Grace Bible Church
Pastor-Teacher
Robert R. McLaughlin
Thursday,
December 20, 2018
JUD 2:16, “Then the LORD raised up judges, who (those judges) saved them out of the hands of these raiders.
In the days of the Judges GOD’s people worshipped many false god’s like Dagon and Baal. Nowadays those false GOD’s are still here.
However, even though human civilization has changed tremendously
over the years, human nature (regardless of what one may think) has not changed.
After Joshua died there was a whole generation who didn’t know the LORD and what HE had done for Israel.”
When man forgets the Word of GOD, forsaking the GOD of the Word is right around the corner.
When Israel turned away from the LORD to worship idols, HE punished them, then, in their misery they cried out in repentance, HE liberated them.
But as soon as they were free, they went right back into the same old sins.
But GOD did not forget HIS covenant—and because of His great love for HIS people, HE disciplined His sinful children so that they might return to HIM.
Israel became satisfied with far less than what GOD wanted them to have, and far less than what GOD had provided for them. Once we satisfy ourselves with less than GOD’s best for us, we will never be what GOD wants us to be.
There’s no mention of Deborah being appointed by GOD.
Clearly GOD spoke to her, and through her…she was to tell Barak the words of the LORD.
JUD 4:4, “Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth lah pee doth, was judging Israel at that time.”
Most agree at a minimum, something is out of the ordinary, perhaps even that something is wrong—there are no men to function as judge! That impression is pretty much confirmed when we read of Barak being a wuss and the rebuke he receives as well as the loss of glory he could have received.
JUD 4:5, Deborah would sit under the palm tree… And the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.
Barak defeated the Canaanites. He united the tribes of Israel for greater strength, commanding them with skill. For it, although at first he failed, Barak is mentioned in HEB 11 the HOF. That should be a reminder to us all.
JUD 4:17 22, “I will surely go with you; nevertheless there will be no
glory for you in the journey you are taking, for the LORD will put Sis era into the hand of a woman”.
ISA 3:12, “As for My people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O My people! Those who lead you cause you to err, and destroy the way of your paths”.
Notice what Deborah did not do. W
hen Barak refused to lead, she did not tak
e control of the situation herself but rather let GOD direct Barak’s steps and victory. Her story should motivate women to do what she did, and Barak’s failure
should motivate men to avoid the mistakes he made.
The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and for seven years he gave them into the hands of the Midianites (the number of completion).
The LORD said to Gideon, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.”
Gideon is still do
ubting. He knows it is GOD tal
king to Him, but when it comes to fighting a battle fo
r the LORD well… 
