The Worst Of Times

Text: Judges 4-5

Read Judges 5:-13

Place Preached - (Mississauga International Baptist Church)

Date Preached - (12/16/01)

Introduction:   

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.” – Charles Dickens A Tale Of Two Cities

Dickens was describing the disparity between London and Paris in his day.  He might well have been describing the land of Canaan in 1200’s B.C.

(**Best of times for the Canaanites / Worst of times for Israel)

There are some very interesting and prominent characters in the book of Judges.  Men of renown.  There were 12 judges in all 13 including Samuel the last of the Judges.

One cannot help but admire the bravery of Gideon or the sheer strength of Samson.

But there is another that stands out on this list of God’s champions of faith.  It is the woman Deborah.  She is described as a prophetess and a judge (4:4) and as a mother in Israel (5:7)

Chapter five is the song of Deborah and Barak.  It is a song of praise to God and a rehearsal of the events recorded in chapter four.

Briefly tell the story of chapter four.

I. The Setting for Oppression vs.6-9

A. A time of Lawlessness vs.6

“the highways were unoccupied”

People were fearful to go out in the streets – A spirit of anarchy prevailed – Truly “Every man did that which was right in his own eyes”.

B. A time Lacking in Leadership vs.7

The times were crying out for Godly leadership.  But none stepped forward.

Ezekiel 22:30  And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.

Finally, Deborah arose under God’s direction.  She was thrust onto a stage lacking in male leadership.

C. A time of Lust vs.8

Let’s go back to chapter 3:30 “the land had rest fourscore years”

(EXPLAIN: What happened over those eighty years?  Originally the Canaanites not exterminated.  Eventually they began to regain strength, to rise up, to refortify and rearm themselves into a mighty military nation).

Again the ancient strongholds of Canaan had arisen!!

“New Gods”

These were the gods of the times, gods of convenience and pleasure; gods of materialism and ease, gods of their own making and their own way.

“Then was war in the gates”

They were unprepared, unready for the enemy, yet he lurked at the very gates of their cities in what seemed to be a time of peace and prosperity.

D. A time of Loneliness for the Righteous vs.9

Deborah’s heart was with those, her sympathies went out to them who desired to serve God and the nation when everyone desired their own way, when the times of oppression were upon them.

II. Seizing God’s Opportunity vs.10-18

There is a day of opportunity!!  Who will seize the day?  Who will rise to the Opportunity?

A. A Woman in Leadership vs.12-13

It is an evidence of decline whne women come into positions of power and authority.  A sign of a weak and effeminate society.

“There are many things that are considered a menace in our country-inflation, crime, foreign aggression-but I feel that the greatest danger is that women are leaving their place in the home.” – J. Vernon McGee

ILLUS: Years ago Dr. Harry Ironside told of a woman who was preaching in a park as he and one of his friends were walking by. His friend said, "It is a shame for a woman to get up and preach like that. I deplore it. She should not be doing that." Dr. Ironside replied, "I agree with you that it is a shame, not that a woman is preaching, but that there is not a man to take her place."

B. Barak’s Reluctant Leadership vs.12

LOOK BACK at Judges 4:6-9

The weaker vessel was stronger in faith.

Yet Barak is numbered among the heroes of the faith (Heb. 11:32)

C. God’s People rising to the Challenge vs. 14-15

1. A ROOT out of Ephraim.

There was an intense hatred that went back many years / generations.

2. Out of Benjamin came the Governors (Leaders)

3. Zebulon – The copyists and writers.

Not who you’d expect.  But they were people who saw the need, they said “Something must be done, someone has to stand in the gap.”  They weren’t overly concerned whether or not it was their role, what others thought etc etc.

D. God’s People Failing

1. Through Indecision (Reuben vs.15-16)

They were going to debate the thing to death!!

2. Through wrong priorities. Vs 17

            Gilead (personal safety)

            Dan and Asher (personal concerns, commerce etc.)

            It was the “It’s my life” attitude.

Don’t let your opportunity for advancing the cause of Christ forever pass you by!

E. God’s People Sacrificially Obedient vs.18

Zebulon and Naphtali fought even at the risk of their own lives.

III. The Strength to Overcome vs.19-31

SEE vs.1-5 also.

A. Strength from above vs.20

EXPLAIN outcome of the battle.

The Canaanites had mastery of the valleys and plains.

God’s plan was to gather 10,000 men in Mt. Tabor rising steeply 1500 feet above sea level and high above Sisera’s troops.

In the night God sent an unseasonable downpour of Rain and the Kishon river swelled.  Sending a flash-flood that crippled the armies of Canaan, and all their state-of-the-art technology.

What a lesson!!

They flee in confusion, many committed suicide falling on their own sword in despair.

It was not man’s war it was the Lord’s!!

2 Chronicles 20:15  And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.

The predominant theme of this song is the Lord’s deliverance and His praise. (SEE vs.1-5)

B. Strength through weakness vs.24-27

Delivered by a woman.

In fulfillment of Deborah’s prophecy (4:9)

LOOK UP & READ I Cor. 1:25-29

Conclusion:     (Review)

MAIN POINTS:

1. The Setting for Oppression

2. Seizing the Opportunity

3. Strength to Overcome