The woman, the child and the dragon

The Book of Revelation, the final chapter of the Bible, unveils an intricate narration of apocalyptic visions that foretell cataclysmic events marking the end of the world. Its pages are filled with powerful imagery, symbols, and metaphors that offer profound insights into the Christian worldview regarding the signs of the end times. Within this complex narrative, Revelation 12 takes center stage, narrating a compelling story of a woman, her son, and a menacing dragon. While this story may initially appear cryptic and enigmatic, a deeper understanding of the symbols used sheds light on its significance in the Christian faith.

A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. ‭‭(Revelation‬ ‭12:1‬)

Deciphering the Symbols
Revelation 12 opens with a grand spectacle in heaven, a “great sign” that captivates our attention. This celestial scene features:

The Woman: Clothed with the sun, the moon under her feet, and a crown of twelve stars, she symbolizes the nation of Israel. This image harkens back to the dream of Joseph in Genesis 37, where the sun, moon, and stars represented his family members, signifying the nation of Israel. Additional support for this interpretation can be found in verses such as Isaiah 54:1-6 and Hosea 2:19-20.

The Dragon: A menacing figure with seven heads, ten horns, and seven crowns, symbolizing Satan, the ancient adversary of God and His people.

The Son: The male child born to the woman is unmistakably Jesus. Revelation 12:5 describes Him as the one who “will rule all the nations with an iron scepter.” This portrayal finds its roots in Psalm 2:9, a Messianic Psalm emphasizing Christ’s divine authority and reign.

The Angel Michael: Michael, the head of the angelic host, plays a pivotal role in the battle against the dragon and his angels in heaven.

The Offspring of the Woman: Representing the Gentiles who turn to the Lord, these are the believers from the nations. Revelation 12:17 refers to them as “those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus.”

A Cosmic Struggle
The narrative of Revelation 12 unfolds as a cosmic struggle, with the woman giving birth to a son, only for the dragon to threaten the child. This imagery symbolizes the spiritual battle Jesus faced, beginning with His birth and extending throughout His life. It is a portrayal of the ongoing enmity between the forces of good and evil, represented by Christ and Satan.

The child’s ascension to God and His throne signifies Jesus’s triumphant resurrection and return to His rightful place in heaven. However, this victory does not mark the end of the spiritual battle. Revelation 12:13 tells us that “the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring,” signifying the continued hostility of the devil toward believers.

A Struggle That Persists
The woman, her son, and the rest of her offspring (the Church universal) have historically been the targets of the dragon’s attacks. The battle endures as believers face persecution and opposition in different regions worldwide. In some places, believing in Jesus is even considered a criminal act. The dragon’s pursuit of the woman underscores the ongoing spiritual conflict experienced by followers of Christ.

The Certainty of Victory
Although the battle rages on, believers can find assurance in the ultimate outcome. Victory belongs to the Lord. Understanding the dynamics of this spiritual warfare calls for believers to put on the full armour of God, as described in Ephesians 6. Armed with this knowledge, they can face adversity with unwavering hope, for the victor mentality prevails. In the midst of opposition, the words of the Lord offer encouragement and a reminder that ultimate triumph rests with Him.

Revelation 12, with its rich symbolism and spiritual depth, beckons believers to grasp the profound significance of the ongoing spiritual battle and the ultimate victory found in Christ. It invites them to walk with confidence, knowing that, in the end, the dragon’s fury cannot overcome the promise of God’s triumph.

Bethsheba: Uriah’s wife but pregnant for the king

Imagine watching a movie with a plot twist and knowing that the actions of the protagonist would ultimately lead to trouble. Even if you shake your TV, the storyline wouldn’t change. I have a similar experience whenever I read the story of David and Bethsheba. There are times I wished David went to war instead of staying home. There are times I wished I could just cover David’s eye with my palm so he couldn’t see Bethsheba taking her bath. Yet, there are other times I wish I could whisper to David ears not to inquire about Bethsheba. Finally, there are days I wish I could hide Bethsheba so that David’s servants wouldn’t find her. From the trajectory of my wishes, you could trace the progression of David’s desire and the sin it led him to commit. In case you believe God didn’t give David any warning prior to that, you are mistaken. David knew very well that what he was doing was wrong. The consciousness of his actions and his insistence shows that David refused to hear the still small voice from God. Similarly, whenever we are about to make a wrong move, whether a believer or unbeliever, there is this inner voice that prompts us of our actions but most times, the very determined fail to listen to God’s voice of caution. 

