Podcasts about Sisera

Genesis 3:15 establishes a cosmic war between good and evil that shapes the entire Bible. This divine promise—that the seed of the woman would crush the serpent's head—creates a thread of conflict running from Genesis to Revelation. Explore how this promise unfolds in three powerful biblical narratives: Joshua's defeat of the five Amorite kings, Jael's victory over Sisera, and Esther's triumph over Haman. Each story reveals a consistent pattern: God's people are oppressed, then delivered; the enemy is defeated; and God is glorified. This pattern points to Jesus Christ, who as the perfect seed of the woman, crushes Satan's head at the cross. Discover how this ancient promise impacts your daily spiritual battles and gives you confidence in God's sovereign plan. Learn to be ruthless with sin, trust God's orchestration of every detail in your life, live in the victory Christ has already won, and recognize God's presence even when He seems distant. If you're struggling with defeat, discouragement, or doubt, this message will help you see your circumstances through the lens of God's unfolding redemptive plan.

Even with all the support actors in Judges 4 of Deborah, Barak, Sisera, Jael, and others, it is the will and actions of God that brings victory over Israel's enemy.

In these chapters we meet two heroines through whom God delivered His people- Deborah and Jael. Deborah means bee and she brought sweetness for Israel and a destructive sting for Sisera and his host. She inspired Barak, whose name means lightning, to attack from the heights of Mount Tabor – a position from which escape was impossible with 10,000 men who trusted in God to deliver them. Barak was hesitant in allowing himself to rise to the heights of faith unless strongly encouraged by a mother in Israel, a prophetess of immense faith. Many a brother reluctantly takes on a task only because a wonderful woman stands up to support him. Barak placed his life and the 10,000 courageous men of Naphtali to place themselves at Yahweh's disposal. Let us too, despite our shortcomings, make ourselves available to do our Sovereign's will. When we do we will like Barak find strength in our time of need and the evidence of the Almighty energetically working in concert with His children. Despite our weaknesses the LORD uses His instruments to do His work. Sisera fled, only for the mighty general to fall victim to a courageous and faithful woman. Sisera fell victim to an insignificant tent peg. The praise and thanksgiving to God is celebrated in Deborah's song. Deborah describes the desperate and vulnerable state in which Israel found themselves. But the situation was changed by women and men who overcame by their faith and helped the Almighty to deliver His people. The prophetess also calls upon the LORD to judge those who apathetically fled the fight. Let us never underestimate the power of faithful women to inspire courageous activity in the ecclesia of the Living God.

In these chapters we meet two heroines through whom God delivered His people- Deborah and Jael. Deborah means bee and she brought sweetness for Israel and a destructive sting for Sisera and his host. She inspired Barak, whose name means lightning, to attack from the heights of Mount Tabor – a position from which escape was impossible with 10,000 men who trusted in God to deliver them. Barak was hesitant in allowing himself to rise to the heights of faith unless strongly encouraged by a mother in Israel, a prophetess of immense faith. Many a brother reluctantly takes on a task only because a wonderful woman stands up to support him. Barak placed his life and the 10,000 courageous men of Naphtali to place themselves at Yahweh's disposal. Let us too, despite our shortcomings, make ourselves available to do our Sovereign's will. When we do we will like Barak find strength in our time of need and the evidence of the Almighty energetically working in concert with His children. Despite our weaknesses the LORD uses His instruments to do His work. Sisera fled, only for the mighty general to fall victim to a courageous and faithful woman. Sisera fell victim to an insignificant tent peg. The praise and thanksgiving to God is celebrated in Deborah's song. Deborah describes the desperate and vulnerable state in which Israel found themselves. But the situation was changed by women and men who overcame by their faith and helped the Almighty to deliver His people. The prophetess also calls upon the LORD to judge those who apathetically fled the fight. Let us never underestimate the power of faithful women to inspire courageous activity in the ecclesia of the Living God. Isaiah 32 is yet another encouraging vision which lifts the mind of the troubled believer from the disturbances of the present and encourages us all to hang on until the Lord's coming. When our Lord Jesus reigns as the righteous king from Zion and his princes execute justice in the earth the faithful will flourish. Verses 2-8 tell of the responses of the downtrodden and the contempt in which the vile and oppressors will be held. Verses 9-14 warn of the LORD's judgements on the proud and complacent women of Zion. These judgments will bring the contemptuous low and prepare the faithful remnant for the blessings Messiah will bring. Verses 15-20 describe Yahweh's spirit being poured upon His people.The Promised Land will abound with fruit. The extremities of the kingdom will experience righteousness and justice. Verses 17 ESV reads: “And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust for ever”. Note that there can be no peace without righteousness. When the Lord Jesus was born the angels sang: “Glory to God in the highest and earth peace to men of good will”. The principle is explained in James 3:13-18. Read these verses slowly aloud and pause and ponder there meaning for you. And so the final three verses of Isaiah 32 give us a vision to cheer us and encourage us to strive to be with our Lord in his glorious kingdom. James 2 was a hotly debated chapter at the time of the Reformation. Martin Luther totally misunderstood the message of James 2 and declared the letter of James to be, “A straw letter”. Luther was wrong. James argues that atonement is not based on faith alone; but upon a faith that actively works, being energised by love to purify our hearts (Galatians 5:1-6). Paul and James do not present conflicting arguments, but they are in fact complementary – John Thomas, a Christadelphian writer wrote in ‘Elpis Israel' (published in 1850), “Abraham the sinner was justified by faith, but Abraham the saint was justified by his works”. Ephesians 2:4-10 expresses the truth that works are the response of the LORD's children performed in gratitude to God's grace. Verses 1-13 of James 2 deal with the sin of partiality. This is a sin to which we are all prone. We are all equal in God's eyes. James says the prominent, the posers, the powerful are shown preference. How evil is this! The Bible stresses the need to look after the poor and the vulnerable. Chapter 1 ended on this note. How magnificent and majestic are the words of verse 5 – read slowly, pause and ponder. We must modify our attitudes and behaviours if we are to be the children of our Father. James declared that the very ones to whom you are partial are your persecutors and oppressors. God's royal law is the law of Love. It is Royal as it reigns supreme above all other laws. It cannot be measured, nor can it be legislated. And yet it will be the basis of our being judged by our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming (compare Romans 13:8-10). Mercy is received when mercy is the basis of our dealings with others. From verses 14-26 the writer establishes, from the Scriptures, the uselessness of a faith without without works. James gives the example of sensitivity to spiritual needs, yet a total insensitivity to life's essentials – how incongruous, and yet this so often happens. Faith cannot be demonstrated in a vacuum. Even demented people can show a fearful, but pointless faith (belief). The evidence of faith is seen in action (the writer to the Hebrews showed this in the 11th chapter). Abraham and Rahab are the evidence of James' argument. Faith without works is as useful as a corpse without breath.

Judges 4 – “Deborah and Barak: Victory Through Prophetic Leadership” In this chapter, Israel is oppressed by King Jabin of Canaan, and his army commander Sisera. God raises up Deborah, a prophetess and judge, who calls Barak to lead Israel's army. With God's help, they defeat Sisera's forces. The unexpected hero, Jael, kills Sisera by driving a tent peg through his head, fulfilling God's promise of victory through the hands of a woman. Psalms 4 – “Peace in the Night: A Song of Trust” David cries out to God in the midst of distress, appealing for mercy and justice. He urges the people to trust in the Lord rather than in falsehood or wealth. The psalm ends with a calm assurance—David can sleep in peace because his safety comes not from circumstance, but from the presence of God. #Judges4 #DeborahTheProphetess #Barak #JaelTheWarrior #BibleStory #WomenOfTheBible #VictoryInGod #OldTestament #FaithAndCourage #SendMeRadio #BibleHeroes #GodDelivers #BlackBibleArt #SpiritualLeadership #BiblicalJusticeBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sendme-radio--732966/support.

