Encouragement
“Then the survivors came down, the people against the nobles (the warring kings of Canaan).” (Judges Chap 5)
Who were the survivors? Those who had been victimized, terrorized, and marginalized. The survivors in the land of Israel were those tough, gritty, courageous people who had been through war, experienced helplessness and despair, and managed to live through it.
Debra was a “mother in Israel,” who rose to the challenge of leading an army of survivors against an invader who sought to plunder her land. In the midst of war, Debra tells the story in song:
“O my soul, march on in strength! Then the horses’ hooves pounded. The galloping, galloping of his (the Canaanite king’s) steeds.”
And then she pronounces a blessing—not upon the kings who came to her side, nor the mighty men of valor whom the survivors stirred to action, but upon another courageous woman , Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite. Though Heber was known to “ride the fence” in the battle between Israel and the kings of Canaan who sought to destroy them, his wife was willing to take an open stand on behalf of God’s chosen people by driving a stake through the head of Canaan’s mighty warrior, Sisera.
The purpose of Sisera is voiced by his mother who waits in vain for his chariot to return to her door. She quenches her fears with these words:
“Are they (the Canaanite army) not finding and dividing the spoil; to every man a girl or two; for Sisera, plunder of dyed garments, Plunder of garments embroidered and dyed, Two pieces of dyed embroidery for the next of the looter?”
Those who support the aggressor in his acts of victimization may think they are “riding the fence” but in reality they have taken their stand, just as Sisera’s mother did in supporting her son in his quest for plunder of the innocents.
Debra concludes her song with these words:
“Thus let all Your enemies perish, O Lord! But let those who love Him be like the sun when it comes out in full strength.”
Rise up, O blessed survivors, and take a stand for others who have been victimized, marginalized, and terrorized and you will “be like the sun when it comes out in full strength.”
*All scriptural references are from the Book of Judges.
(c) Linda Settles
www.RedeemingOurTreasures.com
PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
Reader Count & Comments
Date
The opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com. This is especially true with articles that
deal with personal healthcare and prophecy. We encourage the reader to make their own decision in consultation with God, His Word, and others as needed.
This article has been read 895 times < Previous | Next >
Read more articles by Linda Settles or search for other articles by topic below.
This article has been read 895 times < Previous | Next >
Search for articles on: (e.g. creation; holiness etc.)
Read more by clicking on a link:Free Reprints
Main Site Articles
Most Read Articles
Highly Acclaimed Challenge Articles.
New Release Christian Books for Free for a Simple Review.
NEW - Surprise Me With an Article - Click here for a random URL
God is Not Against You - He Came on an All Out Rescue Mission to Save You
...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them... 2 Cor 5:19
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38
LEARN & TRUST JESUS HERE
FaithWriters offers Christian reading material for Christian readers. We offer Christian articles, Christian fiction, Christian non-fiction, Christian Bible studies, Christian poems, Christian articles for sale, free use Christian articles, Christian living articles, New Covenant Christian Bible Studies, Christian magazine articles and new Christian articles. We write for Jesus about God, the Bible, salvation, prayer and the word of God.