Bethsheba was minding her business in her house. She took a bath which was a good general body hygiene routine. She had just had her period and went to do the monthly purification afterwards (2 Samuel11:4b). David’s insatiable desire did not cease when he was told that Bethsheba was the wife of Uriah. Instead of going to his own wives and concubines to satisfy his desire, David went ahead to do the unthinkable. King David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her. Then she went back home. (2 Samuel 11:4a and c). What was David thinking? He had all the women but Uriah,  the loyal soldier, had just one. Sometimes, I wish I would know Bethsheba’s reaction to this situation. Did she refuse? Did she resist the king’s request? Was she forced? Did she give in to David because of fear? Was she promised gifts? Was she excited about being attracted to the king? We might not have answers to all these questions but one thing stands out: David was the giant slayer, the king of Israel and the one who welded all the power, while Bethsheba was a helpless woman, alone in her house, without the presence of her husband. Whatever conspired between David and Bethsheba, before David had intimacy with her, only God knows and God wasn’t pleased at all. 

The woman conceived and sent word to David, saying, “I am pregnant.” (2 Samuel 11:5)

The deal was done. David was satisfied and Bethsheba went back to her home. However, whatever sin is committed in secret would surely come to light. Sometimes it takes time but it will definitely be revealed. Bethsheba went back to her normal routine but what she didn’t know was that the one night spent in the bosom of the king wouldn’t be forgotten just like that. Before long, Bethsheba started seeing changes in her body and her monthly period failed to show up. The woman was in trouble. Her husband was still fighting the battles of Israel and since her last purification, only king David had slept with her. The secret is revealed. David’s desire had translated to a baby. The married woman was pregnant with another man’s child. What! Bethsheba sent word to David, saying, “I am pregnant” (2 Samuel 11:5). I am sure I am not the only one who asks questions like, “why will God allow such sinful acts to be recorded in His Holy book?” Well, a charge for us to avoid such dangerous paths. If David, the man after God’s own heart could condescend to such a sinful situation, we are not immune to sin.

Bethsheba might have been worried sick with fear and shame. She did not plan this. What would become of her. According to the law, sleeping with another man other than her husband is liable to punishment. She slept with the king and though she could be exempted from this punishment, what will happen to her marriage? She cannot force the child of the king on her innocent husband.

Not many of us want to be in such a situation. The psychological and physical stress alone could make you lose your sanity. Maybe, Bethsheba had no control over what happened between her and David. The lesson for us to learn is that, if you are in a position of power, don’t hurt the people with your actions. If we can avoid compromising situations,  we should stay far away from things that could pull the sin trigger. 

The Bible is clear that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). As much as it depends on you, don’t move to where you will be compromised. Avoid ungodly conversations. Don’t watch things that can trigger certain desires. Bethsheba was just bathing but David saw a woman he could have intimacy with. Avoid people who take you for granted.

Bethsheba and the king who remained at home instead of going out to war

Today’s post will begin a series of discussions on Bethsheba, a woman whose story cannot be hidden. Bethsheba lived in Jerusalem with her husband Uriah. The husband served as a soldier in king David’s army. So as at the time the Bible introduces Bethsheba, Uriah was fighting for the nation of Israel. We are not told how long Bethsheba and Uriah were married. Bethsheba and Uriah might have lived a simple life in their home. The person who caused the big changes in this story was David, king of Israel. Bethsheba was the only wife of Uriah. David on the other hand had a number of wives and concubines. As the king, he was entitled to marry as many women as he could as long as those women are not married to other men. On the geographical front, the topology of the buildings during those times were such that the king lived in a massive palace and the people lived in smaller houses. Thus, the king can see the other houses and sometimes inside the houses when he stands on his roof. You remember when the Abimelek, king of Gerar saw Isaac romancing Rebekah through his window? 

