The Queen of Sheba Travels to Meet King Solomon

     Today we see the Bibledoorajar for the Queen of Sheba. The first thing noticed is that her given name is not mentioned. Scholars are not even sure where Sheba was. They think the lady ruled somewhere in Southern Arabia, possibly modern day Ethiopia. To say so little about a person of rank tells us that the emphasis of our story is not going to be on her as much as on the king she meets. And, so it is with the us; it's all about the King we meet. One day, when we have completed the journey and are seeing firsthand all that we have learned about Him, He will give us a new name--one that will have great significance and will be worthy of mention. So, I'm traveling on. How about you?
     Like some believers, the Queen's effort to meet and talk with the king was so incredible that she became famous. The first thing that stands out about her was that she wanted to visit the king herself. It was not enough to just hear about him. She had to meet him and test for herself whether all she had heard about him was indeed true. This is the kind of visit that our King Jesus likes to have with people this side of Glory. Remember the Samaritan woman (no given name mentioned) at the well? There, Jesus was sitting by the well thirsty and tired. He had been going to and fro in the land sharing about righteousness and explaining how to be near to God. He extended His "scepter" to the woman; "give me a drink." He had her attention. Remember when He got yours? Next, He talked to her in such a way that she wanted to know more about the kind of water He said He could give. Are you convinced you need better water in your life?
     So it was that the Queen of Sheba just had to go to Israel. She had HEARD a lot about the King and maybe she had even heard some of his famous sayings for he was certainly had a way with words. According to the biblical record, he wrote more than 3,000 proverbs, sayings and 1,005 songs. He could "sum up matters" correctly and his wisdom about the God of Israel was beyond description. Who wouldn't want to have an audience with such a king and SEE for yourself?
     The Queen just simply had to know more. MORE. God loves those of us who just have to know more, to have more of Him, to be with Him more. And the good thing about Him is there always IS more. Just like Jesus told that Samaritan lady, it's living water, flowing first here and then there. It sounded to the Samaritan lady just like it sounded to the Queen, too good to be true. But soon she would see for herself. Just as the Queen had to go to Israel so she could document what she saw in order to be able to tell others, the King compelled the Samaritan lady to "go, call your husband, and come back." That's the way it is with divine conviction. It has a way of exercising our hearts to the point that we must pursue Him--we must make the journey--and we must find a way to tell others about the wonders we have seen.
     I wanted to show you a picture of a lovely ''Queen of Sheba" from Alabama but for some reason I cannot import the picture from my camera. I will try to resolve this problem before the next blog for she is too lovely to miss!

Bibledooajar opens for our last visit with Deborah and Barak as she concludes her song by praising Jael and comparing her with Sisera's mother.

     Deborah's song gives us a clear report of the battle for freedom--all the knowns and unknowns that make a battle turn. She sang that saved people would rehearse the righteous acts of the Lord during this battle over and over well into the future. I would say she was indeed a prophet since here we are "rehearsing" in 2010! Deborah could not imagine that people would ever forget the sound of the horse's heels as they pounded on the bed of the Kishon River. She also had a scary request of God--curse those who did not come to His aid against the mighty enemy. (Lord help us!). Her recounting of how Jael dealt with the Sisera supports the fact that efforts like hers must be done thoroughly and completely. I believe she did not just cut down the tree, but that girl surely got to the root of the matter! Deborah says that Jael was brave and courageous and deserved the honor which was bestowed on her. From your tent, can you see the enemy coming?
     At the end of Deborah's song, we find a comment about Sisera's mother. Her character is easily contrasted with Deborah, Israel's moral and spiritual compass. Sisera's mother stood at her window gazing out and tearfully wondering why her son had not returned. What was the delay? Why did she not hear hoofbeats bringing his chariots and carriages? She and the "wisest of her ladies" discussed the matter. What could be causing the delay? Perhaps they were busy dividing all the loot that they had found. Or, maybe they had captured so many that it was taking extra time to allot slaves to each of Sisera's men. And then, what about all of those beautiful Israeli garments laden with embroidery that would have had to be divided?  Thus, her friends tried to comfort and reassure Sisera's mother. But she would surely wail when she learned the truth that her son lay dead at the feet of a woman.
     What I want to know is where was Bael's wife, the goddess Anat, who was supposed to be a fierce defender of families?  Conspicuously absent I would say. Deborah ended her song this way: may all of God's enemies be destroyed and may all who love Him be as the rising sun. The story ends by telling us that the battle was worth it. There was peace in Israel for forty years. Deborah and her mighty force fought valiantly and to this God extended His deliverance and rest for His people. God shined wonderfully that day at the River Kishon. The apostle Paul writing to Christians in Eph. 5:1 says:
         "Awake sleeper, RISE from the dead, and Christ will SHINE upon you."
If we arise and shake off our stupor and get in the battle, Christ will complete His purpose in our lives just as was done in our story. We sit high in the heavenlies (a very fruitful place) with Him and can be at peace in the midst of all the difficulties with which we must deal. We have received the Light and are richly clothed and gifted to do great exploits for God. I really don't want the enemy stripping me of my garments of praise and successfully taking any I love as captive, do you? But, just remember, some "Jael" may get the honor if we do not believe we can serve or if we do not resolve to take action. Jesus stands in the midst of the churches observing. Are we in the fight? That is what we must contemplate as we leave Deborah, Barak, Jael and the other mighty warriors of Israel who stood steadfast in the strength which God supplied.
     A summary of the two polls taken shows that the Queen of Sheba edged out a narrow win. So with our next blog, Bibledoorajar will open for a Queen who had a great visit with a special king. I hope you have been blessed by this blog and that you will want to join the Queen. Who wouldn't want to travel to meet a renown king?

