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 different. 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 get hurt, and nobody likes it, but God wants us to gather courage from him and stand up to help our team. The same was true of Israel.
In today's Bible reading, 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 teaches us courage to trust God
The first judge of Israel is Othniel. We heard of him in our Bible study in Joshua 15:16-19. Why is the story repeated word for word in both books? It provides a tie between the two books. Othniel acted with courage in helping his future father-in-law, Caleb, drive out the people in the hill country of Debir in Judah. Now, this courageous man is called upon to deliver the Israelites. He steps up to the plate after Aram (a nation northwest of the Sea of Galilee) oppressed Israel for eight years. When she cries out to the LORD, he sends Othniel to be their deliverer. He leads Israel against her enemies to give her victory and peace.
Like Othniel, we can trust God and step up to the plate to stop oppression. Since we're not a theocracy, however, we must act within the law and civil authorities. God ordains them to serve us (see Romans 13:1-2).Othniel judges Israel for forty years. After his death, Israel returns to her evil ways. Then again, God allows Israel to be conquered by Moab.
Ehud teaches us about zeal for God
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, carries 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 obese 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're not called upon to assassinate anyone or break the law, we should act with righteous zeal when justice is absent.
Shamgar teaches us to use whatever he gives us for him
“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 teaches us to volunteer and rely on God
Deborah is the fourth judge of Israel. She governs Israel during the time the Canaanites north of Galilee rule their land. Their oppression lasts twenty years. Deborah is a prophetess; she has a special relationship with the LORD. The people respect her wisdom and judgment as 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 LORD will give the credit for the win 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 actions show her faith. 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. Afterward, they're swept away in the flooding Kishon River.
Despite the Canaanites' large force with 900 iron chariots, only Sisera, Jabin's commander, escapes. However, when he takes refuge in an Israelite woman's tent, he‘s not as safe as he thinks. After she feeds Sisera and gets him all comfortable, he falls asleep. Then she kills him. God fulfills Deborah's prophecy; 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. It praises 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!
The Bible Knowledge Commentary of the O.T., by Walvoord and Zuck, ©1985, p.388
The Bible Knowledge Commentary of the O.T., by Walvoord and Zuck, © 1985, p.390, Judges 5:20-21
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 me, Rod, the author
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!
Last re-edited 7-1-23
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