One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful (2 Samuel 11:2)

When the story of Bethsheba begins in 2 Samuel, we are immediately introduced to the fact that David was supposed to be on the battlefield but he delegated Joab and he stayed back home: “In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem” (2 Samuel 11:1). David did not just stay home, he went on his roof to look at his beautiful city and saw what he wouldn’t have seen if he was on the battlefield: “One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful” (2 Samuel 11:2). One beautiful woman bathing was probably no big deal because David had access to many beautiful women and if what his eyes saw tempted him, he could have easily satisfied his cravings without even contacting this particular woman. 

David was not satisfied with just seeing, he went the extra mile to know the identity of this woman. The very determined David,  sent someone to find out about her. The man said, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite” (2 Samuel 11:3). This description of the woman was enough information to alert the king with a burning desire that this woman is taken by another and as such, not a perfect match for the king. David wanted just more than he saw. He burnt with desires and emotions and the king who could slay giants was slayed by the beauty of this woman. The wife of Uriah did not even know that she had caused a king to be restless. David was idling at home. He stayed back instead of going to war. In his idling state, the devil found him a job. The job was the strange urge to have what does not belong to him. On the other hand, the woman David craved for, was the wife of a man who had sacrificed his life to fight for David. Uriah left his beautiful wife to go and fight but here is the king who cannot concentrate because he saw the nakedness of the wife of his loyal servant. What an irony of life.

Bethsheba at this time had no idea that her general body routine of bathing had caused the king to desire her. We might be quick to ask where Bethsheba was standing to bathe. I lived in a rural community and I know for a fact that if your neighbours are rich and have built mansions and you cannot afford to build a good bathroom, then you would likely be visible to those on the higher floors when you enter your “open-top” bathroom. Bethsheba had finished bathing and gone to her house but David is still struggling from the sight he saw. 

In Psalm 1: 1, David wrote that, “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers.” He had first hand experience of the progress of sin. In the Bethsheba experience, David moved from his bedroom to the roof, he walked about the roof and he saw the woman who was bathing. David did not just see but stopped to even make enquiries about this woman. We will continue on the next post to see what other steps David made. 

Michal: The princess of Israel and giant slayer

The women in the Bible series reveal to us many different women in the Bible. We get to know what they did right and what they did wrong. We learn from their strengths and avoid their mistakes as much as we can. This week, we shall focus on Michal, the daughter of king Saul. Michal’s story is quite similar to the story of most 21st Century women. She was a lady who knew what she wanted and she pressed for it. She was a princess who loved a warrior. Maybe this might draw your attention to the stories you read as a child. The popular theme in the stories about a princess falling in love is usually clouded in a series of discord, hatred, battles to fight and opposition from the people around them. Suddenly, there is a turnaround and they live happily ever after. However,  if you are married, you know that the ever after is full of different stages. Yes, you would be happy but there are times that you also deal with life’s challenges. 

Michal, like any young woman, was attracted to the champion of the day, David. In a very dramatic way, David had defeated a giant and led the army of Israel to a resounding victory (1 Samuel 17). This feat attracted David lovers and haters. The people loved David but the king, the father of Michal, hated David. What was David’s crime? “When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?” And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David. (1 Samuel 18:6‭-‬9). Saul’s initial attempt was to have David marry his first daughter Merab because that was part of the package for the person who could defeat Goliath (1 Samuel 17:25). David refused to marry the king’s daughter because he knew the implications of being an in-law to the king.

Now Saul’s daughter Michal was in love with David, and when they told Saul about it, he was pleased. (1 Samuel 18:20)

Therefore, Merab was given to another. Saul’s attempt to get David marry his daughter was for Saul’s evil schemes. Michal loved David. She was in love with the champion of the day. In 1 Samuel 18:20, the scripture records this: “Now Saul’s daughter Michal was in love with David, and when they told Saul about it, he was pleased.” Michal’s love for David was Saul’s own way to trap David. However, Saul was wrong because Michal was ready to do everything to save her husband. “When Saul realized that the Lord was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days” (1 Samuel 18:28‭-‬29). When we read the account of David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17), you tend to wonder why Saul would hate on David. But, it all started when the women composed songs that credited David with tens of thousands and Saul with just a thousand. David’s victory attracted the attention of the women in the city. Michal, like the other women, fell in love with the champion. While David remained on the field as a shepherd, he was obscured to these women.