Death of Sisera - Judg. 5:26

OPEN HEAVENSMATALA LE LAGI MO LE ASO GAFUA 2 IUNI 2025(tusia e Pastor EA Adeboye) Manatu Autu: O se Pese Fou (A New Song) Tauloto –  Salamo 40:3 “Ua tu‘uina mai e ia le pese fou i lo‘u gutu, o le vi‘iga i lo tatou Atua; e iloa ai e le to‘atele, e matata‘u fo‘i i latou ma latou fa‘atuatua i le ALI‘I.” Faitauga - Tusi Paia:  Esoto 15:1-21 E iai se talavou ma maua sona avanoa e aoga ai i se Iunivesite i atunuu i fafo ma ua faia le fiafia a lo latou aiga. Peitai ao faia le latou fiafia, na faia se tala a se tasi o fili a lona tama e faapea, 'A alu lenei tama i fafo ma manuia, e foi mai ma faatau se taavale a lona tama. O le a ou avea iai se mea e alu ma ia e aua ai nei manuia' ona ia faia lea o ni vai faataulaitu e sauāina ai lenei talavou. Na oo le talavou i lana aoga ma ua amata na faalogoina le tigā o lona tino. Na vaai ma suesue lelei e fomai ae ua le mafai ona iloa tonu lona ma'i. Ina ua maea le ono tausaga o le ma'i tigaina, na ia toe foi mai i Nigeria, ma ua sau i se tasi o matou polokalame na faia i se aoga. Ao ou lauga, na taia o ia i le mana o le Atua ona mou faafuasei ese lea o ona tiga. Ua amata alaga, 'Ua alu ese le tiga!'. Ua avatu ia te ia e le Atua se pese fou ma aveesea tausaga e ono o sauaga ma le tigaina, ma e mafai e le Atua ona faia foi i soo se tagata e alaga atu ia te ia i le faatuatua (Roma 10:11-13).  I le tausaga 1994, na faia se polokalame a le Ekalesia RCCG i Lagos e taua 'O le taua o atua'. O se tasi o tama na auai mai i le polokalamane, na sau ma ni ma'i matautia se fa, o le toto maualuga, suka, fiva o le faiai ma le ma'i fatu. Na fautua e fomai e sii ma'i i fafo mo togafitiga, ma ao sauni atu e malaga, na filifili e sau muamua i se matou plokalame. Na pai ia te ia le mana o le Atua Matautia, na faamaloloina i nei ma'i uma e fa ma ua tuuina atu e le Atua ia te ia se pese fou. Fai mai le Salamo 126:1-21Na fa‘afoisia mai e le ALI‘I o Siona nai le tāfeaga, ‘ona tusa ai lea o i tatou ma tagata ‘ua fai a latou miti. 2‘Ona tumu ai lea o tatou gutu i le featani, ma o tatou laulaufaiva i le leo fiafia; ‘ona latou fa‘apea ane lea i nu‘u ‘ese, “‘Ua faia e le ALI‘I mea tetele mo i latou.” O se tasi o faailoga ua suia e le Atua saisaitiaga o tagata, o latou laulaufaiva ua faatumulia i le loe fiafia. O pese fou e momoli faatasi mai ma le faasaolotoga, faaolataga ma vavega. I le faitauga o le Tusi Paia o le aso, ina ua maea ona sopoia e le fanauga a Isaraelu le sami ulaula, ma vaavaai i le maleleo o latou fili, na latou pepese i pese fou i le Atua. Na tusia e Miriama ma Mose ni pese fou, ma na pepese uma ai tagata e vivii i le Atua mo vavega matagofie. Na pese foi Tepora i se pese fou ina avatu e le Atua le manumalo iai latou mai ia Sisera ma Iapino le tupu o Kanana (Faamasino 5:1-31). O Hana leisi tagata na maua se pese fou mai le Alii ina ua maea ona fanau mai Samuelu (1 Samuelu 2:1-10). Ou te tatalo ia faatumuina e le Alii lou fofoga i pese o le olioli ma le ataata ma avatu i tagata uma o lou aiga pese fou ae lei maea lenei tausaga, i le suafa o Iesu.  TataloLe Alii e, faamolemole ia e faatumu lo'u gutu I pese fou o lou agalelei ma le alofa mutimutivale, I le suafa o Iesu, Amene.

Podcast Eli Suli SHOFETIM SHIRAT (Canto) DEBORA, YAEL Y SISERA Conferencia

SHOFETIM, SHIRAT (El Canto) DEBORA, YAEL Y SISERA by Eli Suli

In this episode, we dive into the story of Deborah, the fearless prophetess and only female judge of Israel, found in Judges 4–5. After the death of Ehud, Israel falls back into idolatry and ends up under the iron grip of Canaanite King Jabin and his war chief, Sisera. But God's plan unfolds through Deborah, a reluctant general named Barak, and an unexpected heroine, Jael, who drives a tent peg straight into history. We'll explore the political intrigue, military might, and divine intervention that led to one of the Bible's most riveting victories. Tune in for ancient chariots, prophetic leadership, and muddy battlefield miracles.   If you'd like to support "The History of the Bible", visit our Patreon Page at https://patreon.com/TheHistoryoftheBible. Your feedback is valuable to us! Share your thoughts and insights via our feedback form at https://forms.gle/AtzUReJ8gLuFYPaP8. Let us know how our podcast has impacted you or someone you know by filling out our impact form at https://forms.gle/jr4EdGsqCaFk4qZm8. If you have concerns about any information presented, please inform us via our correction form at https://forms.gle/PiMMkPnJFaa4j5p37.   #Deborah #JudgeDeborah #WomenInTheBible #BibleStories #OldTestament #BookOfJudges #Sisera #Jael #Barak #ChariotsOfIron #BiblicalHistory #FaithHeroes #BiblePodcast #ChristianPodcast #Prophetess #IsraeliteHistory #BattleOfKishon #MountTabor #JaelAndSisera #FemaleLeadersInTheBible #ChristianContent #BibleExplained #GodsPlan #BiblicalWomen #AncientWarfare #FaithAndCourage #ScriptureStudy #BibleLessons #SpiritualLeadership

Deborah stands out as one of the inspiring figures in biblical history. As a prophetess, a judge and courageous leader, she rose above all expectations in a society driven by patriarchal influence. Her story, recorded in Judges 4 and 5, recounts her reliance on divine wisdom, as well as her decisive leadership and unwavering faith in God's promises, as she rallied Israel to victory against their oppressors. Superior military technology At the time Deborah served as a judge, Israel as a nation was subjugated by King Jabin of Hazor whose general, Sisera, commanded an army equipped with 900 iron chariots. These chariots were intimidating because they were markedly superior to any of the weapons of warfare Israel possessed. For 20 years, King Jabin and Sisera ruthlessly oppressed Israel until the people finally cried out to God for deliverance. God would answer their cry through the faithfulness of Deborah. Deborah received divine instruction to summon Barak, a military commander, and told him to gather 10,000 warriors from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun. She assured him that God would orchestrate the battle against Sisera at the Kishon River, ensuring victory. However, Barak hesitated and insisted that Deborah accompany him into battle. Deborah agreed but foretold that the ultimate victory—defeating Sisera—would be accomplished by a woman. The battle unfolded dramatically Barak led his forces to Mount Tabor, and Sisera responded by mobilizing his army with their superior military technology. God intervened by sending a sudden, torrential rainstorm, causing the battlefield to flood. Sisera's iron chariots, once a formidable advantage, become useless in the mud. His army was thrown into panic, and Barak pursued them, wiping out all of Sisera's forces. Prophecy fulfilled Though Sisera escaped the actual battle, he was killed by a woman who was not even from Israel. This small but important detail reinforces the sovereignty of God, as His word is always fulfilled, even if it is accomplished in unexpected ways. Deborah's leadership was marked by wisdom, humility and courage. She positioned herself to be used by God, patiently serving in her role as a judge until the time came for decisive action. Her ability to inspire faith and confidence in others played a crucial role in Israel's victory! Her story clearly reflects the importance of relying on God's guidance, acting with faith and recognizing godly leadership in unexpected places.

Pastor Damaris Solis brings this week's message, “Until I ____ Arose!" Judges 4:1-10 ESV: “And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord after Ehud died. And the Lord sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. The commander of his army was Sisera, who lived in Harosheth-hagoyim. Then the people of Israel cried out to the Lord for help, for he had 900 chariots of iron and he oppressed the people of Israel cruelly for twenty years. Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time. She used to sit under the palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the people of Israel came up to her for judgment. She sent and summoned Barak the son of Abinoam from Kedesh-naphtali and said to him, “Has not the Lord, the God of Israel, commanded you, ‘Go, gather your men at Mount Tabor, taking 10,000 from the people of Naphtali and the people of Zebulun. And I will draw out Sisera, the general of Jabin's army, to meet you by the river Kishon with his chariots and his troops, and I will give him into your hand'?” Barak said to her, “If you will go with me, I will go, but if you will not go with me, I will not go.” And she said, “I will surely go with you. Nevertheless, the road on which you are going will not lead to your glory, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.” Then Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh. And Barak called out Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh. And 10,000 men went up at his heels, and Deborah went up with him.” Judges 5:7 ESV: “The villagers ceased in Israel; they ceased to be until I arose; I, Deborah, arose as a mother in Israel.” If you enjoyed the podcast, please subscribe and share it with your friends on social media. For more information about PNEUMA Church, visit our website at mypneumachurch.org.  Connect with Us: Instagram: https://instagram.com/mypneumachurch YouTube: https://youtube.com/mypneumachurch Facebook: https://facebook.com/mypneumachurch Time Stamps: 00:00 - Introduction 00:30 - Welcome 04:18 - Judges 4:1-10 ESV 06:13 - Judges 5:17 ESV 07:08 - Until I ____ Arose!

(...) “Dispõe-te, porque este é o dia em que o SENHOR entregou Sísera nas tuas mãos. Porventura não marchou Yahweh à tua frente?”( Jz 4:14)Nossos olhos sempre definirão resultados diante dos cenários que eles absorvem. Uma guerra nunca foi um ambiente de conforto, mas sempre um ambiente de confronto. E no confronto, a hipótese de morrer ou perder causam medo, e o medo paralisa retirando de nós a possibilidade de conquistas. Nesse processo a visão do intransponível diz para o teu espírito que é impossível. Mas para aqueles que carregam a arca, impossíveis são conceitos que acionam milagres e intransponíveis são definições que te farão erguer altares. É no altar da adoração, do incenso, da entrega que o amor lança fora o medo. Ali eu entendo que a vitória não é medida pelo tamanho ou pela quantidade do exército inimigo, mas pela presença exclusiva do Deus que marcha comigo. Débora disse para Baraque “ dispõe-te”, esteja à disposição, te levanta, te prepara porque o Senhor entregou Sisera em tuas mãos. Debora estava dizendo ponha tua armadura, apronte tuas armas, faça sua parte e não se intimide pela competência daquele que está vindo pra te destruir, mas avance pelo poder Daquele vai adiante de Ti. Porventura não marchou Yahweh à tua frente? Quando Deus se posiciona, Ele destrona. Quando Deus combate, Ele abate. Então alinhe os teus olhos, confie e veja na marcha do Leão a garantia dos inimigos que serão abatidos e a posse dos despojos que te serão devolvidos. O Leão que marcha à tua frente nunca tosqueneja, então se prepare, porque quando Ele entra não há inferno que subsista na peleja.

