YN246: Faith Influencers * Week #1

Faith Influencer: Deborah 

Review & Overview

I. The Book of Judges

The book of Judges tells us that over time (approx. 300 years) there were twelve judges, and one of them was a woman hand-picked by God to be a deliverer of God’s people at just the right time.

It describes a cycle that the people of God were in for over three-hundred years, even though God had delivered them from slavery in Egypt . . . even though He brought them to their Promised Land.

And even though they knew the consequences of their sin, they put themselves in a spin cycle over and over and over again! And yet, over and over and over again, God raised up deliverers. In chapter 3, After the third judge, Ehud, had died the people began to do evil again and the Lord sold them over to their oppressors. The people were being oppressed by King Jabin and verse 3 says the children of Israel cried out to the Lord. Then God sends Deborah. 

II. Who Is Deborah

Overview of Debrah:

Judges chapters 4-5 tells the story of God’s deliverance of His people through the fourth Judge of Israel. Chapter 4 is a narrative and chapter 5 is the same story but it’s known as Deborah’s song. It’s a song that she wrote about the events of chapter 4. It’s written from Deborah’s perspective after God delivers them and adds more details to the story in chapter 4.  

So in summary and really quickly, God tells Deborah to call on Barak (the commander of the Israelite army) and to tell him to rally up Gods people to fight against King Jabin and that God would deliver the king and Sisera (the kings military commander) into their hands. Barak says “yeah, ok I will go, but you have to come with me”. Deborah agrees and She goes with Barak to battle. They fought the battle. God met them in the battle. He helped them win it. But then Sisera, the commander of the enemy army, got away. He goes to Jael’s (the wife of a man who was friendly with King Jabin) house and she put a tent peg right through his temples as he slept. The Israelites were then able to conquer King Jabin. The people we free of oppression for 20 years after but sadly started the cycle again. 

So, It's a story of Deborah, who is an illustration of a true woman, a woman who exerted strong, godly influence in a way that was distinctively feminine and in a way that encouraged the men around her to be more godly and to take greater leadership.

Deborah was not a weak or wimpy woman. Sometimes I think we have this image if you're going to be a true woman of God you have to be this little weak, wimpy woman. But we see in her story that that’s not true. She was a woman who was valiant. She was courageous while at the same time being humble and womanly. That's a balance that only the Spirit of God can make true in our lives, and that was the case with Deborah.

She influenced an entire nation by knowing God's Word, trusting God's Word, and proclaiming God's Word. Her story is tucked into just a couple of chapters in the book of Judges, written by Samuel 3,000 years after Deborah was a judge in Israel. I feel like she still has a lot to teach us about how to become a woman of influence in a lost culture.

Female Significance:

Why is it significant that the judge we're talking about today for this day and age, the year 1200 B.C., why is it significant that she was female? 

Well, back in that time, it just wasn't common. It was unheard of for women to be in big roles of leadership. Women had their roles and it usually wasn’t a high honor to be a woman in that society. For example, There’s a story in chapter 9 of Abimalech when he is about to set fire to his enemy’s tower and a woman drops a mill stone on his head and he was injured but not quite dead and he tells his armor bearer to kill him with his own sword so that his legacy isn’t that he was killed by a woman (9:52-54). So that kind of gives you an idea of how that society viewed women. 

At first It was probably also intimidating for Deborah to accept the role God gave her as the judge of Israel because of the perception of women in that society. The people probably doubted her in the beginning but, regardless, she owned it. And when the people saw that she knew God and His word from her discernment, they trusted her. What a great example for us to pursue our calling that God has on our lives. It may not look “normal” to us and others but as long as it lines up with the Word of God and it flows naturally, there will be good fruit and God will use you. 

So, I think the fact that God used a woman just spoke volumes. I also think it spoke to the fact that no man would stand up and lead and listen to what the Lord was saying and aid in the deliverance of Israel. So, I think it speaks to God using a woman to get what He wanted to get done accomplished. He was gonna have His plan accomplished, and He did what He had to do. He uses the willing. 

