Prt 2: Deborah: Shattering the Myth of Punishment in Israel

© Jane Isley

If you missed the first part, you can click here.

Today, we are starting with that infamous “no men available” comment.

I’m no Biblical scholar, but I do awesomely possess the ability to read and write. I see unmistakable evidence in Chapters 4 and 5 that there were men available. We learn that there were quite a few, in fact, and among them were leaders and princes. 

But didn’t see any direct or indirect references to a lack of men or unwilling men. Did you?

This is where this bad theology happened, not just with what happened during that Bible study, but for generations, this has been a thing.

From what I have figured out, the “no men available” was based on a male “interpretation” of Judges 4 and 5. Since she was a woman, it somehow just had to be a punishment. It’s literally just a made-up theology because this is somehow, and I still don’t understand this, a threat to men?

Not only is this extremely insulting to both men and women, but it is a worse insult to God. You’re really going to question God and throw in some frazzled fluff to support your opinion, I think not.

I also fail to understand why man’s counterpart in God’s creation plan isn’t actually allowed to be a counterpart in God’s church plan, according to men. Think about that one. 

A “forgotten” verse, or as I call it, “cherry-picking” your way to Heaven.

“Yahweh raised up judges, who saved them out of the hand of those who plundered them.” Judges 2:16

If I were in person right now, I’d be repeating that verse with some spiciness in my voice. 

This was said in Chapter 2, before we meet Deborah and the others.

This verse does more than just confirm the Israelites' cycle I talked about in my first article. It shows us that God had a plan and that already included raising up Deborah. 

To ignore this verse is quite telling of those who do so.

The person’s opinions and feelings should have come to a screeching halt with that verse. But I guess it’s ok to alter things a bit since he is a pastor after all, he thinks his pulpit gives him the authority to teach bad theology that caters to his personal feelings.

To quote Maia Vashti

“Even if there was a supposed lack of qualified men, that wouldn’t have stopped God from finding a man if that was His requirement for that role. She was who He wanted and what Israel needed at that time.”

What about Barak? I do have to talk about him a bit; that guy gets picked on quite a bit. 

I found that some really enjoy arguing about Barak’s response in Judges 4:8 and make assumptions. They say he was either afraid, lacked faith, didn’t like that she was a woman, or was timid.

There are a few things to consider before running with these, as though they are facts. I’m about to get a bit more technical, but I promise to keep it short and to the point. 😊

• His response has been automatically assumed to mean that he was in some way angry, was faithless, or afraid. We are not told. Therefore, we should assume his reasons based on one response.

• His request was actually a reasonable one. She was, after all, a military leader. All the Judges were, that was a part of their role, and if thought through. Shows his respect for Deborah and God, and her relationship with God also. (Moses asked something similar of God to btw)

• He knew he would not get credit, and in a moment, I’ll show you his reaction to that.

• A verse to remember while considering all the above.

  
  

“What more shall I say? For the time would fail me if I told of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked out righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,” Hebrews 11: 32–33

Ah, yes, Barak’s reaction after they won, knowing he wasn’t going to get credit.

Chapter 5 is devoted to the Song of Deborah and Barak. Where both Deborah and Barak sing that Jael (a woman) is blessed for what she did.

Barak knew he wouldn’t receive credit, yet he sang blessings to Jael along with praises, honor, and thanksgiving to God.

He sang, inspired by the Holy Spirit. 

Doesn’t sound like a man who was upset about things to me or wasn’t blessed. 

Who was chosen by God to lead, whose part of their deliverance from Sisera was not an issue with God. Why is it still an issue to some?

I want to state: I’m not attempting to insert an answer as to why he wasn’t the one chosen at that time to lead, but to show we can’t debase him or presume anything either. We have to look at everything as a whole, not just his one response. That’s how we wind up with so many issues in the first place.

Part 3 is on it's way and here is part 1 if you missed it.

© Jane Isley

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