Bible Pathway - Mar. 23, 2012
Read Judges 3
Highlights:
Othniel judges and delivers Israel; Israel's sin; their enslavery by Moabites; Moabites defeated by Ehud; Deborah and Barak deliver Israel from Jabin, king of Canaan; death of Sisera; the song of Deborah and Barak.
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 (Judg. 4:14).
Because of Israel's sins, God permitted Jabin, king of Canaan, to conquer them. We have no record of Barak or any other man in Israel praying for the Lord's guidance or deliverance during their twenty years of oppression.
Deborah's faith in the Word of God gave her the courage to urge Barak to go to war against Sisera and the 900 chariots of iron. Barak was afraid to face Sisera who had a powerful army with 900 chariots. He insisted that Deborah go with him to battle. With confidence in God and a prophetic message of victory, Deborah boldly led the way. Through her spiritual leadership God brought peace to the land for forty years (5:31).
The name Deborah means the Word. It is the Word of God and intercessory prayer that delivers us from the oppressor. He sent His Word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions (Ps. 107:20).
The Lord is seeking persons today who will intercede in prayer on behalf of His people. His Word tells us He is willing and waiting to release His people from the power of sin, but too many are willing captives of Satan and love this present evil age. And He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore His arm brought salvation unto Him; and His righteousness, it sustained Him (Is. 59:16).
God never chooses anyone because of their exceptional wisdom, military ability, political influence, or skillful leadership. The source of their strength and ability is the Spirit of the Lord (Judg. 3:10; 6:34; 14:6,19).
For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called . . . no flesh should glory in His presence (I Cor. 1: 26,29).
Thought for Today:
The Lord desires to release His people from the power of sin. But too many are willing captives of Satan.
Christ Portrayed:
By Othniel, a deliverer upon whom the Spirit of the Lord rested (Judg. 3:9-11). The Spirit of God was also upon Christ, our Deliverer (Matt. 3:16). There shall come out of Sion (Zion) the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob (Rom. 11:26). Jesus declared: The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me . . . to preach deliverance to the captives (Luke 4:18).
Word Studies:
3:7 groves, idols, trees or poles set up near an altar for idol worship; 3:13 gathered, recruited; 3:18 made an end to offer the present, finished giving the tribute; bare, carried; 3:19 Keep silence, Leave us alone; 3:24 covereth his feet, taking a nap; 4:13 Gentiles, nations; 4:15 discomfited, struck terror in; 4:16 host, army; fell upon the edge of the sword, were killed; 5:10 ride on white asses, hold public offices; 5:11 go down to the gates, defend themselves; 5:14 root, few; 5:15 princes, rulers; 5:18 jeoparded, risked; 5:30 sped, found (the enemy); divers, various.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Staff: Barbara Jean Jackson • Government Official: Rep. Nydia M. Velazquez (NY) • Country: Uzbekistan (24.4 million) central Asia • Major languages: Uzbek and Russian • Limited religious freedom due to Islamic influence • 68.2% Muslim (largely Sunni); 4.4% Russian Orthodox; .2% Roman Catholic; .2% Protestant; .5% Jewish; .5% Other; .2% Baha'i; .3% Buddhist; 25.5% nonreligious/other • Prayer Suggestion: Pray without anger or resentment in your heart (I Tim. 2:8).
Optional Reading: John 14
Memory Verse for the Week: Philippians 2:15
