January 22, 2024

Even though women may seem to be second place to men in the Bible, God clarifies that we are very valuable to Him. Deborah was one of the judges in Israel and had a solid connection to God; she was called a prophetess and could hear the voice of God. Even though the Bible doesn't mention it, it is said that she made wicks for the lamps of the Tabernacle. She helped provide the lighting in God's house! Israel was being oppressed by Jabin, king of Canaan, who had many iron chariots. Israel cried out to God for help. Deborah sent and called for Barak to gather men for war, but he was timid to go against them. However, Deborah got word from God that they would defeat Canaan, but Barak wouldn't engage the enemy unless Deborah went. She was confident that he had heard the same thing as she did and encouraged him. She agreed to go with him but warned that a woman would overshadow his accomplishments. They kill all of the soldiers of Canaan but their leader, Sisera. He got away and hid in the tent of Jael, Heber's wife, who gave him milk to drink and covered him with a rug. While he was fast asleep, she drove a tent peg into his head, killing him; she wasn't even an Israelite, but she became the heroine of the story. 

God speaks to us every day, but we sometimes miss it because he is not loud or intrusive; we know it's him because what he tells us is the right thing to do, but we want to go our own way. If you think you hear him, stop and verify it with him through prayer. Ultimately, our best way to hear his voice is through scripture, but he does speak in other ways when you learn to tune him in. 

And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this is the day in which the LORD hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the LORD gone out before thee? So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him. Judges 4:14