Who is Deborah:

Look at verse 4 of chapter 4.

“Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth was judging Israel at that time. She used to sit under the palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the people of Israel came up to her for judgment (vv. 4–5).” 

Judges 4:4–5 NKJV

4 Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, was judging Israel at that time. 5 And she would sit under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the mountains of Ephraim. And the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.

Her name in Hebrew means “honeybee”. I was going to go into a deep dive on honeybees and how her name fits her but we can save that for another study. We just don’t have enough time. 

So, First, we see that she was a prophetess, and without going into detail about the Old Testament role of prophetess versus New Testament, we know that she had a ministry of teaching the Word of God, of warning and encouraging based on God's Word.

Then we see that she was a wife. I don't think it's insignificant that Scripture points out that she was a wife. This was her primary human relationship, and she was able to serve the Lord without neglecting the home front.

And then she was a judge. Judges in this era were those whom God appointed and raised up to rescue His people from their enemies. Deborah was the fourth judge in Israel. Notice she was not self-appointed. This is not a position when she was nine years old she said, “I would like to grow up and be a judge.” She did not call herself to this.

God raised her up for such a time as this. And the people sought her out to settle differences, to give counsel and wisdom, because here was a woman who knew God and knew His Word. She knew how to listen to His voice.

Here is a woman who was faithfully serving the Lord, serving her family, serving her people and utilizing her God-given gifts, fulfilling her calling. She was a woman who was living for others, not for self. She was not looking for a bigger place, a bigger opportunity, a bigger place of ministry. She was faithfully doing what God had called her to do where He had called her to do it.

We’re going to go over 5 reasons why Deborah is an influencer that we can look up to. 

1. Deborah Was influential Because of Her Perspective

1.1 Her Perspective In Regards to How She See’s Herself

Look at chapter 5:7, “The villagers ceased in Israel; they ceased to be until I arose; I, Deborah, arose as a mother in Israel.” 

Judges 5:7 NKJV

7 Village life ceased, it ceased in Israel, Until I, Deborah, arose, Arose a mother in Israel.

At a very dangerous period of time, when life-as-usual ceased to be, God raised up Deborah—a “mother in Israel.” If I were Deborah, and were writing my own bio, I’d want people to know that I was a prophetess, a warrior, a strategist, a leader. But Deborah wasn’t motivated by recognition or fame. She was motivated by a mother’s heart . . . something that all of us—even singles!—can have for those around us. 

So how does Deborah define herself?

As a mother.

That’s such a female thing to do! We define ourselves by our relationships, and that’s how Deborah does it here. We don’t know if she has physical children; Scripture doesn’t tell us. Other than having children, what defines mothers?

Nurturers.

Life givers. I think about Deuteronomy 6, where God instructs parents for His Word to be on their hearts, and then for them to be nurturing their children with the Word of God all the time, day and night, no matter what they’re doing, wherever they go. That’s what she did through her role as a judge. 

Disciplers. All moms are teachers, all moms are disciplers. Moms are compassionate; we move towards our children with compassion. 

I see in Deborah, as we’re going to jump into the story, mama bear instincts for the people of God. She probably had enough of the people being bullied and oppressed by their enemies. Her people came to her probably hurt and abused daily. Personally, if my kids were getting bullied, my mama bear would come out and I’d defend them. I imagine this was her heart towards the people and her cry to God for them. She probably would try to counsel and judge them with the word of God just like what moms do with their children. 

1. Deborah Was influential Because of Her Perspective

1.2 Her Perspective In Regards to Her Motive

Her Motive was to impact over influence 

Exerting Influence: So what is the distinction between being a woman of influence and being an influencer. Impact over influence. Influencers seek to just influence for a time. But if we seek to be impactful, then we want to make lasting changes in people's lives. Deborah had tremendous impact simply by calling one man, Barak, to trust and follow God.

