Suggested Friends: Deborah
Part 7 of the “Suggested Friends” message series
11 Then the sons of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord and served the Baals (BA’-AL) (false gods), 12 and they abandoned the Lord, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and they followed other gods from the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed down to them; so they provoked the Lord to anger. 13 They abandoned the Lord and served Baal and the Ashtaroth (ASH’-TOH-RETH). 14 Then the anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and He handed them over to plunderers, and they plundered them; and He sold them into the hands of their enemies around them, so that they could no longer stand against their enemies. 15 Wherever they went, the hand of the Lord was against them for evil, as the Lord had spoken and just as the Lord had sworn to them, so that they were severely distressed. – Judges 2:11-15 (NASB)
4 Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth (LAP’-ID-OTH), was judging Israel at that time. 5 She used to sit under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah (RAH’-MAH) and Bethel (BETH’-EL) in the hill country of Ephraim (EF’-RA-IM); and the sons of Israel went up to her for judgment. 6 Now she sent word and summoned Barak (BEH’-RAK) the son of Abinoam (AB-IN-OH’-AM) from Kedesh (KEDD-ESH)-naphtali (NAF’-TA-LIE), and said to him, “The Lord, the God of Israel, has indeed commanded, ‘Go and march to Mount Tabor, and take with you ten thousand men from the sons of Naphtali (NAF’-TA-LIE) and from the sons of Zebulun (ZEBB’-YU-LUN).7 I will draw out to you Sisera (SISS-ER-A), the commander of Jabin’s (JEH’-BINN) army, with his chariots and his many troops to the river Kishon (KY’-SHON), and I will hand him over to you.’” 8 Then Barak (BEH’-RAK) 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.” 9 She said, “I will certainly go with you; however, the fame shall not be yours on the journey that you are about to take, for the Lord will sell Sisera (SISS-ER-A) into the hand of a woman.” Then Deborah got up and went with Barak (BEH’-RAK) to Kedesh. (KEDD-ESH) 10 Barak (BEH’-RAK) summoned Zebulun (ZEBB’-YU-LUN) and Naphtali (NAF’-TA-LIE) to Kedesh (KEDD-ESH) , and ten thousand men went up with him; Deborah also went up with him. – Judges 4:4-10 (NASB)
The BIG Idea:
Deborah was a true friend to the people of Israel. She was focused on helping each person accomplish God’s agenda for their lives. We need friends who seek to be under God’s covering and who will always have our backs covered as well! A friend like Deborah will fight alongside us in our spiritual battles and cover us in prayer from afar. Even when we are not faithful, God proves to be faithful by providing friends like Deborah.
ILLUSTRATION: The wisdom of buying shares of Apple when introduced to the public
“Life is deep and simple, and what our society gives us is shallow and complicated.” – Fred Rogers (1928-2003)
The Israelites failed to pass on and teach their faith to the next generation. Judges chapter 2 reveals the consequence of such a failure.
Even when we are not faithful, God proves to be faithful!
We find ourselves under God’s covering when we listen to God.
*Deborah is one of only three people in all Biblical history who held the trifold role of Prophet, Judge, and military leader for the Hebrews! Moses and Samuel are the other two.
3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep listen to his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he puts all his own sheep outside, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. – John 10:3-4 (NASB)
We place ourselves under God’s covering by faith.
Now faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen. – Hebrews 11:1 (NASB)
We must know the difference between a backstabber and a back coverer.
Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy. – Proverbs 27:6 (NASB)
1-3 Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived. 4-5 Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life. 6 Be very sure now, you who have been trained to a self-sufficient maturity, that you enter into a generous common life with those who have trained you, sharing all the good things that you have and experience. 7-8 Don’t be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life. 9-10 So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith. – Galatians 6:1-10 (The Message)
We are all going to be stabbed in the back at some point in life.
A backstabber is focused on advancing his or her own agenda. A back coverer is focused on advancing God’s agenda.
We all need to understand that we’ve probably been both at some point in our lives.
The Mouth (Critical of others or being careful for others?)
The Hands (Clenched defending ourselves or carrying each other?)
The Mind (Comparing ourselves with other and wishing for someone’s downfall or being creative in our mind on how we can come alongside those God has put here in the faith?)
The Heart (Consumed with jealousy and competition because of fear or are we genuine contrite and humble?)
Deborahs fight alongside us on the front lines of our spiritual battles, but mostly they cover us with prayer from a distance.
You can be a Deborah to people whom you do not know.
You can be a Deborah for generations that come after us and before us.
ILLUSTRATION: Medieval Knights as back-coverers for the weak and the wounded.
Questions for Reflection
What is the difference between a CYA (Cover Your Rear) person and a CYB (Cover Your Back) person? Why do you think “backups” mean so much to us?
Who are your protectors now? Who have been your protectors? How important is it that you name your “Deborah?”
Jesus needed solitude after the multitude. Are your multiple Deborahs different from your solitude ones? Can they be the same?
Is having “roast pastor” or “roast small group leader” for Sunday dinner one of those guilty pleasures, like watching reruns of the Jerry Springer show? Do you have any stories about people who proudly lower horns and gore another pastor or ministry leader for the “glory of God?” What can you do to “Deborah” your pastor and ministry leaders?
How do you feel when someone dislikes a person who likes you? What if that same person embraces your enemies? Should it make a difference?
Do you believe you have Deborahs in your life you don’t know about? Have you ever been surprised by a Deborah at work or school? If so, describe your Deborah discovery.
Think about one person who has betrayed you and how you will forgive him or her.
What steps will you take to make sure you will be a back coverer instead of a backstabber?