God’s Instruments: Deborah, BArak, & JAel

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Sermon Outline

Judges recap

Typical startup of the Cycle (Judges 4:1-3, 2:11-13)

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Israel reverts to idolatry.
            2. And God lets an oppressive nation overpower them. (Judges 4:2)
               1. God sold them.
               2. Jabin’s kingdom was fairly expansive and powerful (2Chr 1:14)
            3. The Cry for Help (Judges 4:3)

Deborah is God’s instrument (Judges 4:4ff)

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. A woman!!!
               1. She holds court under a palm tree for justice.
               2. She summons military leaders and sends them forth (Judge 4:6, 9)
               3. She speaks for the Lord and commissions people to do his will (Judges 4:6-9, 14, 5:31)

Lessons from Deborah’s Judgeship

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. First, grace continues to abound to sinners (2Ki 13:23, 2Chr 30:9, Eph 2:8)
            2. Second, A lack of faith doesn’t stop God from delivering people but it does change how God uses us.
            3. Third, The story was never about people delivering, it was about God getting the glory by using unlikely instruments to bring about physical liberation for his people (Judge 5:4, 21)
            4. Fourth, God uses women (Esther 8, Matt 1, Luke 1-2, Acts 21:9, 18:24-26, Rom 16:1-2)
            5. Finally, all the enemies of God will be ultimately destroyed (Rev 21:8)

Conclusion

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. So a woman leader, a treacherous female, a military commander whose faith lacks all pointing towards a God who goes before his people and brings the victory.
            2. May it be your story too.