The Path Towards Impact: So one thing we know about Deborah is she exerted influence by being a woman who knew God's Word. She listened to the voice of God, and she obeyed God's Word. Then she called other people that listen to God's Word. That right there is a path towards impact, know God's Word, obey God's Word, call others to listen to God's Word. 

when we become women of God's Word who know the Word of God, the promises of God, have internalized them, lived them out, believe them, and are sharing them with others, then people will be influenced by that word.

Her Motive was to Lift Others Up

Lifting Others Up: Judges 4:6 is really the first time we see Deborah rise up and exert some influence. It says “She sent and summoned Barak the son of Abinoam from Kedesh-naphtali and said to him, ‘Has not the Lord, the God of Israel, commanded you . . .’” Then she goes on to repeat this command that apparently Barak had heard from the Lord and chosen to ignore or not respond to. I don't know if he was dragging his feet. I don't know if he was in full-on rebellion. We don't know. Scripture doesn't tell us, but she reminds him what the Lord said.

Her Motive was to Help

Embracing Her Role as a Helper: She acted in such a way as to affirm and lift up male leadership. She didn't command Barak or tell him what to do. She simply delivered a message from the Lord. Chapter 4:6, “Has not the LORD, the God of Israel, commanded you?” She nurtured leadership in Barak, without making a point that that's what she was trying to do. "Yes, we women are going to help you men be more manly." None of the attitude. She provided an opportunity for Barak to fulfill his God-created calling as a leader, a protector, and a defender.  

You know who else is called a helper in the Bible? Eve, when God created her he said that she was Adam’s helper. Also, The Holy Spirit. John 15:26, Jesus says, “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.”

John 15:26 ESV

So we see in Deborah a woman of faith and a woman of courage. The legacy of her life is that through her encouragement and influence, the men of her day became men, came forward, stepped up to the plate to accept responsibility, to fight against evil and to defend their wives and children. It is, ladies, not the power of control, but the power of influence that we have as women.  But I see a humble heart here; a woman not looking to get the credit or be the hero of the story. Someone who was willing to be the helper. 

2. Deborah Was Influential Because of Her Humility 

In Hebrews 11 there are fourteen Old Testament men and two Old Testament women who are named. Remember who the women are? Sarah and Rahab. No Deborah in that list. She is not named. But listen to this, Hebrews 11:32,

“What more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, and Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—who through faith conquered kingdoms and enforced justice.”

Hebrews 11:32 NKJV

32 And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets:

How in the world did Barak get on that list and Deborah didn't? Deborah is not named but Barak is listed as a man of great faith. It certainly didn't start out that way. Deborah lived in an era where men were passive and fearful and refused to step up to the plate. Deborah had the faith for starters, but in the end it's Barak's faith that was recognized in Hebrews 11.

You know what? I believe that would have pleased Deborah. I believe that would have made her happy because she was fulfilling her God-created role as a helper. When Barak was recognized in the end as a man of great faith, don't you think she said “Yes, thank You Lord for giving these men courage and faith and raising them up.”  

Ladies, a woman's words can inspire courage and faith in the men around us, in husbands and sons and pastors and others. So let's just put an end to talking about passive men and men who won't step up to the plate. Let's be women of courage ourselves and faith and humility and speak words that build up rather than tearing down.

3. Deborah Was Influential Because of What She Did Not Do

Deborah's story was more about what she didn't do. She didn't browbeat Barak. She didn't say, “You weak man. God told you to do it, and you're not doing it.” She didn't take charge of Barak's army. Barak was a military man. What we see in the story is that there was no real leadership. She probably could have taken charge and headed towards Sisera’s army, but she didn't. She also didn't manipulate him.

