"In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" Judges 17:6.
That is one of the saddest verses in the Bible. Crime ran rampant, yet in the book of Judges two women stand out with a lesson for godly living amid a time of everyone doing what was right in their own eyes.
- Deborah--The Judicial Scholar
was judging Israel at that time” Judges 4: 4”
Deborah must have been a holy woman of prayer and strong in her faith to have people trust her as judge in Israel, when men were doing what was right in their own eyes.
Deborah’s faith in God and His ability to save her and her people showed through her stand against the evil in her country. Although she couldn’t lead as a man could have, (she held no office in town but under a tree where people came to her), she took a firm stand on the side of right and spoke against the wrong. And she even rebukes the general of the army who loses out on a great blessing when he shows a weakness in engaging into battle with the enemy.
What shame it is to a people when the women are the strong walls of faith and not the fathers, husbands and sons. How many blessings are lost to marriages, families, communities and even churches because god-fearing men are not leading.
Lesson: In faith and knowledge of God, stand strong in times of trouble.
- Manoah's Wife: The Energetic Believer
(The Angel of the LORD said to her) "Now therefore,
please be careful not to drink wine or similar drink,
and be careful not to eat anything unclean" Judges 13: 4.
The pre-incarnate Jesus came to this God-fearing woman and gave her a conditional promise. Keep yourself holy for you are destined for great things. In her enthusiasm for obedience, she took her husband into the presence of God where he was commanded to stay aware of his wife's life choices. When this husband and wife got on the same track, from that day on, their home would be forever changed by the LORD's visit.
Lesson: Obedience to God will change you and your family in surprising ways.
For Deborah, and Manoah's wife, their lives are witness to what godly women can do through faith in the promises of God. These women had a life of prayer. Make a difference in your home, community and your church through faith, wisdom and prayer.
Bonus....
Another woman stands out for a totally different reason--a bold woman who knew who to ask for blessings.
Achsah--the Intelligent Beauty Queen
“Then Calab said, “Whoever attacks Kirjath Sepher and takes it,
to him I will give my daughter Achsah as wife” Judges 1: 12.
How would you like to have that as your marriage proposal? It would be safe to assume she's a pretty girl and even as the youngest, must have been quite a bride to win. A soldier named Othniel beat the competition and became the husband to this woman.
It appears not only is she satisfied to be the bride of a mighty soldier who won a city and her hand, this strong-willed woman goes to her father with a bold request. This girl rides a horse into the army camp, dismounts and asks her father straight out for a specific plot of land filled with springs. This gal is right on the mark, knowing the wealth in owning fresh water. And furthermore, she knew exactly who to ask--her Father!
Lesson: Go straight to the source of the power to give you what you need. God's blessings begin in His throne room and when we are strong in Him, we will see blessings we never imagined. The springs of life are ours when we ask God for them.
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Thank you.
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