Great Bones

Judges 4 & 5

Deborah means “bee”.

Barak means “thunderbolt”.

Jael means “mountain goat”.

Love it when names are explained. 

There are lots of clever literary features and plays on words in the book of Judges.  The book nerds among us will find those intriguing.  Even knowing that these stories are not necessarily arranged chronologically is kind of neat.  That so much skill and thought and creativity went into this history and Story record.  I love it that it’s not just about Story or getting it down on paper. 

How the stories of Gideon and Abimilech are in the centre of the book of Judges, book ended on either side by deliverer stories of Deborah (of Ephraim, who settled West of the Jordan) and Jepthah (of Manasseh, who settled East of the Jordan) who are both sons of Joseph. And Ehud and Samson.   Kind of fascinating. 

I was wondering about God raising up Judges, and kings, and prophets and then sending Jesus.  About ‘raising up’ versus ‘sending’. God doing miracles then and doing miracles now.

I wonder why the warriors of Israel lacked courage. Why Barak did not want to go up by himself? That Deborah could muster 10,000 troops and at the same time lure Sisera to the river and hand hi over.   Is it amazing that Deborah’s leadership gets so many words?   This prophetess who held court under a palm tree, while the nation is being cruelly oppressed.  Looking for Hope and crying out.  Holding onto a thread.

And God answered.

He sent Ehud, a left-handed descendant from the tribe of Benjamin, which means ‘son of my right hand’. Benjamin, And he sent Shamgar, who is not even an Israelite.  Shamgar, gets one verse!

Deborah’s name means “bee” and Jael’s name means “mountain goat”.  By the end of the chapter Sisera lay dead in Jael’s tent. Death by tent peg to the temple. His mom watching the roads in vain for his return (Ch 5:28) The land “flowing with milk and honey” saved by the courage and faithfulness of a “bee” and a “mountain goat”. 

And that beautifully written poem; the Song of Deborah, which is one of the oldest in the Bible.  A victory song that would be sung throughout the land, sung by minstrels at all the great watering places (Ch 5:10). By word of mouth.  By song. 

It’s kind of hard to get back into this groove for a few days, until our week takes another celebratory turn.  Back to work.  The tasks of our hands.   To keep walking forward almost ready to meet a whole new year!   So exciting!!