Bible Bee

Last Sunday’s sermon was preached by Sister Renata with the title “Bible Bee” (Judges 4:1-16; Mark 16:1-8). The sermon and the whole service can be watched on our WIC YouTube Channel:

 

My dear Sisters (Brothers also). One of our Sisters inspired me, some days ago, when she mentioned a lady from the Old Testament Book of Judges: Deborah. Only two chapters speak of her, and frankly it’s the same story, in prose and as a poem. She was the fourth judge of Israel, and the only woman in this position, ever. She was also a political and a military leader, and more importantly, she was a prophetess of the Lord.

           

We don’t know much about the private life of Deborah. She had a husband called Lappidoth, and probably also children, as an ordinary Jewish woman. To my mind, she was a middle-aged woman rather than a young lady, because in ancient times old age was more connected with wisdom and respect than it is now. I imagine that her children were mature and had their own families. I don’t think she was childless, because being childless was a curse in Israel and she couldn’t be the leader of the nation in such a case. I suppose that Deborah could have been a widow, but we really have no evidence of this. Only that she had a lot of time to play her role as a judge. But these are only my suppositions, and I don’t know if they’re true or not.

 

As we read in our reading, Deborah had chosen Barak, son of Abinoam, as a military commander, and sent him into battle with the Canaanites. What an amazing, impossible situation that was! This came to me with the words spoken by Barak: Barak told her: “I will go, but only if you go with me.”

 

Can you imagine? Something is upside down. Deborah could say those words to Barak, but not Barak to Deborah. It’s crazy. But don’t forget about one thing. Deborah was chosen by the Lord, as a prophetess. She was so close to Him, so much on fire, that Barak, and not only him, but all the Israelites, saw in her not an old, weak woman, but the Lord Himself. Barak, the leader of the army, said to God: “I will go, but only ...”. Barak was obedient to the Lord’s recommendation. And the fruit of this obedience was that the Israelites won the battle.

 

A very similar situation met Gideon, described in chapter 6 of the Book of Judges. He was a young son of Joash the farmer, maybe a teenager. He said: “My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!” But what did he hear from the Lord’s Angel? I love this: “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!”. This mighty hero, who was just threshing the grain, was hearing secretly: “Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!” So he did, and it happened like the Lord said. It’s a very interesting story how he won, but we haven’t got so much time for that.

 

What I’d like to say, with those examples, is what you’ve probably heard many times. God always chooses what is weak, not worthy, too old or too young in people’s eyes. And with those chosen ones, He does incredible things.

 

I think about middle-aged women, also older ones, like me. But, my young Sisters, don’t worry. You’ll be in this age group sooner than you think. So, when your children are adults, have their own families, maybe far away; when you are retired, maybe forced to be so; when you are widows, or sick, or lonely, or whatever: don’t think that it’s the end of your life. It could be a new beginning, a new chapter, if you are close to the Lord, and let Him act through you. It’s not necessary for you to go to another town, country, continent, to find new inspiration, a new reason for living. It could happen, but not necessarily.

 

Think about that first day of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, described in Mark 16, 1-8, which was our second reading. The angel said to the women: “ Now go and tell His disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see Him there, just as He told you before He died.” Why to Galilee? Why not somewhere else? Because Galilee was a place they knew very well. It was where they belonged. Where they met Jesus, in the beginning. And what happened next? They went fishing. After three years by Jesus’ side, after so many miracles, they went fishing! They had reached a wall, not knowing what to do. And then they met Jesus, one more time.

 

What happened after that? After this open-hearted meeting, with a breakfast prepared by Jesus the Saviour, they became apostles, witnesses, the leaders of churches, martyrs, totally new persons. Jesus expanded their borders at the same place where they were. Jesus showed them how much there is to do there. On the same ground where they thought there was only fishing to be done. They were right, quite frankly, but from that moment on they started to fish for souls. Jesus expanded their hearts, and we can also say: He expanded their reach.

 

I see us in the same situation. Our life is perhaps not as exciting as when we were young. But look at Deborah once more. You know, if she was a widow, maybe without her children living close by, or even without them at all, she should have been at the bottom of the social ladder: without money, without a home and a protector or guardian. But she wasn’t. You know why. Because she was walking with God. Her strength lay in resting in Him. The same thing could be your own life experience.

 

Sometimes a way that is His proposal for you doesn’t look nice or easy. You could be afraid to start, and you might even doubt if it’s good for you. But if you’ll be obedient, like Deborah, Barak, Gideon and many others, you’ll find happiness.

 

Look at me. I’m retired, my children are grown up, they live away from home. Luckily my husband is well. So I thought that my life would be quiet, calm, even boring. But what happened instead? I was elected Chairman of the Church Council. Suddenly, and without any notice. And now? I’m preaching! How is it possible? These are not my plans, not my ways. These are God’s ways. And I’m trying to walk with Him.

 

Do you know what the name Deborah means in Hebrew? Originally it sounded like  “d`vorah”. It’s a bee! A small bee! But these small bees are great warriors, hardy workers, making houses, producing honey, taking care of a new generations, queen mothers giving life to new generations – all of them are female. All of you Sisters are bees! Stay in touch with God, and He’ll give you His Holy Spirit: “ruah” in Hebrew. Also a feminine name. And if you do so, you will remain Bible bees, like Deborah.

 

BTW there are also male bees, but that’s for another story! Amen.