August 9 - Judges 4, 5 - "Leading Men"

MPC 9th August 2020.

Phil Campbell

MANsplaining.

If you're a bloke you may not of heard of it. Ladies. If you haven't. I'll explain it to you later!

MANspreading. You've sat next to it on the train.

MANchild. Emotionally immature. All he wants to do is play games, drink beer and watch the footy.

MANflu. I want you to know ladies, science says it's true.

But listen. You've heard all the terms before. And they're just not fair, are they. At least for half of us.

Where's the tomato sauce? Right in front of you. You're having a MAN-look...

We're living in an age where it's tough to be a bloke sometimes. And you get sledged for it. Just for being in a certain half of humanity. Which is only fair maybe if you're part of the other half. Who've been copping it for generations.

But seriously, it's been pointed out that these days being a man is kind of like the equivalent to the days when Irish jokes were a thing. Now it's men who just look useless and dumb.

If you're a bloke here today, step into real life for a minute, step into your life, and maybe things aren't quite that grim. But at least if you're anything like me, in our worst moments we're so easily caught up in selfishness. And laziness. And cowardice. We want to be comfortable. We want to be looked after. We want to have fun. And we want to avoid confrontation at all costs.

Now the fact is, that's nothing new. Because in today's epic story in Judges chapter 4, from one angle at least, the men of Israel... come out looking lazy, ordinary, and dumb. It's a story about who turns up. And who doesn't. When the heat's on. Which we'll see then reflected in the song in Chapter 5.

So let's take a look as the story unfolds in Judges chapter 4.

ANOTHER DEADLY CYCLE

We're going through another one of those deadly cycles that we've seen the last two weeks that make up the backbone of the book.

Those deadly downward spirals. Israel does evil in the eyes of the Lord. They rebel. And so Israel pays the price.

And then Israel turns back to God. repents. And God raises up a judge who saves them from their enemies. A rescuer. And then the pattern starts all over again. So you'll notice in chapter 4 verse 1, another cycle.

Judge Ehud dies, verse 1; whom we met last week. And no sooner is Ehud laid to rest that the Israelites are straight back to their rebellion. And it says, "The Israelites once again did evil in the eyes of the Lord." So the Lord sells them into the hands of Jabin, a King of Canaan, who reigns in Hazor in the North. With Sisera in command of his army.

Sisera sounds like a scary guy Although maybe in the end he's not as scary as he sounds. But the point is, he's got 900 iron chariots. Weapons of mass destruction. Chariots that can ride over anything else; with optional blades and spikes on the wheels. And Sisera, we're told in verse 3, has had the upper hand for 20 years.

So here's the cycle. The Israelites come to their senses... they repent of their idolatry. And they cry to the Lord for help.

Here's the thing. We're thinking about the men of Israel. And usually when Israel cries out to God he raises up a a strong man. A warrior judge. To lead them into battle. But notice at this point, their judge is a middle aged woman named Deborah.

A prophetess. In fact, that's what the name debah-rah literally means. If she was a Marvel Super hero she'd be Word-Girl.

And here she is, sitting under the palm tree that's been named in her honour, and Israelites turn up for Deborah to judge their disputes. Much like Judge Judy on TV.

A WORD FROM THE LORD

And verse 6, Deborah has had a word from the Lord. And so she sends for Barak of Kedesh in Naphtali. A man from the North Country.

A place name I want you remember.

And Deborah says to Barak the words you can see in verse 6. She says,

The Lord , the God of Israel, commands you: 'go, take with you ten thousand men of Napthali and Zebulun and lead the way to Mount Tabor. And God says, I will lure Sisera, the commander of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his troops to the Kishon River and give him into your hands.'

If you're not too busy.

Judge Deborah says, get the men together, and the Lord will do the rest. And Sisera and his iron chariots will be all yours.

Sounds risky. Except that this is dabah-rah speaking, the prophetess. And she's speaking the word of the lord. So all he has to do is trust it.