The “falling in love” stage of life is very common and during that stage, lovers are willing to do anything for the other. As a princess, Michal would have become a potential wife to great and mighty people. But, she chose David, the man who could kill giants. Michal’s love for David, transcended her father’s hatred for David. Women naturally are attracted to men who command power and authority. Unfortunately, how we deal with the “falling in love” stage influences our marriage. You could love with your senses and make constructive decisions or love with your eyes and ears and make terrible mistakes. 

As we are in the season of love, you might want to check your love barometer. Are you in love for fame, for fortune, for gains, for companionship, for marriage or for other reasons? Valentine’s Day reminds us of selfless love for humanity. It is not a button for sexual immorality among the youth. If the princess falls in love with the giant slayer, the right thing needs to be done. Michal didn’t run into the arms of David. She was given to David after David had fulfilled his obligations. Don’t use Valentine’s Day as an excuse for fornication. Sex is not a gift. Nine months later, you will reap what you sow! 

The wife of Phinehas: The glory has departed from Israel (Ichabod)

The sons of Eli (Hophni are Phinehas) were scoundrels and they had no regard for the Lord. As children of the High priest of Israel, one would expect them to have good attitudes towards God and humanity. However, these two sons just treated everyone and everything with contempt. Even the Lord’s sacrifices were not spared. 1 Samuel 2: 12-16 details their contemptuous practices. To add to their wickedness against the Lord’s sacrifices, these two men were also sleeping with the women who served at the entrance of the tent of meeting. They were just consumed by sin and pride and would not even listen to their father’s advice. The gravity of their sins and the shame their presence gave to the priesthood was quite unbearable. A man of God came to Eli and confronted him of his sons’ evil attitudes. This was God’s judgement: “Therefore the Lord, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I promised that members of your family would minister before me forever.’ But now the Lord declares: ‘Far be it from me! Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained.” (1 Samuel 2:30).

Considering this background,  the wives of Eli’s sons would have been married to scoundrels who had no respect for God and humanity. It would have been difficult to bear the titles of such men as their actions were just despicable to God and men. In the course of time, Israel went to war against the Philistines and in a bid to gain the favour of God, the Israelites took the ark of God to the battlefield. The ark of God represented God’s glory and His presence, and even the enemies were afraid when they heard that the ark had been brought to the battlefield. However,  God wasn’t pleased with His people and He left them in the hands of the enemy. The Israelites were routed and defeated mercilessly. Unfortunately, the ark of God was captured by the Philistines. Although the Philistines later returned the ark on their own account based on the brutalization they received as a result of them taking the ark, the Israelites could not believe what happened to them. It wasn’t just about their losses. It was more about the presence and glory of God that was taken away from them. 

His daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was pregnant and near the time of delivery. When she heard the news that the ark of God had been captured and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she went into labour and gave birth, but was overcome by her labour pains. (1 Samuel 4:19)

Hophni and Phinehas were killed on the battlefield and the messenger who escaped to tell the news of the defeat of Israel didn’t miss details. Eli the priest was ninety-eight years and his vision was failing. He heard the outcry and upon enquiries, got to know that his sons had been killed and the ark of God had been taken away. “When he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell backward off his chair by the side of the gate. His neck was broken and he died, for he was an old man, and he was heavy. He had led Israel forty years.” (1 Samuel 4:18). God’s words in 1 Samuel 2: 27-36 were fulfilled. The wife of Phinehas,  the focus of today’s post, was heavily pregnant. Her husband had accompanied the army to fight against the Philistines. She had hoped to see her husband return to hold their new baby but things didn’t turn out that way. The heavily pregnant wife of Phinehas, was near the time of delivery. “When she heard the news that the ark of God had been captured and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she went into labour and gave birth, but was overcome by her labour pains. As she was dying, the women attending her said, “Don’t despair; you have given birth to a son.” But she did not respond or pay any attention. She named the boy Ichabod, saying, “The Glory has departed from Israel”—because of the capture of the ark of God and the deaths of her father-in-law and her husband. She said, “The Glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.” (1 Samuel 4:19‭-‬22). 

