This past week I started reading through the book of Judges with She Reads Truth. To be honest, a devotional based on a book all about Israel's continual cycle of sin, (serve foreign gods, enemy oppression, crying out to God for help, a season of rest and peace, repeat, repeat, repeat...), seemed less than appealing in a season where I could use something a bit more encouraging and edifying. But, to my surprise, before I was very many chapters in, I noticed something that did, indeed, encourage me.
In Judges, chapters 4 and 5, we read of a woman named Deborah who was a judge over Israel. (This was before Israel insisted on having a king like the other nations around them. Instead, judges ruled the land.) Israel was under Canaanite domination and God gave Deborah a battle plan on how to defeat them. Under her guidance, the enemy was annihilated, but the leader of the army, Sisera, escaped. He took refuge in the tent of a woman named Jael, who lulled him into trusting her. But, once he was asleep, she killed him by driving a tent peg through his head. Two women became the unlikely heroes of a major victory for the nation of Israel. (Join me for the rest of this post on Sunday, August 5th, at Woman to Woman Ministries where each Sunday I share a bit of Sunday Soul Food!)
still following,
I love the verse from Zechariah that you featured. It reminds us that only through God's spirit can we make good things happen - not my our own might or power. The picture that accompanies the verse is beautiful too!
ReplyDeleteThe verse blesses me as well!
DeleteYour post reminds me of when we hear of heroes in the most unlikely places or events ~ sometimes on the news. Great reminder that God uses all his people. Have a happy Sunday.
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I was thinking of some modern day heroes as well!
DeleteWow... Jael was hardcore! I am often surprised by how in-your-face the stories in the bible are.
ReplyDeleteThere are definitely some gory stories in the book of Judges!
DeleteThe verse you posted was one that got me through a very difficult school year. I would sing it as I walked through the halls. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI love this!
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