Bibledoorajar for Deborah and Barak's Song of Dominion

     I have decided to continue the poll for another week to see if we have additional votes. So, if you did not vote and would like to, the poll is to the right.
     Lately, we were talking about God's two hidden weapons, the weather and the lady, Jael. The course of the battle and Jael's action made for a wonderful victory for freedom. It was so God-like to use the less than obvious means to secure His plan. I love His ways because it means I am always surprised. Almost everyone likes to be surprised. Now, on to Deborah's song.
     The song is a sweet song of salvation which she sang "on that day." She did not delay which implies that her joy was so great she simply burst into song. After all, her God had just been vindicated over the blasphemous acts of the Canaanites. She gave the glory to God and to Him only. The Master of the Universe (able to manipulate the weather) would to be known to all as the God of Israel (desirous to have a called out people). What a wonderful realization! This victory would, of necessity, have elevated the Israelites to new heights of spirituality and, for this, Deborah was extremely grateful. She took the opportunity to trace God's provision of the law at Mt. Sinai and reminded the Israelites that straying from the law was what always made them vulnerable to their enemies. The Jews should praise God and return to holy acts of service. Now they were free to do so because Deborah reminds them that "in the time of Jael" it was treacherous to even leave your tent to travel. Most of the people had taken to living behind city walls. People who had to be out would go in less travelled ways and take many detours in hopes of avoiding trouble. To be relieved of this kind of stress meant the ladies in the tents would certainly praise Jael because she ended a 20 year cycle of torment.
     But like most mothers, the "mother in Israel" could not resist a little motherly chiding. Things did not get any better until she "arose" and offered herself to God to be a part of the solution. Then, God was able to avenge. For Deborah, this act of offering herself was the fulfillment of her spiritual destiny. People could now ride and walk the roads without fear. She urged the scholars and the businessmen who could return to their efforts unmolested to praise God. All should intensify their praises. Barak could now arise and take his captives because Deborah's efforts had helped his prowess as a warrior. When Barak joined Deborah in the song, the song was one of dominion. But Deborah also expressed her feelings toward some of the tribes who did not respond to Barak's summons for help. There is nothing worse than putting out an appeal for help and getting a poor response. However, such human limitations and failings do not mean that God is failing. For that, we can all praise Him and be encouraged.
     Some of the tribes may have found Deborah's song a little embarrassing. The were probably wishing they had joined in and helped more, especially when Deborah said they would not share in the rewards. Jesus said that if we would confess Him before men, He would confess us before the Father. How are we going to feel when the recitations by Jesus take place in heaven? I heard someone say once, "I'll be happy to just get a back row seat just as long as I get in." But I'm different. I want to think He will feel that with His help I did something of merit on my journey. How about you? We'll end this week on one of Deborah's "notes."

        "Hear O kings; give ear O princes! I, to God shall I sing; I shall sing praise to God, God of Israel!"
                                                        Judges 5:3

Bibledoorajar for Deborah, Barak and Jael as the battle for freedom comes to an end.