Take a look at what Barak says. He says to Judge Deborah in verse 8, "If you go with me, I will go; but if you don't go with me, I won't go." I'm staying here. Typical. bloke.

At which point Deborah says, "Okay I'll come. But because you're not going to be a man, the honour won't be yours. For the Lord will hand Sisera over to a woman."

You think Sisera's too tough for you? Well, he's going to be beaten by a girl.

ZEBULUN AND NAPTHALI

So look, Barak rounds up the men of Zebulun and Naphtali. And verse 10 says that "ten thousand men followed him - and Deborah also went with him." To hold his hand.

The men of Zebulun and Naphtali. And they're on their way.

Past Heber the Kenite's place in verse 11. Which is where the whole story's going to come to its climax...

Meanwhile. At the other camp, Sisera with his iron chariots, has heard that Barak's out to get him. That he's gone up Mount Tabor.

Now I'm not much of a strategist. But I'm guessing a mountain is a pretty good place to take on a guy who's got nine hundred iron chariots. There's some wisdom in this. And it all comes from Deborah. Who got it from God.

So verse 13, over-confident bully-boy Sisera gets together his nine hundred iron chariots and all the men with him, and they're ready for battle.

While the guys from Israel are on their mountain waiting for the word from Deborah. And Deborah says to Barak, "Go! This is the day the Lord has given Sisera into your hands. Hasn't the Lord gone ahead of you?" And so Barak and his ten thousand men go hurling down the mountain, and verse 15 says "at Barak's advance, the Lord routed Sisera and all his chariots and army by the sword, and Sisera abandoned his chariot and fled on foot."

And Barak chases the chariots all the way home. And Sisera's troops fall by the sword; until not a man... is left. Tough guys with their chariots. But not much good without them.

Which brings us back to that tree we came past on the way to the battle. The tent of Heber the Kenite. And his wife Jael.

A WOMAN'S TOUCH

Here's Sisera, verse 17, not so tough. Running scared.

He's at the flap of the tent, and Jael, she comes out to meet him; invites him in. "Come on in. Don't be afraid." Because she can see the fear in his eyes and hear it in his voice. So he comes in the tent, and she puts a rug over him.

Now look, I reckon there's some ancient Israelite humour going on here. And I kind of wonder whether Sisera's being painted a bit as the original sissy boy. Talks big when he's got a gun in his hand. But now he's just like a big kid.

Verse 19, can I have a drink of water? She gives him milk instead. And tucks him up under a blanket. Safe. Or so he thinks.

Now remember for a minute the words of Deborah.

The God of Israel has said, the tyrant who terrorised his people is going to meet his end at the hand of a woman. Because the men of Israel won't be men. Maybe you've been thinking that's going to be Deborah the judge. But it's not.

ANY MAN HERE?

Which brings us to verse 20; which is played out with deliberate irony. I love irony. I mean, don't you reckon it's ironic that the head office of Otis Elevators at West End is only two stories high? And has no elevator? That's ironic.

And I think there's irony here. Sisera says, "Stand in the doorway of the tent," verse 20; and our English translation has missed the irony. He doesn't say if any one comes. He says, "If any man comes by and asks you, 'is any man here?' say 'no.' " If anyone comes and asks is there a man in the house... the answer's no.

And the truth is, it's going to be "no" every possible way you can think of. Because this is all going to be down to a woman.

Because as soon as Sisera's asleep, and this is going to get gruesome... Jael picks up a tent peg... and grabs a hammer... she tip-toes to the place where he's snoring under the rug. And she lifts back the hammer and she whacks it. And drives the tent peg through his temple into the ground; and the great enemy of Israel is dead.

All it took was girl with a tent peg and a glass of milk.

Barak arrives. Fresh from chasing the chariots. Jael goes out to meet him. "Come on in... I'll show you the man you're looking for." So he goes in with her, and there's Sisera, pinned to the ground, dead. Killed. By the hand of a woman. But really, by the hand of God. Just as he'd promised through the words of Deborah the prophet.

