued the chariots and the army all the way back to Harosheth-ha-goiim, killing Sisera’s entire army with the sword. No one survived.

Reflection:

This relationship between Deborah and Barak is solid and here’s why: mutual trust and mutual respect. It would be very easy for me to go into I-am-woman-hear-me-roar talk, especially with all that is going on in our culture. However, this text is very telling about their relationship, whether a friendship or a working relationship, or both. Deborah is wise, strong, and a prophet. She carried herself with confidence, yet recognized God as the ultimate ruler. Deborah reminded Barak of God’s command to him: Barak was to lead 10,000 men into battle against Sisera. That is a daunting task for anyone! He asked her to go with him or he would not go. These two seemed to be each other’s “ride or die” person. She didn’t just take over and say “I’ll just handle it” because he was fearful. She called up something higher in him. She respected him and God’s calling on him. In turn, he respected her by listening and trusting her knowledge. Why do you think that is? Their relationship is based on God.

Often, when I read the bible, I only have more questions. In this instance, I wonder what their conversations were. What was Barak truly feeling when he said, “Go with me.” Was he scared? Was he worried about what other people would think of him? Did he feel inadequate to do the task at hand? What was Deborah thinking? Was she honored when she said, “I’ll go”? Did she feel like he should be able to handle this himself? Who knows. But think about the relationships in your life and ask those same questions. Then ask yourself where is God in those relationships? Are you being called to be your best self?

In verse 14, Deborah says “Get up! The Lord’s got work for you!”. I imagine the relationship you have with your alarm clock is not so great. But what if that alarm was saying “Get up! The Lord’s got work for you!”? You just might have a healthier relationship with your morning alarm. If the people you’re in relationship with aren’t saying “I’ll go with you” or “Get up!” or “Let’s go” in the name of God, we just might need to restructure them a little. Let’s go!

Prayer:

Amazing God,

I am so grateful for the relationships that I have. I need Your help though. I want to make sure my relationships are based on Your love and Your teachings. Help me to discern if some of my relationships are glorifying you or if I need to lovingly let go. I need to be encouraged and inspired as much as I love to encourage and inspire. Thank you for your gift of relationships at work, at home, and in my community of friends. Amen.