The ark of God might not mean so much to the New Testament believer. However, during those times, the presence of the ark of God signified the glory and the presence of God. Phinehas’ wife knew the consequences of the glory of God departing from Israel. They were on their own. They had no divine direction, protection and guidance. As a baby, Ichabod might not be aware of the weight of his name. Unfortunately for Ichabod his father and grandfather all died and no one changed his name like Benjamin. So, Benjamin, was named Ben-Oni (son of my trouble) by Rachel but Jacob changed it to Benjamin (son of my right hand).

Sometimes, situations may feel like seasons of Ichabod. When nothing seems to work, we could go on and give names of despair to our situations or move in faith and shout to our Ebenezer for help (Ebenezer means stone of help). The Lord is indeed our Helper. 

Jephthah’s daughter: A sacrifice or a foolish vow?

One person in the Bible who made a vow that later got him into trouble is Jephthah. Who is Jephthah? He was a Gileadite,  a mighty warrior and His father was Gilead; his mother was a prostitute (Judges 11:1). Jephthah’s father had other sons and these “legitimate” sons drove Jephthah away. They told him this: “You are not going to get any inheritance in our family,” they said, “because you are the son of another woman.” (Judges 11:2). Jephthah might have had a difficult time and although he managed to get a band of scoundrels following him, Jephthah was still an outcast. Jephthah had just one child, a daughter. “Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord. They served the Baals and the Ashtoreths, and the gods of Aram, the gods of Sidon, the gods of Moab, the gods of the Ammonites and the gods of the Philistines. And because the Israelites forsook the Lord and no longer served him, he became angry with them. He sold them into the hands of the Philistines and the Ammonites, who that year shattered and crushed them. For eighteen years they oppressed all the Israelites on the east side of the Jordan in Gilead, the land of the Amorites.” (Judges 10:6-‬8).

whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites will be the Lord’s, and I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering.” When Jephthah returned to his home in Mizpah, who should come out to meet him but his daughter, dancing to the sound of timbrels! She was an only child. Except for her he had neither son nor daughter. (Judges 11:31, 34)

Jephthah was called upon by the leaders of Israel to lead them to war. Jephthah reminded the elders of how he was treated by his brothers. “The elders of Gilead said to him, “Nevertheless, we are turning to you now; come with us to fight the Ammonites, and you will be head over all of us who live in Gilead” (Judges 11:8). Before Jephthah went to fight the Ammonites, he made this vow: “whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites will be the Lord’s, and I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering” (Judges 11:31). Obviously, God didn’t ask him to make any vow in order to secure victory. Jephthah was not expecting a non-human to come out and welcome him. He knew that such a vow would obviously demand a human sacrifice. Did Jephthah miss Torah classes? Did he forget God’s warning against human sacrifices? In Leviticus 20:1-5; “The Lord said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites: ‘Any Israelite or any foreigner residing in Israel who sacrifices any of his children to Molek is to be put to death. The members of the community are to stone him. I myself will set my face against him and will cut him off from his people; for by sacrificing his children to Molek, he has defiled my sanctuary and profaned my holy name. If the members of the community close their eyes when that man sacrifices one of his children to Molek and if they fail to put him to death, I myself will set my face against him and his family and will cut them off from their people together with all who follow him in prostituting themselves to Molek.” Jephthah’s argument would be that the sacrifice was to be made to God, but the story of Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 22) shows that God does not delight in human sacrifices. 

The victim of Jephthah’s vow was his only child. Beside her, Jephthah had no other children. She would have been loved, cherished, adored and well protected. She might have had plans for her future. She was still a virgin and obviously loved the Lord. Miss Jephthah was obviously rooting for her father to defeat the Ammonites. She might have prayed, fasted and wished to welcome her father back with joy. Jephthah’s daughter might have been full of joy when she heard of how her father led the armies of Israel to defeat the Ammonites. Her prayers were answered and she was of so much joy and couldn’t wait to welcome her father. She had no clue that her father had made a careless vow, and although God had not bound him to the vow, he was determined to fulfill his vow. “When Jephthah returned to his home in Mizpah, who should come out to meet him but his daughter, dancing to the sound of timbrels! She was an only child. Except for her he had neither son nor daughter.” (Judges 11:34). Jephthah was shattered, “when he saw her, he tore his clothes and cried, “Oh no, my daughter! You have brought me down and I am devastated. I have made a vow to the Lord that I cannot break.” (Judges 11:35). “My father,” she replied, “you have given your word to the Lord. Do to me just as you promised, now that the Lord has avenged you of your enemies, the Ammonites. But grant me this one request,” she said. “Give me two months to roam the hills and weep with my friends, because I will never marry.” (Judges 11:36-37). Her request was granted and “after the two months, she returned to her father, and he did to her as he had vowed. And she was a virgin” (Judges 11:39).