She's just simply says, “Has not the Lord God commanded you.” And then repeats the words of the Lord and then lets it sit at God's Word. She continues to do that throughout. In chapter 4 verse 14 while Barak and Deborah and the rest of the army were positioned and waiting to attack, Deborah gets a Word from God, “Then Deborah said to Barak, “Up! For this is the day in which the Lord has delivered Sisera into your hand. Has not the Lord gone out before you?” So Barak went down from Mount Tabor with ten thousand men following him.”

I can just envision it. Barak asleep, then Deborah probably up early doing her devotionals and god speaks to her. And she breaks into Barak’s tent and yells that message to get up and go. 

But In chapter 5, She also celebrates Barak even though you can look at this and make some assumptions that he was really weak. When she's singing after the battle, she's so celebratory of him.

Yeah. She's not like, “Hey, this guy's not doing anything, so I'm just gonna go do it myself.” There's an elegance about her. There's a femininity about her. There's an affirmation of God's gifting and leadership and appointment to men about her that I think we can't look past.

4. Deborah Is Influential Because She Tells The Truth

I think it's also important to see that she told the whole truth of God. She reminded him of what he had heard from God. She also made it clear, in verse 9, “I will gladly go with you, but you will receive no honor on the road you're about to take.” I think that's kind of interesting, because she reminded him of what God said, but she also spoke the truth and what would happen if she was to go with him, because he hadn't listened to God and gone on his own. But then like I said, she celebrates him. 

5. Deborah Is Influential Because She Steps Out Of Her Comfort Zone

So continuing in verse 9: “Then Deborah arose.” I love those words because so often I'm afraid to step into the fray. So often I would rather stay in my convenient, comfortable setting and not get up and really get engaged in the battle. I'm glad Deborah got up when she knew that's what God wanted her to do. Out of her comfort zone.

Now, she had to know this was going to be a dangerous situation. The battle was located far from where Deborah lived. She could have stayed behind on the sidelines, uninvolved, but she had to get involved because God had a call on her life, and she had a heart for God and a heart for His people.

APPLICATION: Unexpected Instruments 

We see in this story that God uses human instruments to fulfill His kingdom purposes, but He doesn't always use the people that you would expect. In this case, God chose and used unconventional means to defeat the enemy and deliver His people.

He used two women as part of the battle plan, Jael and Deborah. Unexpected—not the way that we would have written the script and certainly not the way it would have been written in that era.

Why does God do things like that? So God will get the glory. So they can't glory in human flesh. “Oh, yes, some great military general led us to battle, and we had all these great weapons.” No way. We know as we read this story now, we’re just reminded that God is the Conqueror. God is the one who gets the victory. He chooses and uses weak vessels who are willing to be used.

The Lord really won the battle. Yes, Deborah did her part. Barak did his part. This dry creek bed gets randomly flooded, which, of course, it was at the hand of Lord. The chariots of iron get stuck in the mud. And so, the Lord really is the one that routed the enemy. We'd like to say we're living on mission with Christ. Well, no, we're not. We're living on co-mission. We are partnering with Him and what He is doing. And that's what Deborah did. She was on co-mission with God to set the people free.

God ordained Deborah to be in the position she was in and whatever position you're in is God's chosen that for you. You're there for a reason. Scripture is God-breathed, right? So, if we're reading Deborah's story, He wanted us to read her story. I think partly because He wants us to learn from it how we can influence in our culture today.

Here's the point, wherever you are, you can be an influencer. In public school to classmates, in sports to your teammates, at home to your siblings or non-believing family. Whatever season you’re in, you can plant seeds in people and influence them. 

I think as never before, we as women, need to be challenged from God's Word to be women like Deborah—to be courageous, to believe God, to be grounded in His Word, and to be women who encourage the men around us to be brave and bold men of God. 

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Faith Influencer: Abraham

Introduction:

Abraham, the patriarch of the three major monotheistic religions – Judaism, Christianity, and Islam – is universally recognized as a man of great faith, vision, and leadership.

