Throughout time, God has chosen “what is weak in the world to shame the strong” (1 Cor 1:27-29). His aim? “To show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us” (2 Cor 4:7). One of his great Old Testament “instruments”? Deborah, who “arose as a mother in Israel” (Jud 5:7).
In Deborah’s day, spiritual decay was crumbling Israel from within. For generations, the people had failed to separate themselves from evil. “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” As a result, the LORD had sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan (Jud 4:1-3).
At this point in history, Deborah was God’s answer to Israel’s cry for help. And though she lived thousands of years ago, there is a sense that the call of God continues to sound: “Awake, Deborah! Arise, Barak!” (Jud 5:12). This sermon explores Deborah’s story and the call to courageously act, even in difficult times. It was delivered on April 1, 2012.
