The Songs of Deborah
Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Judges 4, 5; Psalms 56, 57
Judges 4:4-5 (NIV)
4 Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time. 5 She held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites came to her to have their disputes decided.
Judges 5:3 (NIV)
3 “Hear this, you kings! Listen, you rulers! I will sing to the Lord, I will sing; I will make music to the Lord, the God of Israel.”
Good morning!
I had to laugh out loud this morning when I read the Grand Sweep commentary for today’s scripture passage. Professor J. Ellsworth Kalas, pastor, professor, gifted teacher, author and lover of Jesus Christ, writes these heartfelt words: “How does one explain a woman like Deborah?” Thirty years ago when my husband Jeff married me, he had lots of hair. Now, he has no hair left at all. There is a reason for that, my friends. He chose to marry a Deborah! Think about your name for a minute. Does it suit your personality?
As many of you may know, I was adopted as an infant. My adoptive parents had tried for many years to have biological children, to no avail. For a short time, they volunteered their time as foster parents. It takes a special person to be a foster parent. It is an awesome opportunity to care for children in crisis; it is also a time of gut wrenching sadness, especially when you must say goodbye to a child that has simply melted your heart. I admire and applaud foster parents who willingly open their homes to children in need. What an amazing gift of love to give to another human being!
In December of 1958, my mother received an urgent telephone call from the State of Missouri. They said a tiny baby girl had been born prematurely and needed immediate permanent placement. She may have ongoing health issues to overcome. Would they be interested in adopting this child? My mother didn’t hesitate to accept an invitation to open her heart to this tiny, helpless baby girl. She had been spending considerable time studying the Book of Judges and was impressed with the woman named Deborah, a prophetess and judge, mediator and spiritual leader of the Israelite people. It was as if she knew my name before she even saw my face. When you were naming your babies, did the Lord whisper their names into your ear before you saw them for the very first time? Great emphasis has been placed throughout scripture in the naming of God’s children. It is a privilege to help select the name your child will carry with them for the rest of their life. Your name is a precious gift from above.
The Prophetess Deborah was an encouragement to her people Israel. She inspired the community to seek God’s face and live each day of their lives seeking to serve, honor and obey His holy Word. Deborah was willing to go into battle for the Lord, even if it meant she might fight alone. The Israelites were drawn to seek Deborah’s counsel and they knew right where to find her. She was sitting every morning under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel. The people would come for counsel and guidance. Deborah waited patiently and faithfully as she sought out the Lord in every matter. She listened with her spirit and spoke the words He gave her to say.
Deborah knew that the Lord had given Sisera into Barak’s hand. The Lord had gone before the Israelites into battle, as Sisera’s army was exterminated one by one. Sisera left his chariot and fled on foot to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber, the Kenite. He begged for sanctuary within her home and fell sound asleep, exhausted from the battle. It was the courageous woman Jael, who pounded a tent peg through Sisera’s skull and ended his life.
It is Deborah’s Song that resonates within my heart today. Lifting her voice in praise and thanksgiving, Deborah sings, “Hear this, you kings! Listen, you rulers! I will sing to the Lord, I will sing! I will make music to the Lord, the God of Israel.” Are you a Deborah? Do you raise your voice and sing praises to the Lord God Almighty every morning? Are you willing to rise up and fight, even if you are the only one in the ring? Will you listen for His still, small voice, and speak the words you hear Him say? Are you willing to passionately love the children of God, guiding them to daily seek His face and obey His Word?
May we each find a little piece of Deborah living within our hearts and lives today.
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: clarity of call. The Lord God Almighty is whispering in your ear. Can you hear Him? Will you answer? You can be a Deborah to the people God has placed in your life. Sing to the Lord this morning! Give Him everything you’ve got. Worship the Lord!
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© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding
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