And verse 23 says, "on that day God subdued Jabin, the Canaanite king, before the Israelites. And the hand of the Israelites grew stronger and stronger against Jabin, the Canaanite king, until they destroyed him."

And the cycle is complete.

THE SONG

But it's interesting in this case that in chapter 5, you get the story all over again. As a song. The Song of Deborah. It's a bit like watching a Disney movie. You get the action. Then everyone sings. Not sure in this case what the tune is. But on that day, Deborah and Barak, they sing a victory song. A song that re-tells the story. But more than that. Makes some key value judgements about what's been going on. Some key value judgements - especially about the men of Israel. And their willingness. Or otherwise. To step up.

Hum along if you like. The words are in verse 2 of chapter 5.

2 When the princes in israel take the lead, when the people willingly offer themselves - praise the lord !

Because up until this point the men of Israel have been sitting on their hands. Which meant until Deborah came to sort things out nobody was safe.

Because not a man could be bothered taking a stand for justice. Or had the courage. Because of the risk involved. Look at verses 6 and 7.

NOWHERE SAFE

6In the days of Shamgar son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the roads were abandoned; travellers took to winding paths. 7Village life in Israel ceased, ceased... until I, Deborah, arose, arose a mother in Israel.

Wasn't safe to go out at night. Wasn't safe on the roads. Because you'd be hijacked. Or worse. So stay out of sight. Stay out of trouble. Take the back road.

And not a man among them did anything about it. Israel lived in fear. Until Deborah came.

Verse 8; When they chose new gods, war came to the city gates, and not a shield or spear was seen among forty thousand in Israel. Nobody lifted a hand. Not a man among them.

Until now. And finally ... even though Barak didn't really want to... until now, they've finally got their act together. And so Deborah says, good on you guys. You've finally done something.

WILLING VOLUNTEERS

She says, "My heart is with Israel's princes, with the willing volunteers among the people. Praise the Lord! And at last, the people of Israel have got something to sing about. Some righteous warrior princes to be proud of."

At last. Willing to step up. At last. willing volunteers. And so now. Verse 10. People are back on the roads. Riding their white donkeys. Sitting on their saddle blankets. Singing songs of victory.

Except, you'll notice, not everybody stepped up. And the rest... are on the list of shame. Verse 14. Tribe of Reuben; a no-show.

There's wringing of hands. There's searching of hearts. There's lots of, O sorry Deborah, we can't make it 'cause we've got to look after the sheep.

16Why did you stay among the campfires to hear the whistling for the flocks? In the districts of Reuben there was much searching of heart.

And Gilead. And Dan. And Asher as well. Sorry. Too busy. Looking after the ships. To take a stand for the Lord God of Israel.

The cowards of Israel didn't even join in. While God fought and won the battle - in a most unlikely way. With these guys. The ones we saw in chapter 4. Here they are in the song in Verse 18...

The people of Zebulun risked their very lives. So did Napthali on the terraced fields. Willingly. Putting their lives on the line. For the salvation of God's people.

JAEL'S JUSTICE

And so the song wraps up; with woman Jael, verse 24. Who when the mighty Sisera comes, gives him curdled milk. Tucks him up like a little boy. And strikes him dead.

And just to confirm that Sisera really was just a mummy's boy, the final stanza... the sad little picture of the warrior's mum. Peering through the lattice window. Saying why is he so late home from work? Oh, it's because he's raping a few women and choosing some nice embroidered dress material to bring home for me. No it's not. It's because he's dead. With a stake through his head. And so may all your enemies perish, O Lord, says Deborah. "But may they who love you be like the sun when it rises in its strength." And so the land, says verse 31, has peace... for forty years.

So what are we new covenant Christians in Episode 4 today meant to make of it all?

Blokes. You might be a little bit relieved that I'm not going to sledge you for being like the comfortable men of Israel. Not at this point, anyway.

If you're here this morning and you're a wife of a bloke like that, you might be a bit disappointed.

