Sunday we are recognizing and honoring mothers. They are very special people. Because of them we have the care they can only come from unqualified love. We are going to look at this text in Judges for a unique woman named Deborah. She is called the mother of Israel. (5:7) She was married to a man named Lipidoth but it is not recorded if she personally had any children. Her countrymen, her neighbors, her nation were her children. She is the only woman in the list of men who were judges over Israel.
It was at a time in which Israel was doing evil in the sight of the Lord. A very special person was needed at that time to speak for God. Scripture says that her people were sold into the hands of the king of Canaan for 20 years. As in other times, after the people backslid into evil ways and were punished by God, they cried out to him for deliverance.
Her nation was oppressed when God selected Deborah to be the judge of Israel. At that time there was no prophet or king. There were only judges God used for his people. She has been called a prophetess which means she had a unique relationship with God. The first and best thing that a mother can do of anytime period is to be devoted to the Lord. Her influence on children is invaluable. She guides them in spiritual ways when they are young.
Deborah had a unique place where people would come seeking guidance from her. It was her judgment influenced by the Holy Spirit that were supportive to anyone who came. This is true of today’s godly mother. She provides special direction to her children and her husband whenever the need is present. She is always available.
When there are battles in life mother is there. The commander of the Army named Barak replied to Deborah that he would follow God’s instructions if she would go with him. There is a bit of irony in this conversation. Here we have a soldier and many other soldiers available to go to war, but they would not without a woman among them. She wanted it perfectly clear that with her among those who attacked the enemy there was a woman. She told him that he was not to have the honor for the battle because God was delivering the victory into the hand of a woman. In the toughest of battles a godly woman will be available regardless of the location or the need. Mom is a personification of victory!
Mother is the inspiration for her children to win a battle just as Deborah told Barak, “Up, for this is the day which the Lord has delivered…” Mothers throughout history have directed their children into conquest because what she said came from the Lord. (4:14) The enemy abandoned his chariot to flee on foot away from God’s directive. (4:15) At this point we find another woman who would go to any length so that enemies would be dispatched. The commander of the enemy army came upon a tent where Jael was. She tricked him so that she could ultimately kill him that there would be peace. (4:18-24) The fact that she pounded a nail in his head showed her determination. Sarah Palin, the governor of Alaska and vice president nominee said, “Don’t mess with mama bear.” Mothers of any age have a defense mechanism built into them to protect her loved ones.
One last thought. The death of Deborah is not recorded in Scripture. She was the mother of Israel and helped bring peace for many years. The influence from a mother has no death certificate. What mother taught, what mother showed, what mother did will always have a lasting effect on her own.
Christian Writer 