A Word from Judges 4

Who are some of the women who’ve shaped your life? The women who nurtured and guided you? The women who taught and inspired you? The women whom God used to bring you closer to Himself?

I ask this because today’s word from Judges Chapter 4 tells the story of Deborah—one of the many women in scripture who led, and taught, and exercised authority, so that God’s people could be rescued and called back to the way of faithfulness. And if you don’t know Deborah’s story, you ought to check it out. Because it tells how she and another woman named Jael saved God’s people by defeating a powerful enemy. And it demonstrates how—even in a male-dominated culture like ancient Israel—God was using women to provide leadership.

Ironically, we Baptists recently passed a resolution saying that women shouldn’t hold certain leadership positions, because (and I quote) “the Bible says women shouldn’t exercise authority over men” (unquote). And while you can find a verse or two that says that—at least in some places, under some conditions—to make that a binding word for all places and all conditions means ignoring all the women in Bible who led and taught, who were named as deacons and apostles, and who were chosen by God to be the first preachers of the resurrection.

Of course, I don’t mean to get on a soapbox about such things, because it doesn’t exactly provide an encouraging and uplifting devotional thought to start the day. But maybe this will help.

Could we give thanks today for the women who’ve shaped our lives? And could we pray for all the woman who continue to lead, and teach, and serve—in the hope that all of us can be drawn closer to God? Because let’s be honest. The work of God in most churches wouldn’t happen without women! And I give thanks for all the women here at Calvary who lead and inspire us. Amen.