DEBORAH: A FRUITFUL VINE.

*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*

*DEBORAH: A FRUITFUL VINE.*

*Scripture Treasure.*

Judges 4:6-9

*And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the Lord God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?*

*And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand.*

*And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go.*

*And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the Lord shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.*

*Insight and Highlight.*

God's call to service knows no bounds.

*Scripture Commentaries.*

The book of Judges records the call of a woman to deliver His people, Israel, from an enemy bondage.

Israel had been oppressed by the king of Canaan called Jabin because God sold them into his captivity because of their sins.

Judg 4:3 says *".....for twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel."*

God raised a woman Judge, named Deborah, a prophetess. She was married to Lapidoth.

She was the fourth Judge out of twelve and the only female Judge.

She ranks with Esther as the only two female leaders in the OT.

She rendered her administration *".......under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment."*, Judg 4:5.

Moved by the pathetic state of her nation, she sought the help of a man called Barak to lead two tribes, namely Napthali and Zebulun.

Though not as privileged by Esther who was in the palace she was as equally brave, with a great command and her military persuasion of Barak and the nation's troops just like Esther's persuasion over the Jews in Shushan.

The war strategy was to destroy Canaan, Sisera, the captain of the Jabin army.

Deborah had the support of Barak but prophesied that God would give Sisera to a woman, Judg 4:14.

Jabin led the war. God fought for Israel, Sisera' army was destroyed, but Sisera ran away on foot.

He found refuge at the tent of a woman called Jael. Sisera asked for water, but Jael gave her milk, after which he fell asleep.

While he was asleep, Jael, a woman, hammered *"....a nail of the tent and smote the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground:....So he died*", Judg 4:21.

In Judg 5, Deborah sang a song of victory where she attributed the victory to two women, herself and Jael, and more importantly, the enormous help God raised for her. It was more than she expected, Judg 5.

In the song, she mentioned Barak and other tribes (in contrast to the two tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun), namely Ephraim, Benjamin, Manasseh, Issachar and Naphtali. Judg 5:15-18.

In her song, she also rebuked the tribes of Reuben, Dan, and Asher, Judg 5: 15-17, who refused to go to the war with her.

She acknowledged Jael, the woman who killed Sisera, Judg 5:24.

After this victory, Deborah went on to lead Israel peacefully for forty years, Judges 5:31.

Deborah illustrates a few examples of exemplary excellence.

First, people who offer themselves to God's service do not go without honor from God.

Second, she was a woman who combined her home with God's service, Judg 4: 5

Third, her humility is seen when, though called by God, she was still identified with her husband.

*".....And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth,...."* Judg 4:4.

Fourth, an encourager. She was a promoter of joint and collective efforts. She called for the service of Barak.

Fifth, she was a woman of well-known ability and courage.

Barak said he would not go anywhere without Deborah, Judg 4:8-9.

Deborah was fruitful because she showed herself fruitful, Judg 4:3-4.

Sixth, all things will work together for you when you are useful to God, Rom 8:28.

Sisera ran into the tent of Jael. Both the land of Hazor where Sisera was commander of the army and the house of Jael were at peace, but God turned Jael against Sisera in other to give victory to Israel. Judg 4:2, 17.

Do you want to be fruitful to God?

*Remorse corner.*

Show me a woman God can use. It is the woman who offers herself to God.

*Call to Word action.*

Jael was not known by Deborah, yet she helped Deborah to win the war.

When you show yourself fruitful to God, He will send people you do not know to help you.

*The Christian clarion duty.*

God raised more help for Deborah than she expected. All because she was obedient to God's call, Judg 5.

*Prayer.*

Lord, let me be fruitful unto You as a woman, in Jesus name.

Good morning all, and have a blessed day.

God bless you.