Day 93, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Judges 3:7–5:31
Step Up to the Plate
To a casual observer, playing baseball seems easy enough—just hit the ball and run around the bases. But the players know differently. Those who stand up in the batter's box must face fastballs, curves, and sliders, and sometimes avoid getting hit by the baseball. Still, the players must step up to the plate to help their team win.
Life is like that; someone must step up to the plate (so to speak) so their family, church, business, or other organization can win. We may indeed be hurt, and no one likes that, but still, God wants us to have the courage to get up and help our team. The same was true of Israel. Today, we look at the first four judges who step up to the plate to end the oppression of their enemies. The LORD chooses the judges. They are usually moral and often military leaders.
Othniel, the courageous leader
The first judge of Israel is Othniel. We heard of him in our Bible study in Joshua 15:16-19. The story of Othniel is probably recorded again because the book of Judges is written thematically and not chronologically. Othniel acted with courage in helping his future father-in-law, Caleb, drive out the people in the hill country of Debir in Judah, and now this courageous man is called upon to deliver the Israelites. He steps up to the plate after Israel has been oppressed by neighboring Aram (northwest of the Sea of Galilee) for eight years. When Israel cries out to the LORD, he sends Othniel to be their deliverer. He leads Israel against her enemies to give her victory and peace. There are forty years of peace with him as the judge, and it lasts until he dies. Then Israel returns to her evil ways and is once again conquered by a neighboring nation.Like Othniel, we must act with courage and step up to the plate to stop oppression; but since we are not a theocracy, we must act within the law and in cooperation with our government and civil authorities. These are ordained by God (see Romans 13:1-2).
Ehud, the passionate lefty
After Othniel's death, Eglon the king of Moab oppresses Israel for eighteen years (Moab is south of the tribe of Reuben and east of Judah and the Dead Sea). Ehud, the son of a Benjamite, is appointed to carry tribute money to Eglon. After giving his tribute, he tells the king that the LORD has a special message for him. In private, Ehud, who is left-handed, takes a long dagger from his right thigh and stabs the very fat king once so that he dies. Ehud then escapes and leads Israel into war against the Moabites and defeats them. The land of Israel then has peace for eighty years. Ehud acts with righteous zeal. Although we are not called upon to assassinate anyone or break the law, we should act with righteous zeal when there is injustice.
Shamgar the mighty
“After Ehud comes Shamgar son of Anath, who struck down six hundred Philistines with an ox goad. He, too saved Israel” (Judges 3:31, NIV).
Deborah, the faithful
There is not much written about the first three judges, but a lot is written about Deborah, the fourth judge of Israel. She governs Israel during the time that the Canaanites north of Galilee rule their land (The Bible Knowledge Commentary of the O.T., by Walvoord and Zuck, ©1985, p.388). Their oppression lasts twenty years. Deborah is a prophetess; she has a special relationship with the LORD. Her wisdom and judgment are respected, and she helps settle disputes between Israelites.
She sent for Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, ‘The LORD, the God of Israel, commands you: ‘Go, take with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead the way to Mount Tabor. I will lure Sisera, the commander of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his troops to the Kishon River and give him into your hands’” (Judges 4:6-7, NIV).
Deborah is noble; she seeks to give honor to her male commanding officer, Barak. However, he is reticent to fight the Canaanites without her present (perhaps because he perceives God is with her). Because he refuses to go without her, she tells Barak the credit for the win will be given to a woman. Deborah is brave because she goes with Barak to the battle line. She has faith and encourages her commanding officer to engage the battle because the LORD is with his troops. Deborah is a woman of faith. She is worthy of respect, and her faith is shown by her actions. Do people know we are people of faith by our words and deeds?
God lures Jabin’s Canaanite army into battle and then routs them with only 10,000 Israelite men. This is how he does it: the LORD sends an unseasonable rain, so Jabin’s chariots get bogged down in the mud and are afterward swept away in the flooding Kishon River (The Bible Knowledge Commentary of the O.T., edited by Walvoord and Zuck, © 1985, p.390, Judges 5:20-21). The Canaanites are defeated despite having 900 iron chariots. Only Sisera, Jabin's commander, escapes, but he is killed by a woman when he takes refuge in her tent for protection. Deborah's prophecy is fulfilled; victory over Israel's enemies is given by a woman.Deborah stepped up to the plate and led the nation. She and Barak then compose a song, praising the volunteers who helped God by acting with courage to fight their enemies, while most of their brother tribes were reluctant to help. Blessed are the volunteers!
Focus Verse [Christian leaders and parents can substitute their names for the princes of Israel]
Judges 5:2 (NIV) “When the princes in Israel take the lead, when the people willingly offer themselves-- praise the LORD!”
Discussion
What does it mean to “Step up to the Plate?”
What were the three commendable virtues to fight oppression and injustice? How should they be practiced and in what situations? Can you think of modern-day examples? How would God want us to express these virtues?
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to mtbiblestudies@gmail.com
Looking Ahead: In our Next Lesson we will see a brave man who has to Overcome his Small Faith. Join us and get some courage!
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