Reflections on "Women at Work" Judges 4: 4-24

Another fun, challenging sermon.  I am still struggling to figure out how to handle all the killing attributed to God.  It seems to defy the God who acts in Christ's death on the cross.  My conclusion in the sermon made that point.

But, these stories are so rich in their humanity and our struggle to serve God with all our failings.  I love the way the story surprises the reader with Jael stepping forward to save Israel.  Or Barak, who is willing to follow God's command if Deborah will go with him.  Or the image of Deborah judging cases underneath her palm tree.  Rich images that resonate with our humanness.

“Women at Work” October 7, 2012; FPC, Troy, Judges 4; Judges series

Introduction: Another week of Judges. I had dinner with a colleague of mine this week. We were talking about what we doing in worship. I told him I was preaching a series on Judges. He said, “why?” “Because those are great stories,” I replied. “Yeah, but after you read the story, what do you do with it?”

that is the question isn't it?

Another week with the story beginning with the Israelites again doing evil in God's sight and being defeated because of it.

Another week with an assassination and war.

This time the adversary is King Jabin, whose army commander is Sisera, and has nine hundred chariots at his disposal.

Another week of fascinating characters.

Move 1: again, we discover the God who works with surprising people.

a. The featured judge this week is Deborah, not only a woman but a prophetess.

1. This great image of Deborah underneath the palm tree judging cases that the Israelites brought to her.
2. A woman in a position of power and authority in a time when that was not the norm for women.
3. Note – she still is referred to as “Deborah, wife of Lappidoth...” As other women in her time, who she is depends on her husband or father or some other male in the household.
4. But as the story plays out, we realize that she is an imprtant, pwoerful person. Not just giving good advice, but commanding Barak to go into battle, and even joining him as they lead the Israelite soldiers.
5. Deborah is a surprising judge, but certainly one up to the task.

b. The surprises continue.

1. As the story plays itself out, she tells Barak that Sisera would be defeated by a woman.
   2. naturally, we expect that woman to be Deborah, the judge, the one who commands Barak.
   3. But instead the one who kills Sisera is Jael, a minor character, who ordinarily would not be noticed.

4. She seemingly lives out the hospitality codes of the time and provides a place to sleep for Sisera as he flees from battle.
4. In fact, when Sisera asks for water, she provides him with milk. What a great hostess – providing a place to take a nap and some milk to help Sisera get to sleep.
5. a great hostess up until the minute she hammers the tent peg through his head!
Surprise for Sisera – surprise for the reader. The minor woman character becomes the one who saves Israel.


Move 2: what do we do with Barak? Boo or applaud him?

a. When Deborah tells him that God wants him to go defeat the enemy Barak wavers.

1. Instead of rushing off to do what God has told him to do, he hedges his bets.

2. How would you respond if the person who spoke God's Word to you told you that God wanted you to do x, y and z. Would you do?

3. He tells Deborah that he'll go do what God wants him to do, but only if she will go with him.

4.  Hardly a picture of faithfulness and commitment.

b. On the other hand, do not forget that Barak does lead the Israelites into battle with Deborah.

1. Despite his doubts and hesitation, he does respond.

2. do we give him credit for doing what God asks, however reluctantly he does so?

100. Stop for a minute and summarize the people in this story who save the Israelites.

1. A woman in power in a time when women are not in power.

2. A man who is not really sure he wants to do what God tells him to do.

3. a nondescript woman who uses the hospitality codes of the time to lure Sisera to his death.

The story gives hope to each of us that God can and will use us, but it might be in surprising ways.

Move 3: God delivers Israel against all odds.

a. In the description of the battle we may miss the significance of the weapons being described.

1. Sisera and his men had 900 chariots. It is also worth noting that chariots were not generally used to break through the enemy's line, but to pursue and slaughter the enemy as they fled. Chariots were grisly, killing machines, and the Israelites did not have any of them.

2.  Israel had swords.

3.  Chariots were much more powerful weapons than swords.

4.  Sort of like David with his slingshot against Goliath and his huge sword.

5.  Bettors put their money on Sisera.

b. But Israel and its undermanned army wins.

1. Somehow, the swords overwhelm the chariots.

2. Well, not somehow. We know how the Israelites defeat the enemy – God hands the enemy over to the Israelites.

3. God's desire to save Israel carries the day.

Conclusion: It is a bit odd to be reading a story of war and killing as we celebrate World Communion and collect the Peacemaking offering.


 Of course, we pray for peace each week in a world that continues to be at war.


It's hard to figure out what God is doing in Judges, except to note that God's plan to save the Israelites in the stories we read from Judges leads to the battlefield.


But we also know this: that when God decided to redeem and save the world from sin and death, God did not go to war, God came in the flesh, in the person of Jesus Christ, whose victory took place on the cross, where he willingly died for us..

So we come to our Lord's Table as people who are sometimes hesitant in our faith, people who find God full of surprises, and as people whom God loves and desires to save. Amen.