My first reaction on reading the title for today is scepticism. Israel a world power?
Sisera put to death
Judges 4:17-24
Praise and glory ascribed to God
Judges 5:1-5
The deliverance of Israel
Judges 5:6-11
Some commended, others censured
Judges 5:12-23
Sisera’s mother disappointed
Judges 5:24-31
4th apostasy and servitude (Midian)
Judges 6:1-6
Israel rebuked
Judges 6:7-10
6th Judge, Gideon, sent to deliver Israel
Judges 6:11-24
Gideon destroys Baal’s altar
Judges 6:25-35
Gideon’s fleece
Judges 6:36-40
Number 2 in the list of unusual deaths comes in a gory story, worthy of the Bourne Ultimatum, where another woman murders the enemy general in humiliating fashion, pinning him to the ground with a tent peg through his head.
This leads to a time of rejoicing. Like Miriam after the crossing of the Red Sea, Deborah sings a song giving God the glory. Her song tells the story, rebukes those who lacked faith, and praises Jael for her cool despatch of the enemy general. It also has some of these overtones of grandeur that perhaps prompted the title for today - Israel a world power. But.. it’s a song, do we need to take it seriously?
But after 40 years of peace, Israel’s faith falters again, and this time the Midianites give them grief. God calls his next judge, a craven-hearted man called Gideon. Like Moses, he is too scared to follow orders, but God persists, even to the extent of performing contorted miracles to convince Gideon that he’s serious. Will Gideon rise to the challenge?
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