How do you view judges? Are they someone to avoid? What if you lived under one? How would you feel if you were ruled by a judge? It would be considerably different than we are used to, wouldn’t it? Do you think you could get used to it? What if the judge was a woman?
No one lives under a judge in today’s world. The Israelites were the only nation to do so. Today, nations have dictatorships, democracies, republics, and socialist governments in varying degrees. Some are ruled by men, some by women. Every nation is different.
After Moses died, Joshua led the Israelites into the promised land and as they took possession of it. When Joshua died, the Israelites turned back to their old ways and worshiped other gods. So, God set judges up to rule over them. After a handful of judges, Deborah is appointed judge. She was also a prophet, speaking God’s message to the people and turning them back to God. Deborah was leading Israel in military campaigns, settling disputes, and punishing criminals.
Though the Israelites lived in a patriarchal society, God chose the right person for the job, regardless of gender. We often think God chose these leaders and announced them with a booming voice. Though that may happen in some cases, it was not always the case. God also worked through other people to select leaders, guiding them through the Holy Spirit to choose the leader God wanted. He can and does the same today, if we are praying for his guidance. In some cases, the people cried out to God to intercede. We can cry out to God for his intercession and guidance today.
I pray we all know that God is in control. I pray we cry out to God for his guidance continually. I pray each one of us trust God to guide us and our nation on the path we would have us follow. God is in control. Cry out for God’s guidance. Trust God to guide you. Follow the path God leads you on.
Judges 4:4 At that time Deborah, a prophet, wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel.