Jephthah’s daughter was a victim of an unnecessary sacrifice. God had warned the people against human sacrifices and Jephthah’s act shows his lack of knowledge or his rebellion. Most importantly, before you make any vow, consider the consequences of the vow. How will your vow affect you and the people around you? Don’t promise what you cannot give. Don’t say more than you are allowed too. Be careful with your words and don’t let any careless vow lead you or the people around you into trouble. 

Jael: The silent warrior

At every battle, there are people trained for specific purposes. When the battle becomes tough, there are those who have the capacity to stand their ground and ensure that the soldiers with tired arms and limbs get some rest. Even in the midst of technological advancement and weapons of mass destruction, the army still has ranks. The battle between Israel (the army with least experience and less armory) and Jabin, king of Hazor was fought with Barak as the army commander of Israel and Sisera as the army commander of the Canaanites. Barak went to the battle because Deborah, the judge, agreed to go with him. “Certainly I will go with you,” said Deborah. “But because of the course you are taking, the honor will not be yours, for the Lord will deliver Sisera into the hands of a woman.” So Deborah went with Barak to Kedesh.” (Judges 4:9). Barak knew that the glory of the battle would not go to him. The Canaanites lost the battle and “Barak pursued the chariots and army of Sisera as far as Harosheth Haggoyim, and all Sisera’s troops fell by the sword; not a man was left. Sisera, meanwhile, fled on foot to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, because there was an alliance between Jabin king of Hazor and the family of Heber the Kenite.” (Judges 4:16-17). 

Jael went out to meet Sisera and said to him, “Come, my Lord, come right in. Don’t be afraid.” So he entered her tent, and she covered him with a blanket. But Jael, Heber’s wife, picked up a tent peg and a hammer and went quietly to him while he lay fast asleep, exhausted. She drove the peg through his temple into the ground, and he died. (Judges 4:18‭, ‬21)

So who is this woman who took the honor of defeating the “villain”? Jael, the wife of Heber, played a subtle role in defeating the Canaanites. She was cunning, persuasive and yet accommodating. When Sisera fled to her tent, “Jael went out to meet Sisera and said to him, “Come, my Lord, come right in. Don’t be afraid.” So he entered her tent, and she covered him with a blanket.” (Judges 4:18). Sisera did not sense foul play. Jael welcomed him well. Sisera then had the audacity to request for water. He said, “I’m thirsty. Please give me some water.” The well positioned Jael offered him milk instead of water. “She opened a skin of milk, gave him a drink, and covered him up” (Judges 4:‬19). Jael knew that for the tired Sisera, milk will help to relax him for sleep. Unknown to Sisera, Jael was the real warrior he was to avoid. He was overwhelmed by her hospitality, little did she know that Jael is a silent warrior and she would be the real heroine for the battle. Sisera told Jael to “Stand in the doorway of the tent,” and “If someone comes by and asks you, ‘Is anyone in there?’ say ‘No.’ ” (Judges 4:20). The very tired Sisera slept soundly after taking the milk. Then Jael went into action. She “picked up a tent peg and a hammer and went quietly to him while he lay fast asleep, exhausted. She drove the peg through his temple into the ground, and he died.” (Judges 4:21).

