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Judges 4
What does a judging prophetess, an evil king, a faithful Israelite leader, a violent general on the run, and a woman with a tent peg all share in common? They are all major players in the dramatic and suspenseful story that unfolds in Judges 4
After reading, rereading, researching, cross-referencing, and reading this entire text again, I have but one significant question---What if?
What if the sons of Israel had not done evil in the sight of the Lord, but walked in obedience to His Commandments, and had been a blessing to the surrounding nations?
What if the prophetess Deborah had been able to simply serve as a Judge and counselor in the land of Israel, and had not been required to summon faithful Barak, and pronounce war against the evil King Jabin and his notoriously violent commander Sisera?
What if Jael had not found it necessary to assassinate Sisera with a hammer and tent peg at his most vulnerable moment?
The skeptic and critic alike often look at these stories of the Old Testament and find it easy to blame Almighty God for the horrendous and hideous actions of both those opposing and rebelling against His ways. And yet, what if the extreme violence and carnage we observe on the pages of Scripture was actually a natural consequence for those who chose to live in hostility toward the Prince of Peace? I suppose that "what if" questions could go back to the Garden of Eden, when disobedience and rebellion first showed it's ugly face!
While it is easy for me to look back and place blame on others for the many evils in the world, what if I lived in obedience to God by honoring my wife, blessing my children and friends, and serving my community? What if we all chose to trust and obey?