2024_02_09 Insight Post- Karenna Rowenhorst
This week’s reading- Judges 4, Judges 5, Hebrews 11:32-34
I’ve always enjoyed hearing the story of Deborah, the judge and prophetess. In my old Sunday School flannelgraph stories, she was seated on fancy cushions underneath a huge palm tree, with many people seeking her out for her wisdom and leadership. As a young girl, it felt exciting to me to see how God called a woman to serve the Israelites in this way. Deborah is an inspiration for us in many ways, and especially that God can use anyone who puts their trust and faith in Him.
Deborah calls on Barak, son of Abinoam, to lead an army against the Canaanites, and together under the guidance of God, they serve up a swift defeat. There is much we can learn from her actions with Barak, and his choices as they follow God. But as I was reading this week, I was intrigued by the song that comes after the defeat of Sisera. It is called The Song of Deborah, and it is believed to be one of the earliest poems recorded in Scripture. After God delivered the Israelites a victory in the valley of Jezreel, Deborah and Barak sing this song of victory, but also rebuke, to the people of Israel. The celebration over the battle is clear, but the part that stood out to me was the criticism of some of the tribes of Israel who did not join Barak and Deborah in the fight.
“But in the tribe of Reuben
there was great indecision.
Why did you sit at home among the sheepfolds—
to hear the shepherds whistle for their flocks?
Yes, in the tribe of Reuben
there was great indecision.
Gilead remained east of the Jordan.
And why did Dan stay home?
Asher sat unmoved at the seashore,
remaining in his harbors.”
Judges 5:15b-17
The tribes of Ephraim, Benjamin, Manasseh, Issachar, Zebulun and Naphtali all respond to Barak’s call to join him. But the tribes of Reuben, Gad, Dan, and Asher do not. Now, it’s a big decision to join a battle, especially if you have to travel great distances (many of the tribes who joined in the battle were geographically closer, so it may have been an easier decision for them). And it’s not something to be made lightly, but I think when God calls you to join, you join!
But I am fascinated by the picture we are given of the tribes who don’t go – they are paralyzed with indecision, distracted by things going on at home, and busy with their own jobs. This is a completely relatable problem! I have a hard time making decisions, big or small, and I can remember times when indecision has held me back from something good that God was trying to bring about in my life. Do you struggle with indecision? Do you sometimes focus on the wrong thing so you don’t have to acknowledge the bigger decision you are faced with? It is so much easier to pick minor tasks to busy our brains so we don’t have to engage with the hard decision or the challenging task that we need to address. I’m feeling particularly close to the tribe of Asher – who Deborah says “sat unmoved at the seashore” instead of joining in the fight. The selfish side of me says that I’ll take a day at the beach over confronting something challenging any day!
But honestly, at the end of a beach day can you feel proud of what you’ve accomplished? Can you join in with others and feel a victory? Will you be able to give a shout of praise to God?
So instead, let’s accept the challenge, join the fight, and know that we can accomplish God’s good works that he has set out for us. And I pray we remember Deborah’s powerful vision for the people of God when she says, “But may those who love you rise like the sun in all its power!”. When we unite together to accomplish God’s purpose, we have power beyond anything we can imagine.
Karenna Rowenhorst
Senior Director of Education