05/04/2025 Rev. Paul Bang Nehemiah 7:5-73     5 Then my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles and the officials and the people to be enrolled by genealogy. And I found the book of the genealogy of those who came up at the first, and I found written in it: 6 These were the people of the province who came up out of the captivity of those exiles whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried into exile. They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his town. 7 They came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel: 8 the sons of Parosh, 2,172. 9 The sons of Shephatiah, 372. 10 The sons of Arah, 652. 11 The sons of Pahath-moab, namely the sons of Jeshua and Joab, 2,818. 12 The sons of Elam, 1,254. 13 The sons of Zattu, 845. 14 The sons of Zaccai, 760. 15 The sons of Binnui, 648. 16 The sons of Bebai, 628. 17 The sons of Azgad, 2,322. 18 The sons of Adonikam, 667. 19 The sons of Bigvai, 2,067. 20 The sons of Adin, 655. 21 The sons of Ater, namely of Hezekiah, 98. 22 The sons of Hashum, 328. 23 The sons of Bezai, 324. 24 The sons of Hariph, 112. 25 The sons of Gibeon, 95. 26 The men of Bethlehem and Netophah, 188. 27 The men of Anathoth, 128. 28 The men of Beth-azmaveth, 42. 29 The men of Kiriath-jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, 743. 30 The men of Ramah and Geba, 621. 31 The men of Michmas, 122. 32 The men of Bethel and Ai, 123. 33 The men of the other Nebo, 52. 34 The sons of the other Elam, 1,254. 35 The sons of Harim, 320. 36 The sons of Jericho, 345. 37 The sons of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, 721. 38 The sons of Senaah, 3,930. 39 The priests: the sons of Jedaiah, namely the house of Jeshua, 973. 40 The sons of Immer, 1,052. 41 The sons of Pashhur, 1,247. 42 The sons of Harim, 1,017. 43 The Levites: the sons of Jeshua, namely of Kadmiel of the sons of Hodevah, 74. 44 The singers: the sons of Asaph, 148. 45 The gatekeepers: the sons of Shallum, the sons of Ater, the sons of Talmon, the sons of Akkub, the sons of Hatita, the sons of Shobai, 138. 46 The temple servants: the sons of Ziha, the sons of Hasupha, the sons of Tabbaoth, 47 the sons of Keros, the sons of Sia, the sons of Padon, 48 the sons of Lebana, the sons of Hagaba, the sons of Shalmai, 49 the sons of Hanan, the sons of Giddel, the sons of Gahar, 50 the sons of Reaiah, the sons of Rezin, the sons of Nekoda, 51 the sons of Gazzam, the sons of Uzza, the sons of Paseah, 52 the sons of Besai, the sons of Meunim, the sons of Nephushesim, 53 the sons of Bakbuk, the sons of Hakupha, the sons of Harhur, 54 the sons of Bazlith, the sons of Mehida, the sons of Harsha, 55 the sons of Barkos, the sons of Sisera, the sons of Temah, 56 the sons of Neziah, the sons of Hatipha. 57 The sons of Solomon's servants: the sons of Sotai, the sons of Sophereth, the sons of Perida, 58 the sons of Jaala, the sons of Darkon, the sons of Giddel, 59 the sons of Shephatiah, the sons of Hattil, the sons of Pochereth-hazzebaim, the sons of Amon. 60 All the temple servants and the sons of Solomon's servants were 392. 61 The following were those who came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer, but they could not prove their fathers' houses nor their descent, whether they belonged to Israel: 62 the sons of Delaiah, the sons of Tobiah, the sons of Nekoda, 642. 63 Also, of the priests: the sons of Hobaiah, the sons of Hakkoz, the sons of Barzillai (who had taken a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by their name). 64 These sought their registration among those enrolled in the genealogies, but it was not found there, so they were excluded from the priesthood as unclean. 65 The governor told them that they were not to partake of the most holy food until a priest with Urim and Thummim should arise. 66 The whole assembly together was 42,360, 67 besides their male and female servants, of whom there were 7,337. And they had 245 singers, male and female. 68 Their horses were 736, their mules 245, 69 their camels 435, and their donkeys 6,720. 70 Now some of the heads of fathers' houses gave to the work. The governor gave to the treasury 1,000 darics of gold, 50 basins, 30 priests' garments and 500 minas of silver. 71 And some of the heads of fathers' houses gave into the treasury of the work 20,000 darics of gold and 2,200 minas of silver. 72 And what the rest of the people gave was 20,000 darics of gold, 2,000 minas of silver, and 67 priests' garments. 73 So the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, some of the people, the temple servants, and all Israel, lived in their towns. And when the seventh month had come, the people of Israel were in their towns.

In the tumultuous period following Joshua's death, Israel faced oppression under King Jabin and his general Sisera for 20 years. During this time of spiritual decline, God raised up Deborah as both prophetess and judge over Israel. When God chose Barak to lead the army, he refused to go without Deborah, leading her to step forward with remarkable courage despite it not being her intended role. Her faith and leadership proved crucial in Israel's victory.The story takes an unexpected turn when Sisera, fleeing from defeat, seeks refuge in Jael's tent. Though a Gentile woman, Jael courageously fulfilled God's prophecy through her bold actions. These two women exemplify how God uses unlikely people to accomplish His purposes through courageous faith. Their story teaches vital lessons about confronting fear, dealing decisively with evil, and trusting completely in God's plan, even when it seems improbable. Their examples challenge us to identify areas where fear holds us back and to take bold steps forward in faith. First Baptist Church depends on faithful and generous giving. Make an impact in the lives of others and promote the gospel of Christ by making an online contribution: https://fbclagrange.org/give/CCLI Streaming+ License 21007595Visit our website: https://fbclagrange.org

Our reading today begins by wrapping up the account of Deborah and Barak after Sisera's defeat. It's not long, however, before Israel turns, once again, to worship idols. The false gods of Baal and Asherah were meant to bring fertile crops and prosperity, but they only bring despair and a fractured relationship with the One True God. During a period of oppression by the Midianites, the Lord speaks to a young man named Gideon and calls upon him to destroy his father's idolatrous altars. Later, the spirit of the Lord envelops Gideon as he gathers troops for battle. The Lord then reduces the number of men who will go to battle to just 300 so that Israel will not forget the power of God and His merciful deliverance.Judges 5 - 1:01 . Judges 6 - 7:28 . Judges 7 - 16:49 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.facebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Our reading today begins by wrapping up the account of Deborah and Barak after Sisera's defeat. It's not long, however, before Israel turns, once again, to worship idols. The false gods of Baal and Asherah were meant to bring fertile crops and prosperity, but they only bring despair and a fractured relationship with the One True God. During a period of oppression by the Midianites, the Lord speaks to a young man named Gideon and calls upon him to destroy his father's idolatrous altars. Later, the spirit of the Lord envelops Gideon as he gathers troops for battle. The Lord then reduces the number of men who will go to battle to just 300 so that Israel will not forget the power of God and His merciful deliverance.Judges 5 – 1:13 . Judges 6 – 7:22 . Judges 7 – 16:49 . Psalm 72 – 23:15 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Be Bold & Be ObedientLuke 1:38 “Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.”This month in mentoring, the theme is “For Such A Time As This.” Last week, I talked about Joseph and Moses and how they were in the perfect place at the perfect time. It wasn't an easy road for them to get there. They were both broken and then they were positioned. Then I talked about Mary and Deborah. I explored how they went from being obedient to Empowered. This morning, we will look at how saying yes to God can change everything.“Obedience isn't about perfection. It's about saying yes to God—even when it doesn't make sense.” Often, God will ask us to do something, and we have no idea why he is asking us to do it. We don't feel qualified. We don't understand the plan, and sometimes, we just really don't want to do it. Also, God often asks for our 'yes' before He reveals the full plan. This is why obedience is so important. Our yes allows God to work within us and through us.Obedience is the bridge between calling and empowerment. So what this means is that being called to do something isn't enough—you don't just instantly arrive at empowerment. The way to get from calling to being empowered to carry it out is through obedience: taking steps in faith, even when it's hard, unclear, or uncomfortable. In other words, “You may have a purpose, but your obedience activates the power to walk in it.”Let's talk about Mary first. Mary was a young, willing vessel. Let's listen to Mary's Yes to the Lord in Luke 1:26-38. “In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth,  to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.  And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom, there will be no end.”  Mary said to the angel, “How can this be since I am a virgin?” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore, the child to be born[c] will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth, in her old age, has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren.  For nothing will be impossible with God.”  Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then, the angel departed from her.To Summarize:- God chose a young, ordinary girl to carry the Savior of the world.- Mary responded in faith, not fully understanding. Do you think if Mary had known the complete story, she would have said yes? This could be why we don't always know the full story before we have to answer, either. The person we are when we say Yes to the Lord is probably not the same person we will be at the end of the story. Mary was young when she said yes to all the Lord had planned for her. She was not the same young girl when she was sitting at the foot of the cross. She had many other experiences in her life that prepared her and trained her to be the woman she was at the foot of the cross.Mary's obedience unlocked the miracle of Jesus entering the world. Mary had free will, just like the rest of us. What if she had said no? Where would we be right now? Thank goodness for Mary's obedience!Now, we will talk about Deborah. Deborah was a prophetess and the only female judge mentioned in the Bible. Her story is found in Judges 4–5. She led Israel during a time of oppression under the Canaanite king Jabin and his army commander Sisera.Her position was that of Judge and Prophetess of Israel during the era of the Judges before Israel had kings. She provided wisdom, judgment, and spiritual leadership. People came to her for decisions and guidance. She summoned Barak, a military leader, and told him God commanded him to go to war against Sisera. (Judges 4:14) Barak agreed—but only if Deborah went with him. She did.Israel defeated the Canaanite army, and Sisera was ultimately killed by a woman named Jael. Deborah was a worshipper and Poet: Judges 5 records the Song of Deborah, a victory hymn celebrating God's deliverance and the bravery of those who fought.To Summarize:- She was a prophetess and judge in a time when women had little influence.- Her obedience in speaking and leading brought victory.- She led with courage, wisdom, and worship (Judges 5).What Obedience Looks Like1. **Saying Yes in the Unknown**  - Mary didn't have all the answers. Yet she said yes anyway.  - Obedience requires trust more than clarity. Mary could say yes because she knew it was the Lord asking, and she knew she could trust the Lord.2. **Speaking When It's Risky**  - Deborah spoke with authority even when it challenged norms. I am sure it was frowned upon at that time for a woman, even if she was a judge, to tell a military captain to go to war. Yet she did it anyway. Can you think of other people in the Bible who spoke up even when it was Risky?  - Your voice can unlock someone else's breakthrough. Can you imagine that? Can you imagine having the courage to speak up, even when risky, could unlock someone else's breakthrough? Has this happened to you before? Have you said something, and then someone else has had a breakthrough because of it? This happens a lot when praying over people for the prophetic word. Speaking the prophetic word to people takes courage because you aren't sure if what you are hearing is from the Lord or if it is just your own voice getting in your head. We tend to dismiss what we hear because it is far easier to believe that we are making stuff up than to believe that God is talking to us.However, God does talk to us. When we are brave and step out in faith and tell someone the prophetic word we hear from them, the word we hear may cause them to have a breakthrough. It is so beautiful to witness this, to see them realize how much God loves them and how much He really knows them.3. **Moving Despite Fear**  - Courage isn't the absence of fear; it's action in the face of it. My brother has this quote at the end of all of his emails, and I remember the first time I read it, I loved it. There will be times you want to quit every good thing you do in this life, persist. Courage is not the absence of fear; it is the mastery of it. If God is asking you to do something, trust that he will give you the courage you need to do it!4. **Worshiping Through the Process**  - Both Mary and Deborah responded with songs of praise.  - Worship shifts our focus from fear to faith.When We Obey, God Empowers- Obedience invites the Holy Spirit to move through us.- Empowerment is not about control or power but about being vessels of God's glory.- God equips those He calls—He never asks for a yes without backing it up with power. You may not feel qualified to do the thing God is asking you to do. However, He wouldn't be asking if He wasn't going to give you all you needed to do the job. If you feel unqualified, join the club. I don't remember reading a single story in the Bible where the person felt qualified to do what they were called to do. Except David when fighting Goliath, and this was only because he knew that he wasn't fighting Goliath alone. He knew the Lord was on his side and would defeat Goliath. Imagine how braver we would all be if we knew that, too.I want to leave you with these last thoughts.- You don't need to have it all figured out.- God honors your yes.- He turns willing hearts into powerful instruments.- Your obedience today could be the key to someone else's miracle tomorrow.I am also going to give you some questions to think about. I gave these to those in mentoring but they are great questions for all of us to think about today.1. **What is God asking you to say yes to?**2. **Where do you need to trust more and understand less?**3. **Who might be waiting for you to rise up like Deborah?**4. **What can you praise God for in the middle of your obedience?**If you have some time today, sit with the Lord and answer these questions together!Dear Heavenly Father, thank you to all those listening to this episode. Lord, I ask you to bless them and their families. Lord, we want to be obedient. Please help us. Help us to get out of our own heads. Help us to remember that if you are for us, who could be against us? Help us remember that you will give us the strength and courage to get everything done. If you call us, you will equip us. You will help us find the time, strength, and whatever else we need to do this thing you are calling us to do. We love you, Lord, and we are so grateful you never leave us alone to do these things. You are always there to do them with us. Thank you. We pray all of this in accordance with your will and in Jesus's holy name. Amen!!Thank you so much for joining me on this journey to walk boldly with Jesus. If you liked this episode, you will love mentoring. Click on the link in the show notes to check it out, or you can go to my website, walkboldlywithjesus.com. If you want to join mentoring this evening, it is not too late. Just sign up below, and you will get the Zoom link. It is tonight at 8 PM Eastern Time. I hope to see you there.Today's Word from the Lord was received in September 2024 by a member of my Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group. If you have any questions about the prayer group, these words, or how to join us for a meeting, please email CatholicCharismaticPrayerGroup@gmail.com. Today's Word from the Lord is, “Every moment of your life, can you remember it? Every moment from the day you were conceived in your mother's womb, I have tenderly held you in my arms. I'm there now as much as I've always been. I will be there at every moment until finally, I grasp you and take you into heaven with me forever.” www.findingtruenorthcoaching.comCLICK HERE TO DONATECLICK HERE to sign up for Mentoring CLICK HERE to sign up for Daily "Word from the Lord" emailsCLICK HERE to sign up for my newsletter & receive a free audio training about inviting Jesus into your daily lifeCLICK HERE to buy my book Total Trust in God's Safe Embrace