That must have been quite gross. Ordinary women don’t have such boldness. Jael was a silent warrior. She was not on the main battlefield but she added the icing to the cake. A defeated Canaanite army with a living army commander would have been a potential threat to the Israelites. Sisera escaped the gallant warriors on the battlefield and fondly entered the home of a subtle and cunning woman. He thought he was free from death. He drank milk and woke up in hades. A brave woman took the honor that was due to Barak. She fulfilled the words of Deborah, “the Lord will deliver Sisera into the hands of a woman.” Barak saw the flight of Sisera and he came by in pursuit of Sisera, and Jael went out to meet him. “Come,” she said, “I will show you the man you’re looking for.” So he went in with her, and there lay Sisera with the tent peg through his temple—dead.” (Judges 4:22). Jael was obviously harmless in appearance, loving in deeds, compassionate but a warrior at heart. She understood the havoc the Canaanites inflicted on the Israelites, and when she had the opportunity to make things right, she utilized her feminine skills to make Sisera feel at home and then used her warrior skills to pin down the villain. 

The Christian journey is a battlefield. There are many evil arrows shot daily by the enemy. We need to be warriors at heart to avoid these arrows and defeat the enemy. Like Jael, we don’t need to physically look like warriors. What we need is the warrior mentality. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6:11-13 to “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” Jael’s armor was her subtlety. We have the armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-18) to intercept the evil darts of the enemy. Let’s be intentional about our tactics in this battle. No matter how the enemy comes, we should be ready in our spiritual armory to stand our ground. Civilians don’t fight. We are the armed forces of Christ. Be at post always!

Deborah: A prophet, a wife and a judge

Juggling between work and family has become the norm for the 21st century woman. Each of these responsibilities demands commitment and dedication. Imagine going to work for 8 hours or more in a day and having to take care of the family (husband and kids) afterwards. This may sound tiring but the average ‘working class married woman’ is committed to both home and office. This isn’t new, even in the olden times, some women relentlessly juggled between home and work and were still considered good at both places. A typical example of such women is Deborah. When the Israelites arrived in the promised land, before they had kings, they were ruled by Judges. The judges were like prime ministers. They ensured that the people lived right and in safety. Naturally, you would expect such a daunting responsibility to be given to strong and mighty men considering the fact that battles were constantly fought during those times. The nation of Israel itself was quite rebellious and they were stiff-necked people. Like the 21st century world, each one wanted to do what pleases them with little disregard for God. Their disobedience landed them in different battles and the Lord raised the judges to help them win their battles and to maintain law and order. 

Now Deborah, a prophet, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time. (Judges 4:4)

With such a job description, you might consider the strong and mighty warriors to be qualified to judge the nation. Of course, Israel had strong and mighty (physical strength) judges who helped them to defeat their enemies. One unlikely judge was Deborah. “Now Deborah, a prophet, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time” (Judges 4:4). Deborah’s job description begins with a prophetic ministry, her role as a wife and her office as a judge. As a judge, “she held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites went up to her to have their disputes decided” (Judges 4:5). How was she able to hold her home together in addition to her prophetic and executive responsibilities? Deborah would have been a confident woman who knew what to do at every time. She wouldn’t spend unnecessary time doing unnecessary things. She would have been committed to building her home, her ministry and work. Obviously, Lappidoth her husband might have been instrumental in all this. Deborah was a God-fearing woman, a go-getter, a purpose driven leader, a mother and a lover of her husband. She embodied all these together and still excelled in all.

When Jabin, king of Hazor and Sisera, his army commander, oppressed the Israelites (for the Israelites turned away from God), Deborah had to lead the people to battle. “She sent for Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, “The Lord, the God of Israel, commands you: ‘Go, take with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead them up to Mount Tabor” (Judges 4:6). Although God had promised them victory,  Barak’s reply was, “If you go with me, I will go; but if you don’t go with me, I won’t go.” (Judges 4:8). Deborah did not shudder, she accepted the challenge and led Israel to battle. God granted them astounding victory over their enemies. Deborah, the prophet and the wife of Lappidoth had a music ministry as well, that is she was a worshiper. After their victory, she sang the song of Deborah (Judges 5). One woman, different responsibilities, and yet able to play all these roles to the fullest. Deborah was not your everyday woman. She was made for more. She defied the status quo,  and did what was ascribed to mighty men. She did not allow societal perception to affect her. She was a woman who knew her call and she worked hard to ensure that she fulfilled her call. 