     Barak and his valiant men storm down the mountain into the "array." Setting out, they had no assurance that the military odds had changed, but they did have Deborah's charge: "This is the day you will be delivered; the LORD has GONE OUT before you." Having no idea of how God would provide made courage and faith paramount. There is no truer picture of how faith acts. Sometimes people refer to "blind faith" because, even though they believe, they see nothing in their circumstances of how God can provide. But the important thing is that they, like Barak and his men, act. When all is said and done, people are usually surprised by how God provided. I certainly know I have been. Well, in our story, God had two surprises and I am sure they "knocked the socks off" Barak. One surprise was that He had the power to manipulate the weather and the other surprise was the lady pictured by contemporary artist Herb Mandel. The lady is Jael ("mountain goat") and years before, her husband, Heber ("compassion") had moved his family to the Canaanite area. He did business with Jabin, the ruler, and was well known to the people of the region. But Heber was also related to Jethro ("preeminence") who was the father of Zipporah who just happened to be married to Moses. Middle Eastern shepherds often put a mountain goat in their herds to help protect the gentle sheep. How like our God, The Preeminent One, to have compassionately placed a goat in with the Israelites! So there Jael sat in her husband's tent not too far from where the battle was raging.
     God caused a heavy rain to fall. There was lightning clashing in the skies in addition to the clashing of Barak's ("lightning") weapons. The rain caused a flash flood to occur and the Kishon River overflowed its' banks. Sisera's chariots of iron got mired in the mud and could not move. His troops were thrown into panic. Isn't it a bit ironic that Bael, the main Canaanite god, was touted as the god of the weather? I wonder where he was when the big battle raged? Did he not realize the the "array" was in "disarray" and needed their god's help badly? Could he not change the weather for them? Sisera's confidence was shaken; he abandoned his army and fled on foot. As he fled, he saw that he was near the tent of Heber and Jael with whom he was very familiar. What good fortune! He arrived exhausted and Jael met him outside. She reassured Sisera and asked him to come inside the tent. Feeling safe in the presence of an "ally," Sisera asked Jael to watch for his enemies from her doorway. Sisera was thirsty and tired and Jael warmed him some milk and put him to bed. Sisera did not realize that his enemy, the Israelites, were practically "kinfolks" to Jael and Heber. Being exhausted, he fell into a deep sleep. Jael decided what she would do. She took a mallet and a tent nail and slipped into where Sisera lay sleeping. She hammered the tent nail through his head all the way into the ground. Sisera fell DEAD AT THE FEET OF A WOMAN! Deborah's word had come true; a woman would take the glory for killing the enemy. Jael had refused to be seduced by the enemy and she had refused to be afraid. This "offstage" character and the role she played was known only to God. We never know who He may have waiting in the wings and when He has put them there.
     Finally, Barak, who had given chase, arrived at Heber's tent. Jael met him outside and said she would show him the man for whom he searched. There in Jael's tent Barak saw the fulfillment of Deborah's prophecy with his own eyes. The watchman of the Israelites had succeeded. She had told others the truth of God and she had taken action because she knew the God of truth. But it was her God that subdued Jabin that day. Further, the text says that He enabled the Israelites to grow STRONGER AND STRONGER against Jabin, the enemy, until he was utterly destroyed. In Christ, God is still enabling us to overcome enemies of ungodly influences and behavior. Don't forget to praise Him! Next week, we will look at how Deborah and Barak did just that.

Bibledoorajar Deborah con't

Please note the survey on the sidebar. Your vote will influence whose story/His glory that I blog about next. Also, this is a blog where you can feel free to comment at any time. Be blessed!

To free their fellow Israelites meant that Deborah and Barak would have to risk the battle. Barak may have been in the military, but Deborah was a wife and mother. She left everything and everyone that was important to her in order to meet the needs of her fellows. Her actions reveal that she had been watching the events of the day. Watching is a part of being available to God for people like Deborah. She had been disciplined and trained in handling less difficult things at her palm tree. Now God could use her in a more demanding role. The record reveals no hesitation on her part of any kind. Remarkable. But then, how could the Lord who strengthened her be honored if she did not stand ready to obey? Obeying was a part of all she had learned about her God. If she obeyed, God could give new life through her actions. New life for people; it was worth everything. Remember the words of Jesus? He who is faithful in little will be given much to rule over. Christians are in training for bigger things to bring life to our fellows.

The battle called for strategy, Deborah instructed Barak to summon 10,000 men from the tribes of Napthali ("satisfied with favor and full of blessing on the Lord") and Zebulon ("rejoice in their going out; they will summon peoples to the mountain and there will offer sacrifices of righteousness"). She went with him just as he had requested. Barak and his men were to gather up on Mt. Tabor. (Seems like God was also doing divine things from mountains!) Someone reported Barak's actions to Sisera. He positioned his 900 iron chariots and men at strategic points from his hometown territory of Harosheth Haggoyim in northern Canaan all the way to the Kishon River which flowed down from Mt. Tabor. From the mountain heights, Deborah, Barak and the 10,000 valiant Israelites could see "the array" below. What happened next was the equivalent of a modern calvary charge. Deborah gave this word to Barak:
         "Go! This is the day GOD HAS GIVEN Sisera into your hands. Has not the Lord gone ahead of
          you?" (Judges 4;14)
So, Barak charged down the mountain with his 10,000 men. It took faith and courage for Barak to lead those men down that mountain into what awaited. But according to the writer of Hebrews there was much at stake: conquering kingdoms, administering justice, and gaining what was provided when God would turn weakness into strength. God, indeed, did have a couple of things up his sleeve that day on Mt. Tabor and He was out front.

We have a tendency to say we could not fight in battles like the one described here. But the truth is we do. When we join together in humble intercessory prayer fighting for life for our fellows, it is as if we can hear Deborah saying, 'Go! hasn't the Lord gone out before you? He wants you to go with Him'. Paul, writing in Titus 1:1 says that he is an apostle of Jesus Christ for the FAITH of God's elect. We who truly belong to God bear this infallible mark because we know that without faith it is impossible to please Him (Heb.11:6) Onward, christian soldiers, and remember the Lord is out front leading the charge. If you hear of someone this week who needs "life", God may just be calling you to participate in a victory! Have a blessed week.