God uses who will Obey

Good morning Friends.

    We’re in Judges this morning and I’m a little excited because we get to talk about two awesome women in the Bible.

     So, surprise, Israel messed up again, found themselves in oppression, cried out and God answered. There’s that pattern again. And this time God raised up Deborah.

“Deborah, a prophetess was judging Israel at that time.” (Judges 4:4)

     She was speaking God’s word. Leading His people and walking in authority. And the Bible doesn’t explain it. It just shows it.

     Ok, so Let’s be real for a moment, there are people who say women shouldn’t preach or lead. But Judges 4 doesn’t argue that. It simply shows us that God raised up Deborah. God spoke through Deborah. God led His people through Deborah. Deborah didn’t have to explain her position. She just walked in what God called her to do.

      And not only that she was sitting under the palm of Deborah, and the people of Israel came up to her for judgment. That means this wasn’t a one time moment. This was her place. Her assignment. She was already walking in authority before the battle ever showed up.

So whatever we believe we have to look at what Scripture clearly says. This is one instance where context really doesn’t matter does it? God said it and God did it. Not really any room to argue it.

    Then Deborah calls Barak and gives him a direct word from the Lord. This wasn’t her opinion. This was strategy straight from God. Go. Gather the men. I will give Sisera into your hand.

                          But Barak hesitates.

    Then Barak was told to go, but he added a condition, he said he would go but only if Deborah would go with him. And God still moved but the honor shifted. Partial obedience would cost him something. Deborah told him straight the victory will still come, but the glory won’t be yours.

      And here’s what’s so awesome, God didn’t cancel the mission because of Barak’s hesitation. He still fulfilled His word. But who carried the honor changed.

      So they go into battle, and just like God said, He shows up. "The Lord routed Sisera". That word routed it means confusion and chaos. God stepped in and fought in a way they couldn’t have done on their own.

Sisera jumps off his chariot and runs away which brings us to the second woman.

      Jael.

While the army is fighting, God is already setting up the final blow somewhere else. Sisera runs to Jael’s tent thinking he’s found safety. She welcomes him in, covers him, even gives him milk when he asks for water, she makes him comfortable. And then when the moment comes she takes the tent peg and finishes it.

And just like Deborah said the Lord would sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.

     Not the one Barak expected. Not the one on the battlefield. But God used Jael in a hidden place to secure a very public victory. That’s how God works sometimes. He uses voices like Deborah, public, bold, leading. And He uses hands like Jael, quiet, strategic and unexpected.

                      Same God. Same victory.

    And in the end, just like Deborah said the Lord routed Sisera and God got the victory.

God speaks clearly. God uses who He chooses. And He’s not limited by people’s expectations.

So if He told you to move.....Move!

If He told you to speak.....Speak!

If He told you to lead don’t wait for permission.

Because you don’t have to explain what God has already established.

#ThatGirlPreacher #Judges4 #WomenInMinistry #BiblicalTruth