Known as the "father of many nations," his story, as depicted in the Bible, transcends time, cultures, and religious boundaries.

It is no wonder that his life and lessons continue to inspire and guide us today.

In this short devo, we will explore how Abraham's leadership qualities and experiences can be translated into the context of modern-day influencers.

1. Abraham Was Influential Because He Was a Visionary:

Abraham's journey began with a divine call, commanding him to leave his homeland and family to venture into the unknown (Genesis 12:1-4).

Genesis 12:1–4 NKJV

1 Now the Lord had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you. 2 I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” 4 So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.

This act of obedience, driven by faith in God, is a testament to his visionary leadership.

Like today's modern influencers, Abraham was not afraid to break from convention and embrace a new path.

He possessed the courage to lead his people into uncharted territories, taking risks along the way, and remaining steadfast in his commitment to a higher purpose.

2. Abraham Was Influential Because He Built Community:

Abraham's ability to build a strong community around him was one of his most notable leadership qualities.

As he journeyed through Canaan, Egypt, and back to Canaan again, he encountered various tribes and cultures, forging alliances and establishing a legacy of peace (Genesis 13: 5-18). Turn there...

In this passage, Abraham and his nephew Lot found themselves in a situation where their herds and possessions were too great to coexist in the same land.

To avoid conflict, Abraham allowed Lot to choose the land he wanted for himself, while Abraham went in the opposite direction.

This decision demonstrates Abraham's peaceful and diplomatic approach to resolving potential disputes.

Genesis 13:5–18 NKJV

5 Lot also, who went with Abram, had flocks and herds and tents. 6 Now the land was not able to support them, that they might dwell together, for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together. 7 And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. The Canaanites and the Perizzites then dwelt in the land. 8 So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are brethren. 9 Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left.” 10 And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere (before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt as you go toward Zoar. 11 Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east. And they separated from each other. 12 Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom. 13 But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord. 14 And the Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: “Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are—northward, southward, eastward, and westward; 15 for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever. 16 And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if a man could number the dust of the earth, then your descendants also could be numbered. 17 Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you.” 18 Then Abram moved his tent, and went and dwelt by the terebinth trees of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built an altar there to the Lord.

APPLICATION: In the modern context, an influencer's power lies in their ability to create a community of like-minded individuals who share their values and beliefs.

By fostering a sense of belonging and unity, they can inspire others to join them in their cause.

3. Abraham Was Influential Because He Demonstrated Humility and Empathy:

In the story of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18:16-33), Abraham demonstrates exceptional humility and empathy by pleading with God to spare the cities for the sake of the righteous people within them.

This willingness to advocate for others, even when it would not benefit him directly, reflects the selflessness and compassion that modern-day influencers should embody.

By genuinely caring for the well-being of their followers and extending kindness and support to those in need, influencers can create a lasting and meaningful impact.

4. Abraham Was Influential Because Modeled Resilience and Perseverance:

Abraham's life was marked by numerous trials and tribulations, yet his unwavering faith and commitment to God's plan allowed him to persevere (Genesis 22:1-19).

Genesis 22:1-19 “1 Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 2 Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” 3 So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he split the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. 4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off. 5 And Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.” 6 So Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife, and the two of them went together. 7 But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I …”

His resilience, even in the face of adversity, serves as an inspiring example for modern-day influencers.

By remaining steadfast in their convictions and demonstrating the ability to overcome obstacles, influencers can inspire others to follow their lead and push through difficult times.

Conclusion:

Abraham's life, as portrayed in the Bible, provides a timeless blueprint for inspiring leadership and influence.

By embodying visionary leadership, building a strong community, demonstrating humility and empathy, modeling resilience and perseverance.

Modern-day influencers can emulate his example and leave a lasting impact on their followers and the world.

In a time when division and discord seem all too prevalent, Abraham's legacy serves as a beacon of hope, guiding us towards a brighter and more united future.

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