Verse 1: And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord, when Ehud was dead.
After Joshua had died the 12 tribes of Israel needed a leader so God set up judges over Israel and one of those judges was a man named Ehud. And while he served as judge over Israel, Israel had 80 years of peace, because they obeyed the commandments of the Lord, but after Ehud died they returned to worshipping false gods.
Judges says that, in those days there was no King in Israel and every man did what was right in his own eyes.
This is a reminder that we will never succeed in doing what is right in God's eyes without continual guidance and constant instruction from Him who is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Our wisdom and what we perceive as right, is foolishness in the eyes of God.
Verse 2: And the Lord sold them into the hand of Jabin King of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host was Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the gentiles.
Verse 3: And the children of Israel cried unto the Lord: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightly oppressed and children of Israel.
Let's explore the word oppressed in this scripture and find out what it means: To press, distress, afflict, crush, force, a prevailing power that has strength and who is strong.
So what happened to Israel was their enemy, the Canaanites were prevailing against them through intimidation by displaying their strength and power to keep them under subjection bondage and distress. The Canaanites did everything possible to crush their spirits, inflict them with fear, thoughts of hopelessness, defeat and failure.
Jabin and his general Sisera oppressed Israel severely and what really aggravated the oppression was that these Canaanites had formerly been conquered and subdued by Israel. But because of Israel's rebellion, apathy and unbelief in the God of Israel, He allowed their enemy to conquer them and they became their enemy's servants.
It took Israel 20 years of oppression by their enemies the Canaanites before they would cry out to God for deliverance and when they did, God sent them Deborah.
How many of you are being oppressed by the enemy? You feel like you're at your limit with stress, cares and the trauma going on in you and your families lives. You think if one more thing goes wrong or you hear one more bad report it's going to crush you and pull you under into despair. You cry out for relief, peace, a way to escape it all and you question when is this all going to be over.
Well beloved, I'm here to tell you that God can and will deliver you out of the hands of the enemy because in II Timothy 4:18 tells us:
And indeed the Lord will certainly deliver and draw me to Himself from every assault of evil. He will preserve and bring me safe unto His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever.
When God delivers us it means He releases and frees us from the captivity of the enemy. So when we draw upon the source of life itself we obtain the strength and power to overcome and defeat the enemy from every oppression, affliction, pressure and force. He then
preserves us unto Himself (as you would preserve something that's very precious to you so it doesn't deteriorate and it keeps it's quality and condition from changing) and lovingly leads us and guides us into Him because in Him we live and move and have our being, AMEN.
Let's continue with verses 4 & 5 of Judges 4.
Verse 4: And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.
Verse 5: And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgement.
Deborah was not only a Prophetess and a Judge for Israel, but in chapter 5:7 it tells us that she arose a Mother in Israel (spiritual mother). What Deborah was in the natural to Israel represents the Holy Spirit and how he works in our lives today.
Her name means "Bee" and it has been stated by Rabbis that she also made wicks for the lamps of the Tabernacle, therefore she was known as a woman of illuminations and splendor. One that was extraordinarily knowing, wise and intimately acquainted with God. She was entirely devoted to Israel, as a mother is to her children.
I don't know about you but I want to be one that brings illumination and light to the darkness of this world. I want the glory of the light of Jesus to shine in me and through me and touch those who are hurting and lost. I want to be like the Bee that pollinates the flowers so fruit can be produced in the lives of everyone I come in contact with. I pray that this will be your prayer.
Deborah was a Judge over Israel during the time of their oppression by Jabin king of Canaan, but at the same time a Prophetess, God's mouth peace and spokesperson to them for God. As a Prophetess she also brought forth direction for the people, the will of God for Israel and prophesied their future by and through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
The Palm Tree is so significant to this beautiful message and in describing figuratively the meaning of Palm Trees. It is said that she either had her house under the palm tree or she had her judgement seat in the open air under the shadow of that tree which was an emblem of the justice that she sat to administer.
Unger's bible dictionary says that: Palm Trees were a welcome sight to weary travelers because that usually meant there was water, shade and a place to rest. The Palm Tree has a long tap root that goes down to sources of water that is not seen by the eye. The fact that it grows in almost desert like conditions makes it a fitting symbol of constancy, patience, uprightness, prosperity and a symbol of victory.
See and hear what the Spirit is saying to you body of Christ. The Spirit is drawing you to come, taste and see that He is good and there is a refreshing of your Soul when you will sit at His feet. There you will find shelter from the storms of life and a safe place to rest from the trials of life. Dig deep into the wellsprings of my Spirit that you have not tasted before because even in the desert and dry places of your journey you can produce fruit that will remain and it will sustain and give you life.
Next week Part II of Deborah The Prophetess & Judge
Blessings,
Elma Garlock
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