Synopsis: After God delivered Israel from Sisera and his 900 chariots of iron, Deborah and Sisera joined together in song to praise God. When leaders took the lead in the fear of God, when God's people willingly offered themselves to Him in faith and obedience, He gave them victory over their enemies and enduring rest. By God's grace, those who love God will shine like the sun in full strength. Verses in order of appearance: 2 Corinthians 9:7 Exodus 36:3 Judges 5:1-5 Judges 5:2 (KJV) Judges 5:6-9 Judges 5:10-12 Psalm 66:16-20 Habakkuk 2:19 Judges 5:13-18 Judges 5:19-23 Nehemiah 3:5 Judges 5:24-27 Judges 5:28-30 Romans 8:12-14 Judges 5:31 Isaiah 50:5-10

In this episode, we dive deep into Judges 4, exploring the incredible story of Deborah, Barak, and Jael—three unlikely heroes who defied expectations and secured a miraculous victory for Israel.Discover how Deborah's unwavering faith and leadership inspired a hesitant Barak, and how Jael's boldness delivered the final blow to the enemy commander, Sisera. This story challenges us to trust God's plans, even when they seem impossible. Join us as we unpack the powerful themes of courage, obedience, and the unexpected ways God brings deliverance.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/christian-talk--5139976/support.

Deborah was a prophetess who also judged Israel in a season when the Hebrews had been oppressed for decades by King Jabin of Canaan. Through her bold leadership God confirmed His call upon Barak to muster an army, and the LORD was faithful to defeat Sisera and his 900 chariots of iron. God uses unlikely people like Barak, Amos and Jael to do His will and overcome all odds, because God does the impossible. Verses in order of appearance: Judges 4:1-3 Judges 4:4-7 Judges 4:8-10 Hebrews 11:32-34 Judges 4:11-16 Amos 7:14-15 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 Judges 4:17-20 Judges 4:21-24 Judges 5:26 Psalm 83:9-10 Judges 5:24 Psalm 83:16-18 Verses mentioned but not displayed: John 9 Genesis 24:67 Genesis 31:33

We read in Parashat Pekudeh (40:2) of G-d's command to Moshe that the completed Mishkan should be erected on Rosh Hodesh Nissan, the first day of the month of Nissan. The Midrash tells that in truth, the artisans built the various parts of the Mishkan very quickly, and the Mishkan was ready to be assembled already earlier, on the 25 th of Kislev, a little over two months after the work began. However, Hashem decided to postpone the assembly of the Mishkan until the month of Nissan, due to the unique significance of this month. The Midrash continues that the 25 th of Kislev "protested," as it were, objecting to its having been denied the privilege of being a special day, the day of the Mishkan's inauguration. Hashem assured this day that it will be compensated – and, sure enough, many centuries later, the 25 th of Kislev became the first day of the joyous holiday of Hanukah, celebrating the Jews' miraculous triumph over the Greeks and the rededication of the Bet Ha'mikdash, which the Greeks had defiled. The day of 25 Kislev was at first denied its holiday – but it was later compensated with "interest." Whereas the first of Nissan, commemorating the inauguration of the temporary Mishkan, is not marked by a great deal of fanfare, the 25 th of Kislev became a day of great festivity observed by Jews around the world for millennia. The Midrash's comments bring to mind a different Midrashic account, regarding the fish in the Yam Suf (Sea of Reeds). When Hashem drowned the 600 Egyptian horsemen who had pursued Beneh Yisrael into the sea, the fish were overjoyed, and prepared to indulge in the robust feast that had just been presented to them. But just as they were set to eat, the bodies of the Egyptian horsemen were sent ashore. Beneh Yisrael feared that the soldiers had not drowned, but rather came ashore, and thus still posed a threat. In order to allay the people's concerns, Hashem had the sea expel the remains of the Egyptian warriors onto the shore where they were standing, so they would see them and know that their pursuers were indeed dead, and they were thus no longer in danger. The fish were, naturally, disappointed over the sudden loss of the large amounts of food that they thought they would soon be enjoying. Hashem repaid the fish years later, during the battle waged by Beneh Yisrael in the times of the prophetess Deborah against the army of Sisera. During this war, Hashem drowned the enemy's 900 chariots in the Kishon River. As compensation for having lost the 600 Egyptian horsemen – the fish were given 900 Canaanite soldiers. This is a reason given for the custom that many have to ensure to eat fish on Shabbat. Many people might have serious misgivings about closing their businesses on Shabbat, or about taking off from work, worrying about the loss of income. The fish reminds them that Hashem always repays in full – and with "interest" – for the sacrifices we make for Misvot. Whatever expense or loss we incur for the sake of a Misva is more than worth it – because we are guaranteed to receive much more than we've lost. The Gemara (Besa 15b) teaches that Hashem tells us: "My children! Borrow on My account to make the day [of Shabbat] sacred, and trust Me that I will repay." Hashem guarantees that all the money we spend for Shabbat and holidays is being charged to His account, and He will repay us in full. And, as we have seen, He not only repays the money we spend, but also gives us much more. Performing Misvot is always the greatest investment we can ever make, one which guarantees to bring us the most profitable returns.

In this Bible Story, Jabin and his general Sisera oppress Israel for over 20 years. The Lord sent Deborah, a mighty and wise woman. He also sent Barak, the commander of Israel's armies. Sisera fled, and was in the tent of a woman named Jael, and killed in his sleep with a tent peg through his skull. This story is inspired by Judges 4-5. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is Judges 4:22 from the King James Version.Episode 61: Once again Israel is looking to idols and darkness instead of the Lord. And so once again they are allowed to be set under the oppression of a foreign ruler, Jabin king of Canaan and Sisera's commander. God, however, had a message for the commander of Israel's army, Barak. He told him through the prophetess and judge, Deborah, to go out and claim victory. Though he was willing, Barak, like many of us, showed cowardice at the size of his enemy's army, and though God gave them the victory, He allowed a woman named Jael to claim the glory instead.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world's greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join us for a powerful exploration of Judges 4 and 5 in our “We Need a King” series. In this sermon, Pastor Blake uncovers how God transforms our weaknesses into strength and positions us for His purposes—even when freedom seems to enslave us. Through the stories of Deborah, Barak, and Sisera's defeated chariots, discover five key observations about leadership, limits, and coming together in faith.

