Gen. 1:26ff; 2:20-25; 3:16, Deborah: A Mother in Israel (1)

Let’s begin our study of Deborah with a review of the basic truths, in the order in which we see them in Scripture, concerning the relationship of husband and wife.

1.    Genesis 1:26-28: Both the man and the woman were created in the image of God.  Both are created to desire God, to know God, and to be like God.

2.    Genesis 2:20-25: The man was given headship in the marriage; the woman was given to man because he needed a helper.

3.    Genesis 3:16: As a result of sin, women tend to desire the position of the man (headship), and men tend to respond harshly to the woman.

4.    Romans 3:21-26: The sins of men AND woman were atoned for by the work of Christ on the cross.  Under the new covenant both men and women find their desire for God to be satisfied.  They both know God and are being transformed in the likeness of Christ who is the image of God (Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:9-11.)

5.    Ephesians 5:22-33: This “likeness to Christ” is exemplified profoundly in Christian marriage where the man’s love and the woman’s submission are both Christlike qualities.

Let’s now consider the amazing Deborah of Judges 4-5.  It would help, for background, to remember that Deborah lived in the time when Israel had no king and basically, everyone acted as their own king.  Without central leadership Israel fell into anarchy.  Everyone thought they could do what they wanted, and the result was what is often called the “cycle of apostacy.”  It is described in Judges 2:11-16.  Under Joshua the people had generally followed the LORD and so they were blessed.  But after his death and the death of the succeeding generation, the people of Israel began to pursue idols, rejecting the LORD who had brought them out of Egypt and into the Promised Land.  God’s response was to punish Israel, bringing them into subjection under the surrounding nations.  “Eventually” the people would realize the error of their ways and repent by crying out to God for deliverance.  God would “eventually” be merciful and answer by sending a deliverer, referred to as “Judges.”  For a period of time Israel would live in obedience to the LORD and they would experience His blessing.  But after the Judge died, they would again reject the LORD for idols and they would go through the same “cycle of apostacy.”

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This repeated failure to learn from the past, or more accurately, this repeated failure to trust the LORD, is worthy of our meditation.  How we need to seek the LORD’s help in walking faithfully with Him.  Are you in one of those “easy” restful periods of life?  Submit yourself to God.  Don’t be taken captive by sin.