Though we are in Judges chapter four, it’s the last chapter and last verse of Judges that helps us understand all that’s unfolding.
Judges 21:25 says, “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”
The sinful actions of the people and the cycle of captivity Judges describe are a direct result of everyone doing what was right in their own eyes. It’s what happens even today when we want to go our own way. When we refuse to live by God’s plans for our lives.
Dr. Tony Evans, in a brief overview of the book of Judges, points out the cycles in Judges. He notes, “Disobedience brings discipline, and repentance brings deliverance.”
And God does deliver. Each time the Israelites sin, they are overrun by their enemies and become captives. Once they repent and return to God, God raises up a Judge to rescue and deliver the people.
This time, in Judges 4, God raises up a female Judge, Deborah. She’s victorious in battle and another woman, Jael, kills the enemy king. Israel is free once more, and God has rescued His people through the hands of women.
During this time in history, there’s nothing culturally normal about this story. The fact that God chose women to deliver His people must have been shocking. But God often works in ways we cannot fathom.
He will once again use a woman to help fulfill His ultimate rescue plan–a plan that will end the cycle of sin forever. Mary will give birth to the ultimate Judge–Jesus.
Unlike the Judges of Israel, who were flawed, Jesus was and is perfect. And today, He offers deliverance of self and sin and the gift of eternal life for anyone willing to repent and call on His name.
Blessings
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