Scripture Passage
“Sisera asked for water,
and she gave him milk.
In a bowl fit for nobles,
she brought him yogurt”
(Judges 5:25 NLT)
Observation
One of my favorite sections of Scripture again today! Part of it, of course, is because I married a Deborah (a name, BTW, which means “Honeybee”). Indeed, I’ve tried quoting Judges 5:12 to my wife many mornings, but for some reason, it’s never elicited a positive response!
Part of my affection for these chapters revolves around the poetry of chapter 5. I’m no great student of poetry, but I do love the images projected by the language of The Song of Deborah. How about that Jael?
“Sisera asked for water,
and she gave him milk.
In a bowl fit for nobles,
she brought him yogurt”
(Judges 5:25 NLT)
Yeah, and then she planted a tent peg in the ground—right through his temple! I’m tellin’ you—that’s a conniving housewife! (New reality series: “Real Housewives of the Oak of Zaanannim near Kedesh”!)
Most of all, I love the way God overcame the technological military advantage of the Canaanites (Sisera commanded 900 iron chariots!)—apparently with a simple thunderstorm that flooded the valley and (probably) left the chariots stuck in the mud (see 5:20-21).
Isn’t that what we just talked about a few days ago?
“… you will drive out the Canaanites from the valleys, too, even though they are strong and have iron chariots.” (Joshua 17:18 NLT)
What Joshua promised was indeed quite possible—an apparent advantage held by the enemies of God’s people was no problem for the God of Heaven and Earth. A simple thunderstorm took care of that.
So what are you facing—what am I facing—that seems so insurmountable? I hear thunder. Where's that tent peg?
3 comments:
Praise God that he always comes through His mercy is forever. And watch out for those tent pegs!
I really think the beauty of this story about the canaanites is that what we as humans see as an insurmountable task, it is just as simple as God making it rain. This by fae is another reason to put your troubles on God's shoulders and let him guide you through. Glen H
I can't help but wondering about when Jael gave Sisera the milk instead of water if that could've been a sign of him not being able to trust her or if the milk was something 'above and beyond' his request, like asking someone for a small bite to eat and they bring you a lavish turkey dinner instead.
Either way it seems odd that the detail of milk instead of water being brought to him is even mentioned in the story. It's amazingly endless what we can learn from the Bible concerning human relations...
On a more serious note: I am thanking God for what I got out of today's reading because I am realizing how much He wants to show Himself to us. In the story of Gideon who refers to himself as the 'runt of the litter' (in the Message) in his family. He asks the angel to reveal if he is truly serious about him being able to defeat Midian as one man. (see 6:15-22)
How many times do I feel like the runt?? What if I went to God with my issues and asked Him where I could serve Him? I think of God as the God who wants to reveal this to us if we are willing to ask in faith and serve Him wholeheartedly. Miracles happen everyday!
How many times did Isreal turn their backs on God? And how many times did God not return to them when they repented and turned from their wicked ways? Hallelujah!! Grace like rain falls down on us!!!
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