* God is spirit - He’s not male or female.
* In Genesis 2 we see God made “them” in HIS image - both male and female are His image.
* In the Bible we see the fatherly spirit AND the motherly (Matthew 23:37) spirits of God.
* We see God working through men and women.
* Eastern culture was and is a very male dominated culture.
* Deborah arose a mother in Israel (Judges 5:7).
* She was a very well known prophetess who became a deliverer for the people.
* This was probably a great encouragement to women.
* She heard the peoples’ cries and spoke to Barak God’s command to lead them into battle.
* Prophets didn’t go into battle - commanders did.
* vs 8 - Barak says, “I won’t go unless you go.”
* Hebrews 11:32 - Barak was commended for his faith.
* vs 9 - Deborah gave him the warning - “you won’t get the credit.”
* In a male dominated culture the person who got the credit was “the man!”
* Barak didn’t care about all that - he didn’t care what it looked like.
* He wanted the presence of God, and Deborah represented that.
* vs 21 - Deborah’s prophesy came true - Jael is now seen as the deliverer.
* But Barak was mentioned by Paul in Hebrews.
* vs 5:15 - The men of Issachar, who understood the times, went with Deborah into battle.
* You would think if it wasn’t right for her to be there then they would’ve stayed back.
Judges 4:4-8 (4/11/19)
Deborah
April 11, 2019 • Benham Brothers
Judges 1 (4/12/18)
April 12, 2018 • Benham Brothers
* The Israelites had ownership of the land but they did not possess it. * They had the power and the authority, but they refused to walk in authority and use their power. * They “could” not take the land because they “would” not. * Why? * 1) They were slothful and cowardly. * 2) They were covetous - they wanted the Canaanites’ labour and money would do them more good than harm. * 3) They pitied those who would lead them astray - they didn’t have the proper view toward the dangers of idolatry. * 4) They didn’t truly believe they could defeat them.
Judges 1:19 (4/13/17)
April 13, 2017 • Benham Brothers
* Luke 9:1 - God has given us two things: * Power - the “ability” to do something. * Authority - the “right” to do something. * As Christians we have BOTH! * ** Side note - Judas had authority as well. * In Judges 1:19 we see that the Israelites owned all the land, but they didn’t possess all of it, so they couldn’t enjoy it. * They “failed” to drive them out because they “refused” to do it. * The Israelites had the authority and power to possess the entire land, but they didn’t. * Judges 1:27-36 - all of these tribes went from defeat to defeat. * We walk in defeat when we cease to walk in faith. * Judges 2:1-3 - the reason they couldn’t drive out the inhabitants - they hadn’t done their part by staying set apart from the people. * If we do our part God will do His part.
Judges 3:1 (4/12/18)
April 12, 2018 • Benham Brothers
* God turned the Israelites failure of driving out the Canaanites into something that could be positive. * For the Israelites who didn’t know how to fight it would teach them how to be warriors. * This is a picture of what we are to do with sin - drive it out! * This will require a FIGHT. * The Israelites had to learn to be militant and so do we.