Deborah, just the Proverbs 31 woman reminds us that you can have it all and do it all. Her rise to the top did not make her rise above her husband. The challenge of our generation is that when some women take on responsibilities that make them higher and more publicly seen and respected than their husbands, they expect their husbands to pay “homage” to them. With all the social accolades, Deborah still remained the wife of Lappidoth. She submitted to him and he was the head. 
Dear married man, don’t be jealous when your wife rises higher than you. Help her to shine in her career or ministry. Be a shoulder to lean on and be praying for her. 
Dear woman, no matter how high you rise, you cannot rise above the standard of God. You can be a wife, a warrior, a professional, and any other position. You were made for more. Don’t allow your career to ruin your home. Have a Deborah mindset. 

The LORD is my shepherd

A shepherd tends to and also rear sheep. In nomadic cultures, shepherds take the sheep out for pasture and while on the field, the shepherd ensures the safety of the flock. As long as a sheep stays with the flock, the sheep is safe. In fact Jesus tells us that the Good shepherd is so careful that if one sheep out of a hundred sheep gets missing, the Good Shepherd goes out to search for that sheep (Matthew 18:12-14). David experienced the shepherding love and care of God. He saw God deliver him and provide for him even in the presence of his enemies. David wrote that “the LORD is my shepherd”. Jesus confirms this in John 10:11,14; “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.”

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
(Psalm 23:1 KJV)

David’s life was full of experiences. For example, through the power of God, he killed a giant only when he was a teen. This heroic act brought him friends and foes. David became a wanderer but God never ceased to take care of him and provide for him. David had not expected that killing Goliath, the enemy of his people, would cause him to be envied by the king who desperately needed Goliath killed. However, God shepherded David and gave him victory. Jesus reminds us that “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). The thief is the devil and his agenda is to ensure that believers do not enjoy the shepherding love of good. He lures the sheep out of the sheepfold to go astray (Psalm. 119:176).

Jesus proclaimed, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me
(John 10:14). Jesus has compassion on the crowds he ministered to because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36). The metaphor of the church as the sheepfold of God shows us how we are cared for and loved by God. In the past,“you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls (1 Peter 2:25). We do not take lightly the shepherding work of God in our lives. As we follow the leading and guidance of our Shepherd, we are comforted, we are nourished, we are refreshed, we are protected, we are honoured even in the presence of our enemies, we are anointed, we are led through the path of righteousness, and the valley of death doesn’t scare us.

“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalms 23:6).

Pray in the Spirit on all occasions

Any soldier going to battle prays for victory, for protection and for success. Paul after listing six armours of which five are defensive weapons and one is offensive, finally mentioned the need for prayer. Surprisingly, most messages about the armour of God ends at the sixth weapon. Prayer is hardly mentioned. Prayer is for both offensive and defensive. Remember, our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12). We are fighting a spiritual battle and we need a spiritual readiness. All the armours we have looked at so far are Spiritual armour for the believer.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people (Ephesians 6:18).

Prayer is a master key for believers. If we fight with what we do not see physically, then we need a spiritual backing. Paul admonished the church to pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. Praying on all occasions means we should pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 6:17). We should pray in the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening, at dawn, at dusk and for everything. We should never be tired of praying. The unseen enemy (the devil) is never tired of attacking you. Even if all is working well with you, do not forget to pray. With this in mind, we are admonished to be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray for your family, pray for your local church and pray for the universal church. Pray all kinds of prayers: thanksgiving, supplication, intercession, etc.

Praying in the Spirit means that this prayer is with the help of the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised His disciples that He will send to them the Advocate. The Holy Spirit is our advocate. We should have a daily relationship with Him and we should fellowship with Him. The devil understands and knows when we are praying in the Spirit. The devil’s tactics are destroyed by our knowledge of the word (sword) and by our prayers. He is not worried about anything else. He will keep pressing on you until you lose your guard and take off your armour. He waits for an opportune time to strike. Never take off your armour and never give the devil a footstool, he might end up taking a whole territory.

Finally, remember that even our Lord Jesus began His ministry with prayer and He ended it with prayer. Who are we to ignore such a great weapon? Keep on praying until we get to heaven!