Psalm 83 WorksheetA Psalm of AsaphIsrael's ___________________________ against her enemies V. 1-8Asaph does not use any high language as he begins this Psalm, he goes right into asking God to act against the enemies of His people.God's enemies are often consumed with ______________________, lifting up their heads (and shaking their fist) at God's people. I love that phrase in verse 3, that calls Israel God's ‘sheltered ones.' The nations around them then (and now) often make craft counsel against them, and ‘team up' to hurt them. I think of how often the United Nation passes evil resolutions against Israel. But God shelters His people.When a person or nation plans evil toward Israel, God takes notice and puts that nation on notice that they will be ________________________ unless they repent. Genesis 12:1-3For the Day of the LORD upon all nations is near; As you have done (to Israel), it shall be done to you. -Obadiah 15Beginning in verse 6, Asaph gives a kind of “Hall of ______________________” for Israel's enemies, beginning with Edom. What person do the Edomites go back to?Gen. 36:12 1 Samuel 15:8 Esther 3:1So Amalek also goes under Esau, You may remember that the Amalekites attacked Israel on the way to the Promised Land, and were under a pronouncement of God's impending judgment (Exodus 17:8-15). Who was the mother of Abraham's son Ishmael? God does give notes of _________________ in the midst of hurtful circumstances – both Isaac and Ishmael were present to bury Abraham (Genesis 25:9), and both Jacob and Esau were present to bury Isaac (Genesis 35:29). Which two listed here were the incestuous children of Lot?Genesis 19:36-38. Genesis 11:31-32Hagrites is probably a reference to the descendants of Hagar, who lived among the Moabites (1 Chr. 5:10). That makes them an _______________________ or Aramean tribe living east of Gilead. Gebal is a city north of Tyre on the Mediterranean coast. Tyre's King Hiram had been a friend of David and Solomon, but they and Gebal later cheered when _______________ took over Israel (Ezekiel 27; Amos 1:9).The Philistines of course were ancient enemies of Israel (think of _______________________). Israel asks God to deal with current enemies like ______________________ ones V. 9-18Can you remember what happened to Midian?Judges 7Who killed Sisera and what did she use? Judges 4What happened to Jabin at the Brook Kishon?Judges 4Who were Oreb and Zeeb, Zebah and Zalmunna?Judges 7-8 What are the kinds of judgments called for in verses 13-17?Verse 18 ends by a prayer that one way or another God will be ________________________ and that these enemies might know He is God over all the earth – either in judgment, or salvation!God is glorified when repentant sinners turn to Him in salvation; but He will also be glorified by judging unrepentant sinners.

When Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord again, the military commander Sisera was raised up to oppress them. Barak was called by God to lead a resistance against Sisera, but he refused to go alone. Deborah proclaimed that Sisera would be defeated by the hand of a woman in place of Barak. When the Lord caused Sisera to flee to the tent of Jael for refuge, he was met with the hammer and tent peg of brave Jael. God uses the most unlikely vessels at times to accomplish His greatest victories. The eyes of the Lord are in every place, and He will ultimately bring justice. Nobody has gotten away with anything, and there will be nowhere to run at the judgment. Only in Christ can we be pardoned of what is due us. Have you prepared to meet your God?

When Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord again, the military commander Sisera was raised up to oppress them. Barak was called by God to lead a resistance against Sisera, but he refused to go alone. Deborah proclaimed that Sisera would be defeated by the hand of a woman in place of Barak. When the Lord caused Sisera to flee to the tent of Jael for refuge, he was met with the hammer and tent peg of brave Jael. God uses the most unlikely vessels at times to accomplish His greatest victories. The eyes of the Lord are in every place, and He will ultimately bring justice. Nobody has gotten away with anything, and there will be nowhere to run at the judgment. Only in Christ can we be pardoned of what is due us. Have you prepared to meet your God?

When we think of heroes, we might picture warriors or kings—but what about mothers? This episode dives into the lives of two extraordinary women who forever changed the course of Israel’s history: Deborah, a national leader, and Jael, a stay-at-home mom. Both women stepped boldly into their God-given roles and proved that no position is too small or too great for God to use. In this inspiring finale to our series on women in Scripture, Catherine is joined by Dr. Sandra Richter, renowned Bible scholar and creator of the video series The Epic of Eden: Deborah, Unlikely Heroes in the Book of Judges. Together, they shed light on the lives of these women and the profound lessons they offer for today’s believers. What You’ll Discover in This Episode: Deborah: A Mother in IsraelDiscover how Deborah shattered societal norms to lead her nation as a judge, prophet, and military strategist—all while embracing her identity as a "mother in Israel." Jael: The Unexpected HeroLearn how Jael, armed with nothing but household tools, courageously defeated Sisera, proving that faith and bravery can transform even the simplest actions into acts of divine deliverance. God’s Calling Transcends CultureExplore the patriarchal backdrop of ancient Israel and how God’s plans for Deborah and Jael defied the expectations of their time. A Message for TodayWhether leading in the public sphere or influencing from the heart of the home, Deborah and Jael show us that God uses mothers to accomplish His purposes. Their stories challenge and encourage us to step boldly into the roles God has called us to. Setting the Record StraightGain fresh insights into Barak’s character and how his partnership with Deborah highlights the value of faith-filled collaboration. Why This Matters:Deborah and Jael’s stories remind us that God doesn’t measure significance by status or title. From the highest leader in the land to a mother in her tent, God equips and calls women to vital roles in His Kingdom. Modern Application:Parents, take heart! These narratives inspire us to lead with courage in our homes and communities, trusting that God can use our actions—big or small—for His redemptive work. About the guest: Dr. Sandra Richter holds a PhD in Old Testament Studies from Harvard University and Master of Arts in Theology from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She is currently the Gundry Chair of Biblical Studies at Westmont College. Dr. Richter has authored several works available on Amazon, including a Bible study on Deborah. Her extensive research seeks to illuminate the scriptures for contemporary audiences. Connect with Dr. Richter: Amazon Author Page, Facebook Page, Westmont College Page EPISODE LINKS: Resources Referenced: The Epic of Eden (series) - Deborah: Unlikely Heroes and the Book of Judges Other Episodes in this Series: Ep. 134 "Is Our Theology about Women Aligned with Scripture" Articles by Catherine: “Why We Should Reconsider What the Bible Really Says about Women in Ministry” “Does Scripture Oppress or Liberate Women” “Why Does Paul Tell Women to Be Silent in Church and Not to Teach?” Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Mark Lanier continued his series on Lesser-Known Bible Women with a study of Jael - Courage in a Crisis, from Judges 4:2 - 5:27. Mark divides the lesson into: 1. Context and Characters:  Israel is under oppression from the Canaanite army led by Sizer who has control of the Jezerel Valley. The people are regulated to the mountains where it is not suited for agriculture and the trade routes are blocked. Deborah was Israel's prophet and judge who commands Barak to lead Israelites into battle and defeat Sisera. Jael was a woman from a tribe friendly to the Canaanites who drives a tent peg into Sisera's temple. The Narrative Tension: Describes one story from 2 perspectives in Judges 4 and 5. 3. The theological implications (Take Home Points): God can use unexpected deliverers 2. God uses the everyday stuff 3. Have courage Listen to Mark teach how God works thru everything. He still rescues and provides for us despite time, culture, and circumstances.

Penceritaan kembali ini layak untuk mendapat jeda dalam catatan Alkitab, sepeti yang diingatkan Debora kepada kita tentang sisi lain dari kekerasan.

Send us a textThe devotion for today, Monday, January 13, 2025 was written and narrated by Thomas Riggs.Today's Words of Inspiration come from Judges 4:6b-9“Go, take with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead them up to Mount Tabor. I will lead Sisera, the commander of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his troops to the Kishon River and give him into your hands.”Barak said to her, “If you go with me, I will go; but if you don't go with me, I won't go.”“Certainly I will go with you,” said Deborah. “But because of the course you are taking, the honor will not be yours, for the Lord will deliver Sisera into the hands of a woman.” So Deborah went with Barak to Kedesh.  Support the show

Ps 83 (NKJV) 1 DO not keep silent, O God! Do not hold Your peace, And do not be still, O God! 2 For behold, Your enemies make a tumult; And those who hate You have lifted up their head. 3 They have taken crafty counsel against Your people, And consulted together against Your sheltered ones. 4 They have said, “Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, That the name of Israel may be remembered no more.” 5 For they have consulted together with one consent; They form a confederacy against You: 6 The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites; Moab and the Hagrites; 7 Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek; Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre; 8 Assyria also has joined with them; They have helped the children of Lot. ​Selah 9 Deal with them as with Midian, As with Sisera, As with Jabin at the Brook Kishon, 10 Who perished at En Dor, Who became as refuse on the earth. 11 Make their nobles like Oreb and like Zeeb, Yes, all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna, 12 Who said, “Let us take for ourselves The pastures of God for a possession.” 13 O my God, make them like the whirling dust, Like the chaff before the wind! 14 As the fire burns the woods, And as the flame sets the mountains on fire, 15 So pursue them with Your tempest, And frighten them with Your storm. 16 Fill their faces with shame, That they may seek Your name, O LORD. 17 Let them be confounded and dismayed forever; Yes, let them be put to shame and perish, 18 That they may know that You, whose name alone is the LORD, Are the Most High over all the earth.

Class 4 from this series was used in GCT Episode 325.

