Judges: female leadership and a man's role

If there was a time period in the bible that would best represent our culture today it would be the time of the judges. There was political and economic upheaval, moral decline, and a lack of male leadership. In Judges 5, Deborah the first female judge in Israel, leads the nation to victory over their enemies. A man could have led the way but he lacked the faith and courage to step up to the plate. We live in a day when God is raising up women to fill the role of a man. What will it take for men to rise up and give themselves to a greater cause? In Judges 5:2, Deborah writes a song that will help us understand what led to national revival:

 

            “Then sang Deborah and Barak… “That the leaders took the lead in Israel, that the people offered themselves willingly, bless the LORD!”

 

In the very first stanza of the song, so much is communicated. Deborah teaches us that finally, the leaders took the lead and finally the people offered willingly.  Stepping up to the plate of servant leadership and being willing to do whatever God is asking you to do to serve Him is what is required; this is what changes a home, a church, a community, and a nation. When we start here, God’s redemption in our homes and churches opens the door for redemption in our communities and nation.

 

In the same song Deborah encourages the leaders by saying,

 

            “My heart goes out to the commanders of Israel who offered themselves willingly among the people. Bless the LORD.”

 

She also includes a few stanzas of rebuke for those men who sat on the couch wasting their lives:

 

 “Why did you sit still…? why did you stay…?

 

She also writes that among these same men “there were great searchings of heart.” I never want to live my life wondering “what if.” We must act…we must do…we must rise up and move forward by faith. It is alright if we fail; but it is far better to try and do something than sit and hope things will get better.  I love how Deborah rebukes the men in her song who were sitting at home with a guilty conscience. She writes, “Zebulun is a people who risked their lives to death; Naphtali, too, on the heights of the field.” Deborah lets the “sitters” know that others are out their risking their lives.

 

I am hearing of men who are losing their jobs. What a great opportunity for them to seek the Lord and find out how He would use them for His glory. For those men who have had great paying jobs, benefits, and security and now find themselves unemployed—be willing to do whatever God asks you to do…Seek first His kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” God is shaking things up and moving things around…He is providing opportunities to serve Him by faith. He is in complete control…we can trust Him.