I'm not going to critique at this point the fact that you love being a hero when you're fighting battles on your Playstation. But when it comes to hard conversations. Or standing up for what's right. You'd rather run away. I'm not going to sledge the way we want to be comfortable at all costs. And play with our boats and our toys. The way as men we want to be looked after. And be served rather than serve.

POINTING TO JESUS

What I am going to do... Is point all of us to Jesus.

Remembering that in the gospel it's always God who fights and wins the battle for his people. Often in most unusual ways. That God loves to overturn the strong. With the power of weakness.

There's an interesting thread as you follow through the big story of the bible. A thread that keeps shining a light on those two little tribes of Zebulun and Napthali. The guys most willing to sacrifice. Most willing to risk their lives. When everyone else pulls back. The prophet Isaiah, much later, says this:

Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali; but in the future he will honour Galilee of the Gentiles, by way of the sea, beyond the Jordan...

Those northern tribes that eventually ended up in exile. One day God's going to honour Zebulun and Naphtali all over again. Because one day, from Galilee... that's what it's called in the New Testament as well... one day from Galilee... is going to come a man of Israel who is willing to serve. At the risk of his own life. Even more than those who came before.

Who is willing to pay the ultimate price. And give up everything. For the sake of his people.

And of course, that's Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus the Galilean. Jesus, who willingly goes to the cross, nailed with a hammer and spikes to willingly die the death we deserved; taking on the power of sin and death.

Looks so weak. Looks so much like a loser. And a victim. And yet in the end stands up again undefeated.

If you're here today or you're listening today and you're not sure what it means to be a Christian, you'll maybe need some help to decode that. Because this is central. Ask someone. That the way we're saved... is through him fighting for us. And looking like he's beaten. And we put our faith in that. Kinda weird. But very good.

Because we. Don't need to be the heroes. Don't have to do the saving. Just have to trust his word. Just to lock that in, take a look what Matthew says in his gospel. Chapter 4. Because he quotes exactly those words from Isaiah.

Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali - to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: "Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, The way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles - the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned."

It's Jesus. Who stands up as the man on our behalf. Taking God at his word. Fighting our battle. Dying our death. Winning our salvation so we don't have to earn it ourselves.

LEADING MEN

Which doesn't mean, by the way, that it's okay to be uncommitted Christians. Especially I reckon, half hearted Christian men. I mean, you don't have to be tough guy. Or impressive. Just willing. To trust God, step up and serve.

So you'll start to take the initiative as a Christian leader in your home. In how you speak. And what you model. And what you insist on. Even taking on the weekly battle of getting the kids to church. Or zoom. On The Simpsons, it's always Marge who wants to go to church. And Homer wants to stay home. How is it at your place?

That if you're a younger bloke, you'll take the initiative in relationships. Instead of being too scared to commit.

I reckon it's so often the women who lead the way in faithfulness. And the men tag along objecting. Holding back. The men of Israel. Will we, won't we? Lots of soul searching - no action. Mice. Instead of men.

While the women in this passage are great. Deborah. Jael. Not so much Sisera's mum waiting for him at home. But Deborah. Nudging the men of Israel to be what they should be. Courageous, strong, faithful. I love Christian women like that. And I love being part of a church that's got lots of women like that. And yet I reckon the thing impressive Godly Christian women want most... is more Godly Christian men.

The opening page of one of Tom Clancy's books has a quote. It says this. The only two lines on the page:

Heroes... are often the most ordinary of men.

But that's all we need. Ordinary guys. Ready and willing to step up and take serving Jesus seriously. Willing to step up and take God at his word. In every part of life. Following his example as the one man of the land of Zebulun and Napthali who's given everything in service for us. Stepping up as men of God. Alongside women of God. In sometimes costly and courageous service of God.

Table of Contents

ANOTHER DEADLY CYCLE

A WORD FROM THE LORD

ZEBULUN AND NAPTHALI

A WOMAN'S TOUCH

ANY MAN HERE?

THE SONG

NOWHERE SAFE

WILLING VOLUNTEERS

JAEL'S JUSTICE

POINTING TO JESUS

LEADING MEN