Judg 4:8-9 (NKJV) 8 And Barak said to her, “If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go!”9So she said, “I will surely go with you; nevertheless there will be no glory for you in the journey you are taking, for the LORD will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.” Then Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/maranatha-ministries/support

The Prophetess Deborah October 27, 2024 Mason Worthy Judges 4 Verse of the week: “And Deborah said to Barak, ‘Up! For this is the day in which the Lord has given Sisera into your hand. Does not the Lord go out before you?'” Judges 4:14 1. Deborah was listening for the Lord. “seek, and you will find” Matthew 7:7 2. She took the lead. “That the leaders took the lead in Israel” Judges 5:2 3. She empowered Barak to lead. “And Deborah said to Barak, ‘Up! For this is the day in which the Lord has given Sisera into your hand. Does not the Lord go out before you?'” Judges 4:14 4. Deborah's obedience led to victory for Israel. “So on that day God subdued Jabin the king of Canaan before the people of Israel.” Judges 4:23

Nathan Raynor

It's time for our annual Ghoul Training episode and we couldn't be more excited! On this episode, we bring back the "Soul Training Players" to tell the assassination stories of Sisera and King Ehud. We hope you enjoy these two stories from the book of Judges. Other show highlights: Daniel talks like a girl and Allen can't catch a break.

It’s time for our annual Ghoul Training episode and we couldn’t be more excited! On this episode, we bring back the “Soul Training Players” to tell the assassination stories of Sisera and King Ehud. We hope you enjoy these two stories from the book of Judges. Other show highlights: Daniel talks like a girl and […]

This week we’ll examine the story of Deborah, and characters like Jael, Barak, Sisera, and Jabin King of Canaan. We’ll look at the pronunciation and meanings of the terms “Baalim”, “Balaam”, and “Canaan”, and review the conquest under Joshua, Caleb, … Continue reading →

It is customary to blow one hundred and one Shofar sounds on each of the two days of Rosh Hashanah. We blow thirty Shofar sounds before the Musaf service, and then, according to our community's custom, thirty sounds are blown during the silent Amida prayer of Musaf. Another thirty sounds are blown during the Hazan's repetition of the Amida, and then, during the Kaddish Titkabal following Musaf, we sound another ten Shofar blasts, bringing the total to one hundred. It is then customary to sound a long "Teru'a Gedola," for a total of one hundred and one. Why do we blow so many Shofar sounds, beyond that which the Torah strictly requires? The Gemara raises this question in Masechet Rosh Hashanah (16), and it answers that the additional Shofar sounds serve to "confound the Satan." Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Ben Yishak, France, 1040-1105) explains that when the Satan sees the Jewish people's great love for Misvot, to the point where we blow additional Shofar sounds on Rosh Hashanah, he is silenced. His ability to prosecute against us as we stand judgment before God is severely hampered by our display of love and zeal toward the Misvot. Tosefot (commentaries by the French and German schools of Medieval Talmudists) explain differently, noting that the Satan is also the "Mal'ach Ha'mavet" (angel of death). Based on a comment in the Talmud Yerushalmi, Tosefot write that the angel of death will one day be eliminated, as indicated in the verse (Yeshayahu 25:8), "Bila Ha'mavet La'nesah" ("He shall eliminate death for eternity"). We are also told (Yeshayahu 27:13) that on that day, a great Shofar will be sounded. Thus, when we sound the Shofar after having already fulfilled the Misva of Shofar blowing on Rosh Hashanah, the Satan begins worrying that perhaps this is the Shofar blast that heralds the time of the final redemption, when he will be eliminated. This fear that Satan experiences hinders his ability to prosecute against us in the Heavenly Tribunal. The Abudarham (Rabbi David Abudarham, 14th century, Spain) cites a Midrash that offers a different explanation of the one hundred Shofar sounds, namely, that it brings to mind the event of Akedat Yishak (the binding of Yishak upon the altar). The Midrash relates that when Sara heard that her son was bound upon the altar prepared to be slaughtered as a sacrifice, she wailed one hundred times. By sounding one hundred Shofar blasts, we bring to mind Sara's anguish at the time of the Akeda, hoping that in this merit God will atone for our sins and grant us a favorable sentence. Others explain that the one hundred sounds are reminiscent of the one hundred wailings cried by the mother of the Canaanite general Sisera. The general's mother wept bitterly one hundred times as she waited in vain for her son to return from his battle against Beneh Yisrael, during which he had been killed. We commemorate her weeping by sounding the Shofar one hundred times on Rosh Hashanah. (At first glance, it seems difficult to understand why Sisera's mother's weeping should assume significance on Rosh Hashanah, though this is a subject for a separate discussion.) We find in Halachic literature some discussion concerning the propriety of the one hundred and first sound that we blow, the "Teru'a Gedola" sounded after the one hundred sounds. The Re'avya (Rabbi Eliezer Ben Yoel Halevi, Germany, 1140-1225), in Siman 541, mentions this custom and expresses his strong disapproval (listen to audio recording for precise citation). He notes that generally speaking, making sounds with an instrument is forbidden on Shabbat and Yom Tob, and sounding the Shofar on Rosh Hashanah is permitted only for the purpose of fulfilling the Halachic obligation. Therefore, once the required Shofar sounds have been blown, it is forbidden to blow the Shofar on Rosh Hashanah any further. A number of works cite the Rosh Yosef as going so far as to claim that blowing a one hundred and first sound constitutes "Hilul Yom Tob" – a desecration of the holiday. It is clear, however, that these authorities who disapprove of this practice were unaware of the writings of the Geonim, which explicitly record the observance of this custom in the two main Yeshivot of Babylonia, and explain that this, too, serves to confound the Satan. A number of Geonim (specifically Rav Amram Gaon and Rav Hai Gaon) addressed the question of whether the custom was for the one hundred and first sound to be blown publicly or only privately by certain individuals, but, in any event, such a custom most certainly existed. In light of this account, it seems very difficult to reject this custom and consider it a "desecration" of Yom Tob. Accordingly, Hacham Ovadia Yosef, in his work Hazon Ovadia (Laws of Shofar), codifies this practice, and writes that the one hundred and first sound of the Shofar is blown in order to confound the Satan. One must ensure, however, not to sound the Shofar after having blown or heard the customary one hundred and one sounds. Of course, if one did not hear all the sounds he may and should certainly blow the sounds he missed, and it is of course permissible to blow the Shofar on behalf of somebody who did not hear the Shofar blowing. One may not, however, blow the Shofar needlessly once he has blown or heard the one hundred and one sounds. Summary: The accepted custom is to blow one hundred Shofar sounds on Rosh Hashanah, plus an additional "Teru'a Gedola" after these hundred sounds. One may not blow the Shofar unnecessarily once he has heard or blown the one hundred and one sounds.

Barak was victorious, but he was not glorious. Even his greatest victory flew under the radar because the commander of the opposing army was killed not by Barak, but by a woman. That woman, Jael, drove a tent peg through the temple of Commander Sisera, nailing him to the ground. Jael was glorious. They sang of her as most blessed among women. They sang of her victory over Sisera. But Barak is still listed in the Hall of Faith... and we can learn three powerful truths from his faith

Kelsi is joined by Sandra Richter to discuss the portrayal of women throughout the Old Testament before honing in on the story of Deborah in Judges 4-5, specifically. Kelsi asks Dr. Richter questions about viewing Deborah's leadership as normative, and the role and office of prophet and prophetess throughout Scripture. Together, the two discuss the good news within the darkness of Judges and the Christocentric end to Deborah and Barak's battle and victory against Sisera.  The Gundry Chair of Biblical Studies at Westmont College and a graduate of Harvard University, Dr. Richter has dedicated her career to making Scripture accessible andrelevant to contemporary audiences. She has applied her many years in the classroom, her technical research, and her years of archaeological experience to writing books and Bible studies and creating videos that bring the Bible to life for the current generation. Show Notes: ⁠Support 1517⁠ ⁠1517 Podcasts⁠ ⁠The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠1517 on Youtube⁠ More from Kelsi: ⁠Kelsi Klembara⁠ ⁠ Follow Kelsi on Instagram⁠ ⁠Follow Kelsi on Twitter⁠ ⁠Kelsi's Newsletter⁠ Subscribe to the Show: ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠Youtube⁠ More from Sandy:  The Epic of Eden: Deborah - Unlikely Heroes and the Book of Judges Sandy's Website Does the Old Testament Dehumanize Women?

