Blessed is he who plants trees under whose shade he will never sit.
Old Indian Proverb
“Don’t win the world and lose your family,” My mother told my father as he was pastoring our church out on the plains of the Midwest. The pressures of providing for a family and shepherding the flock God entrusted to his care demanded the most from him. So, who would win? What do you do when a church member needs you, yet your girls are counting on you to be home for supper? Although my father may have carried a sting from where he realized he could not be in two places at once, he was where his convictions ran deepest- home.
“In the days of Shamgar, son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were deserted, and the travelers walked along the byways, village life ceased, it ceased in Israel, until I, Deborah arose, arose a mother in Israel.” Judges 5:6-7
Israel had fallen into significant deception and sin. They lived in a dark, wicked time brought on by their own disobedience and silence. Ruled by an evil king named Jabin, the economic system was in shambles, and the political sphere was polarized with flagrant disregard for truth. The Jews were hated and persecuted at every turn. It was unsafe to let your kids channel surf, I mean, go anywhere without supervision, nor could families travel without risk of attack. It was a dangerous time the Jews found themselves in.
I can hear Deborah’s husband, Lapidoth, warning his children of the dangers beyond the front door while he watches over his family. I can see an older brother closely watching younger siblings while they play outside. Perhaps as Deborah hung up the laundry, she kept her weapon nearby. She was always on guard, unwilling for anyone to invade her sacred place of rest.
Deborah means “Bee“- her influence and authority were used by God to sting Israel’s enemies. Her creative talents and leadership abilities distinguished her from other women. Not because she did anything exceptional. She simply took a stand.
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Deborah had a spiritual commitment and a walk with God that would not allow her to violate her stance. She arose as a mother. I wonder if her husband gently reminded her to be careful who wins and who loses as she judges all of Israel. I wonder if her family echoed in her heart because of the commitment she made, even in a wicked environment.
It would take a team effort, a mighty force on the front line to keep the family safe in the environment in which all of Israel found themselves in.
Deborah didn’t rise as a warrior; although she was mighty at wielding a sword, she didn’t rise as a businesswoman, although extremely capable. She didn’t arise as a Judge, yet she judged all of Israel with great wisdom and integrity. She didn’t arise in any capacity we deem noteworthy. Yet, it is the only faculty that rules the world -she arose as a mother.
My mother recently wrote me a card. When I opened the envelope and removed the card, there was a picture of a bee on the front. The end of her note said, “I thought this card so fitting for you because few know that scientifically a bee should not be able to fly- but it does.”
Never doubt your unknown future to a known God.
Corrie Ten Boom
I have read Proverbs Thirty-one more times than I can count. I have it hanging all over my house, yet I have missed the takeaway all these years. In trying to live my life in the shadows of these verses, I realized it was never about her. Verse 16 says, “She considers a field and buys it. From her profits she plants a vineyard.” She would never see the final outcome of her planting; vineyards get better through the generations. The field purchase was never about her but what impact it may have on those who counted on her.
There is a beautiful picture seen in a field of wheat upon harvest. A wheat field looks like a golden ocean of grain that blows in the wind. Yet, you will know it is ready because wheat bows at harvest. May the Lord find me bowing to His plan and not my own.
Even Jesus entrusted His mother to John before he died on the cross. He knew the power of a mother. What field are you considering? Arise as a mother and sting like a bee.
She is clothed with dignity and strength. Proverbs 31:25
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