As a kid, my favorite part about school was recess. Don't get me wrong, I liked school. I liked learning. But I liked playing even more. Now, when it came to recess, my friends and I almost always ended up deciding between one of two games to play together — football or kill the carrier. These two games are very different from one another.In football, you have an even amount of people on both teams — half who are trying to tackle you, half who are trying to block for and defend you. Now, one team may end up with bigger kids than the other team, or faster kids than the other team, but the numbers themselves are always an even split: Six on six. Seven on seven. And so on.Kill the carrier is different, because in kill the carrier the moment you pick up the ball, everyone on the field is your enemy. The kids to your right, to your left, in front of you and behind you, each one of them has one object in mind the moment that ball touches your hands — kill the carrier, which is now you. And within a matter of seconds, that object is typically accomplished as you find yourself flatly pressed to the ground, face to the dirt, and anywhere from 10-15 of your closest friends smothered on top of you. My vote was always for football. Because being surrounded by enemies did not make me feel strong. Did not make me feel at peace. But made me feel vulnerable, and weak, and in need of much help. Psalm 83 is a Psalm about a people surrounded by enemies. A people in need of much help. A people whose enemies did not mean to merely smother them, but annihilate them and wipe them from the face of the earth. Which is why Psalm 83 begins as it does: “O God, do not keep silence; do not hold your peace or be still, O God!” Following that initial cry for help, we're going to see the Psalmist do three things. First, he's going to provide the reason he's asking God for help. Then, he's going to make his request to God — “God, this is how I'm asking you to help us.” Lastly, he's going to explain his hoped-for result. “God, this is what I want to have happen as the result of you answering my prayer. Reason for God's help, request for God's help, result of receiving God's help. Let's pray and ask God to help us.Alright, so what is the reason for the Psalmist's cry for help? What's the reason he prays: “O God, do not keep silence; do not hold your peace or be still, O God!”? We'll start with verse 2:Reason for Prayer“For behold, your enemies make an uproar; those who hate you have raised their heads.” Notice the vertical dimension of these words. The problem, first and foremost, is that these people are enemies of God. It's first a vertical problem. “Your enemies (O God) make an uproar; those who hate you (O God) have raised their heads.” And right off the bat, we might wonder, “What could possibly lead to such insanity?” For a people to “raise their heads” against God. We get that imagery, right? “Raise their heads.” Like a rebellious child to his parents, or a defiant soldier to his captain. It's a posture of opposition. Of insolence. And, in this case, insanity. Like a bunch of toy soldiers lining up against a sixty-ton tank. What could lead to such insanity? Hate. Hate could cause a people to do something like that. And I fear that we are going to miss the significance of that word here in verse 2. I fear that because of our immersion into a world that daily disregards and defies God, that we'll simply skip over that word “hate” without even batting an eye. Brothers and sisters, don't miss the outrage of what's being communicated here. This Psalmist is saying these people hate God. “Those who hate you have raised their heads.” There is no greater evil in all the world than the evil expressed in that short phrase — “hate God.” And if our jaw is not ready to drop upon seeing those words (hate God), then we need to recalibrate to reality. What this verse is saying when it comes to the God who made this world, and upholds this world, and loves this world, and gave up his only Son for this world, these people hate him. There is nothing more dark and evil than that in all the world. Nothing. I mean, you might be able to find someone who hates your habits, hates your stuff, hates your politics, hates your morals, maybe even hates you — and yet not one of those hates, not one of them, holds a candle to the human hatred of God himself. There is no worse condition in all the world than having a heart that hates its Maker.Hatred for God's PeopleNow, it follows, that if a certain people hates God, they're going to hate the people who worship God as well. So verses 3-8 should come as no surprise — flowing from the fount of hatred for God is a hatred for God's people. And, as we see, it is a united hatred.Look with me at verse 3,“They lay crafty plans against your people; they consult together against your treasured ones.”Again in verse 5,“For they conspire with one accord; against you they make a covenant.”Their shared hatred for God and his people leads, as it were, to a cooperative effort. One aimed at total annihilation. Verse 4, “They say, ‘Come, let us wipe them out as a nation; let the name of Israel be remembered no more!'”Total annihilation. Entire nations, linking arms, bound for the blood of God's treasured ones, and as much blood as possible. Now, to get a sense for the scale of this mounting opposition, the Psalmist lists the names of these enemy nations in verses 5-8 — Ten nations in total. And if we had more time together this morning, we could go through each one of these and note the backstory of the tension between these particular nations and God's people. As it is, we don't have time for that, and the backstory is not really the main point here anyway. The main point is this: Israel, God's people, are surrounded.See if you were to take a map of the world at this time, position Jerusalem (the Land of God's people) right in the center, you could plot out these other nations and come to find that they form a ring all round Jerusalem. Enemies on all sides — that's the point. God's people, in other words, have nowhere to run. Nowhere to turn. Nowhere to go, except to God who rules over all. So, that's what the Psalmist does. He goes to God. Lays out the reason for his alarm, and makes his request to God. RequestBeginning in verse 9, we can see that the Psalmist's request is founded upon the pages of history — all the times in which God's people were in need, and all the times God came to their rescue. Specifically, he cites two scenes from history — both from the book of Judges.The first one involves Midian. You see it there in verse 9? “Do to them as you did to Midian.” To which we might ask, “What did God do to Midian?” Well, he embarrassed them is what he did. He not only defeated them but humiliated, embarrassed them in the process. See God's people at that time had an army of 22,000 men. That's a good size army, don't you think? Well, God didn't. Instead, he whittled that army down to a tiny remnant of only 300 men. He then equipped that army for battle against mighty Midian with clay jars and trumpets. He directed them to then go and surround Midian in the middle of the night, smash a bunch of the jars, blow a bunch of trumpets, make a really loud noise and hold their torches up in the air. They did it. Guess what happened?Midian's mighty soldiers woke up in a panic, and assuming their fellow comrades all round them to be the enemy, grabbed their swords and starting killing each other. Midian was routed that day. Their four leaders — Oreb, Zeeb, Zebah, and Zalmunna (you can see their names listed in verse 11), were killed as well. Midian was not only destroyed that day, but humiliated in the process.The second story involving Canaan, and its king Jabin and his leading commander Sisera (you can see their names listed in verse 9), is very similar. Not only was their army routed in battle, but their commander Sisera, (valiant warrior as he was) turned tail and ran from the battle in fear. He sought shelter in the home of a woman named Jael. He asked her for water and protection, just as a child would ask his mother. She brought him in, gave him some milk, covered him with a blanket, and then sunk a tent peg into his skull. Canaan, Jabin, and Sisera was not only destroyed that day, but humiliated in the process.Now, the Psalmist, looking out at the enemy nations all round him, and recalling those two scenes from history, says, “God, do to these enemies what you did to Midian and Canaan and Sisera. Destroy them, and even humiliate them in the process.Request Rooted in NatureNow, the Psalmist's request continues for a few more verses, but the background on his request changes a bit. No longer flowing from the pages of history, but from what can be seen in the realm of nature. Verse 13,“O my God, make them like whirling dust, like chaff before the wind.”If you've ever seen an old western movie, you know the image he has in mind here, right? I used to joke with my brother and sister about this because we watched a lot of old westerns with my grandpa when we were growing up. And always, always, there was a scene, where one guy is staring down another guy, it's quiet, tension is peaking, and then this lone tumble weed drifts across the plain between them. That's the picture here, “turn these enemy nations into something akin to lone, worthless, bone-dry tumbleweed blowing aimlessly out of focus.”Chaff, similarly, as the unused part of a plant after harvest, dries out, breaks up, and is carried away in the wind. “God,” says the Psalmist, make them like that. Take, what feels to us, like an immovable and impenetrable enemy, and, “poof,” blow them away.Still in the realm of nature, verse 14 takes things up a notch.“As fire consumes the forest, as the flame sets the mountains ablaze, so may you pursue them with your tempest and terrify them with your hurricane!”Notice: “May you pursue them with your tempest…” God, set your sights, lock in on our enemy, and set a fire blazing upon their heels.The Psalmist clearly wants God to go after this enemy. He wants him to be the one to take down this enemy, and, as we noted in the pages of history, to even do so with a sort of flair that humiliates them in the process. But the question we want to ask is, “to what end?” What does the Psalmist actually want as the result of God's intervention? At first, it appears he wants two very different, even contradictory, results. And we might wonder, “How is this going to work?” How does one possibly pray for both of these seemingly contradictory results, in the very same Psalm?Result of the Prayer Look with me first at verse 16. The Psalmist prays, “Fill their faces with shame,” (that's that bit about defeat leading to embarrassment that we've been talking about). “Fill their faces with shame,” like embarrassment, humiliation, dishonor. But observe the intended result,“Fill their faces with shame that they may seek your name, O Lord.”In other words, make them to see the foolishness and futility of their actions. Awaken them to their own darkness and depravity. Allow them to become so broken and burdened that it brings them to their knees, casts their eyes down to the ground, leads them to cover their faces with shame — “we're sinners.” But do so, O God, in such a way that there, on the ground, and in their shame, these wayward souls begin to feel a tug upon their hearts — one like they've never experienced before. A pull that cries, “Go to God, you rebel, bring your shame and sin to him.” Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek your name, O Lord.” Now what does it mean to seek God's name? Well it means to seek God's character. Seek God's nature. Seek God for who he is as, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty” (Ex. 34:5-7). To seek the Lord is to seek him for mercy, forgiveness, reconciliation, and joy. Just as the Psalms have been saying all along:Psalm 27:8, “You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.”Psalm 40:16, “May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, “Great is the Lord!”Psalm 69:6, “Let not those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me, O God of Israel.”Psalm 105:3-4, “Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!”The Psalmist's prayer in verse 16 is rooted in the reality that, as we see in Paul's speech in Acts 17: God is the one who “Made the world and everything in it, (and who is the) Lord of heaven and earth… (and) who gives to all mankind life and breath… (and who) made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth…that they should seek (Him), and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him.”It is rooted in the reality that God the Son says to all mankind, Matthew 11,“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” It is rooted in the reality that even now, from heaven, God the Son calls,“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me” (Rev. 3:20).“Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek your name, O Lord.”It is a glorious prayer. A prayer with an intended result that befits the nature of God. And it is not the Psalmist's only hoped for result. The Psalmist, as we said, seems to pray here in not one but two very different directions toward two very different results. See how verse 17 reads a bit different: “Let them be put to shame and dismayed forever; let them perish in disgrace.”Condemnation before GodThe image here, in contrast to verse 16, is one in which the nations do not end up repenting. They do not end up seeking God, but die in their disgrace and sins. That's what it means to be “Put to shame and dismayed forever.” Forever offers no second chances. Forever offers no hope of a change in the future. “Put to shame and dismayed forever.”This is a prayer for condemnation. And, we might ask, what gives the Psalmist the right to pray this way?Well, to begin, the Psalmist knows that some people will in fact die shaking their fist at God. The Psalmist knows that. Some people will never repent, but will instead die shaking their fist at God. What he doesn't know is whether that'll be the case for these particular people from the enemy nations round him, or not. Will they end up seeking God or will they not? The Psalmist does not know.Yet, this is where we need to lean in. What the Psalmist does know is that if, if, these people for the enemy nations round him do, in fact, never end up repenting and instead die in their sins, die shaking their fist at God, then they must not be allowed to get away with it. In other words, the Psalmist does not pray, “God, cause these people to seek your name. But if they don't, would you just ignore that fact? Could you just turn a blind eye to their sin? Would you be willing to just overlook their rebellion against you?”The Psalmist does not pray that, and he does not want that, and the reason he doesn't is actually the key to unlocking this whole thing. See, because more than anything, highest in priority in terms of the Psalmist's request, is not ultimately that these enemies would be saved, nor ultimately that these enemies would be condemned, but ultimately that one way or another, they would know, they would know, verse 18: That God alone, whose name is the Lord, is the Most High over all the earth. Not them. Not some other god. But God alone, whose name is the Lord, is the Most High over all the earth.See, because here's the thing: When people live their whole lives hating God and hating his people, they live as walking, talking proclaimers of fake news: “God isn't all that great.” “God isn't worthy of our time.” “God is like chopped liver compared to the treasures this world has to offer.” And in doing so, they defy God's glory and drag it through the mud. And when they die that way, they appear, at least from the perspective of the world, to have gotten away with it. They, not God, appear, in the eyes of the world, to be the ones who are most high over all the earth — after all, they were even able to defy God and get away with it.Were the Psalmist to pray, “God, call these people to seek your name. If they don't, just let ‘em be” it would be akin to praying, “God, either get your glory through saving these people, or, simply allow them to go on trampling your glory throughout all eternity. Allow their apparent victory over you to suggest your glory and worth which they've defied isn't all that great after all.” As it is, the Psalmist does not pray that and does not want that, and neither should we. Now, should we “Desire all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:4)? Our God does, so we should as well. Should we love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us? Of course. Jesus tells us to in Matthew 5:44.Should we also seek to share the good news with our enemies in hopes they'll turn from their sin and receive God's mercy and forgiveness? Of course — that is our commission from here till the day God takes us home. But should we ever desire that those who die hating God, get off the hook for their rebellion against him? No.See, the truth of the matter is that one day, when the lights go out and the curtain falls, Jesus is going to come again to judge the world, and when he does, every knee is coming down. “Every knee [will] bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue [will] confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:10-11).Every man and every woman will know, they'll see it for themselves, that God, not man, but God alone, whose name is the Lord, is the Most High over all the earth.And on that day, God will get the glory he deserves from every single soul.From those who in their life repented and turned and sought God — God will be glorified in the fulfillment of their salvation. From those who did not, in their life, end up repenting or turning or seeking God — God will be glorified in their just condemnation. Their reception of the only punishment terrible enough and long enough to prove the glory and worth of the one whom they have spurned — Hell for all eternity.Our ultimate prayer as Christians should always be, “God, no matter what, get your glory.”Our ultimate prayer should always be, as Christians, “God, hallowed be your name!”The deepest desire within all of our hearts should be that God's worth and God's glory and God's splendor would be held high in our world and throughout all eternity.We pray for our enemies. We pray, “God, save our enemies.” God humble them so that they seek you while you may still be found. And behind that prayer, undergirding that prayer, is “God, no matter what, get the glory you deserve in this world. Get your glory no matter what.”The TableNow, what brings us to the table this morning is the reminder that each and every one of us in this room this morning were born enemies of God. We were born, Romans 1:30, “haters of God.” And yet, as Romans 5:8 tells us, “God show[ed] his love for us in that while we were still sinners [still haters of God], Christ died for us.” Christ died for his enemies. You and me. This table represents his broken body and shed blood for the sake of his enemies. Because that's what this table represents, if you're here this morning and you've trusted in Jesus, we invite you to take and eat with us. If you've not put your trust in Jesus, we ask that you'd let the elements pass, but we pray you would, in this moment, receive Jesus, and his death for you.

Spiritual leaders always point out the real hero in the story. Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 12. I've titled this chapter "God is Faithful When We Are Not." Before I read the text, let me give you a little context. The nation of Israel is gathered at Gilgal. Samuel and Saul have gathered the people for a day of celebration, remembrance, and rededication. Think of this moment as a gathering on the National Mall. Samuel addresses the nation and references some historical people who have played critical roles in Israel's history. I will read verses 6-14, and it would be good for you to circle or underline these critical players in the text. Here's the text: And Samuel said to the people, “The Lord is witness, who appointed Moses and Aaron and brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt. Now therefore stand still that I may plead with you before the Lord concerning all the righteous deeds of the Lord that he performed for you and for your fathers. When Jacob went into Egypt, and the Egyptians oppressed them, then your fathers cried out to the Lord and the Lord sent Moses and Aaron, who brought your fathers out of Egypt and made them dwell in this place. But they forgot the Lord their God. And he sold them into the hand of Sisera, commander of the army of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab. And they fought against them. And they cried out to the Lord and said, ‘We have sinned, because we have forsaken the Lord and have served the Baals and the Ashtaroth. But now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, that we may serve you.' And the Lord sent Jerubbaal and Barak and Jephthah and Samuel and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and you lived in safety. And when you saw that Nahash the king of the Ammonites came against you, you said to me, ‘No, but a king shall reign over us,' when the Lord your God was your king. And now behold the king whom you have chosen, for whom you have asked; behold, the Lord has set a king over you. If you will fear the Lord and serve him and obey his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the Lord your God, it will be well. — 1 Samuel 12:6-14 There are two things worth noting about this part of Samuel's address. First, Samuel mentions a listing of great spiritual leaders—Moses, Aaron, Jacob, Jerubbaal, Barak, Jephthah, and himself. These are generational leaders who left a mark on the people of Israel forever. I believe that every generation needs spiritual leaders like this. Those who leave a generational mark. We should be praying for leaders like this in our time because we need them. But we should pray that they have these qualities—that they direct us toward deliverance, cry out against oppression, and drive us toward repentance. Second, we notice that Samuel also explains these historic spiritual leaders, including himself, were mere vessels. The heroes of the story were not these men. The hero was the Lord. It was the Lord who performed all the righteous deeds. He provided the leaders and the people with salvation, deliverance, safety, and a place to dwell. What I find especially profound about Samuel's address to the people is how he redirects attention to the Lord. If you think about the context of this situation, it could have been very easy after this military victory to make Saul the hero of the story and to boast and celebrate that. But Samuel doesn't play to this opportunity. In fact, he does the opposite of what we would expect. He tells them in their victory that their desire to have a king (i.e., Saul) over God, who is their King, was wrong and sinful. Great spiritual leaders do this. They have the propensity to look back over time, define the fine points of spiritual drift, and then carefully redirect people back to the real hero of the story—God. Today, we need more spiritual leaders like this in our homes, churches, and workplaces. So pray that God will raise up new spiritual leaders like Samuel who understand that the finite stories of our generations are only short sentences in a longer narrative with one Hero and King—God. God, raise up spiritual leaders who direct us back to you, the only Hero and King. Amen. #GodIsFaithful, #SpiritualLeadership, #TrueHero Ask This: In what ways can you recognize and acknowledge God's role as the true hero in your personal victories and successes? How can you actively encourage and support the development of spiritual leaders in your community who consistently point others to God? Do This: Pray for spiritual leaders. Pray This: Lord, help me to always see You as the true hero in my life and give me the wisdom to direct others to Your greatness. Raise up spiritual leaders around me who will guide us with humility and a steadfast focus on Your glory. Amen. Play This: Champion.

The children of Israel were being oppressed by their enemies but Deborah did not ask, “How much longer before God delivers us?” Instead, her approach was, “How much longer before we stand up and fight—with God on our side?” “Deborah, the wife of Lappidoth, was a prophet who was judging Israel at that time. She would sit under the Palm of Deborah, between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites would go to her for judgment. One day she sent for Barak son of Abinoam, who lived in Kedesh in the land of Naphtali. She said to him, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, commands you: Call out 10,000 warriors from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun at Mount Tabor. And I will call out Sisera, commander of Jabin's army, along with his chariots and warriors, to the Kishon River. There I will give you victory over him.” Barak told her, “I will go, but only if you go with me.”” ‭‭Judges‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬ #kids, #christiankids, #bedtimestoriesforkids, #storiesforchristiankids, #biblestoriesforkids, #biblelessonsforkids, #godisonourside, #standandseethesalvationofgod, #godisgood, #peacewithgod, #praiseispowerful, #praise, #bestrongandcourageous, #godiswithus, #fishbytesforkids, #fishbytes4kids, #fishbitesforkids, #fishbites4kids, #ronandcarriewebb, #roncarriewebb

Our reading today begins by wrapping up the account of Deborah and Barak after Sisera's defeat. It's not long, however, before Israel turns, once again, to worship idols. The false gods of Baal and Asherah were meant to bring fertile crops and prosperity, but they only bring despair and a fractured relationship with the One True God. During a period of oppression by the Midianites, the Lord speaks to a young man named Gideon and calls upon him to destroy his father's idolatrous altars. Later, the spirit of the Lord envelops Gideon as he gathers troops for battle. The Lord then reduces the number of men who will go to battle to just 300 so that Israel will not forget the power of God and His merciful deliverance.Judges 5 – 1:13 . Judges 6 – 7:22 . Judges 7 – 16:49 . Psalm 72 – 23:15 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

In this Bible Story, Jabin and his general Sisera oppress Israel for over 20 years. The Lord sent Deborah, a mighty and wise woman. He also sent Barak, the commander of Israel's armies. Sisera fled, and was in the tent of a woman named Jael, and killed in his sleep with a tent peg through his skull. This story is inspired by Judges 4-5. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is Judges 4:22 from the King James Version.Episode 61: Once again Israel is looking to idols and darkness instead of the Lord. And so once again they are allowed to be set under the oppression of a foreign ruler, Jabin king of Canaan and Sisera's commander. God, however, had a message for the commander of Israel's army, Barak. He told him through the prophetess and judge, Deborah, to go out and claim victory. Though he was willing, Barak, like many of us, showed cowardice at the size of his enemy's army, and though God gave them the victory, He allowed a woman named Jael to claim the glory instead.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world's greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.