via TJC
Barak told her, “I will go, but only if you go with me.”
“Very well,” she replied, “I will go with you. But you will receive no honor in this venture, for the Lord’s victory over Sisera will be at the hands of a woman.” So Deborah went with Barak to Kedesh.
—Judges 4:8-9 NLT
Over the last couple of decades, I have been involved in a lot of men's ministry stuff. Not just with the Joshua Commission, but at church, at retreats, through other ministries, and in small groups. If you have read many of these Battle Orders, you have likely heard Every Man A Warrior (EMAW) mentioned. The author of that great training resource says, “If you are going to reach a culture for Christ, you must get the men!” TJC believes this as well, which is why we unapologetically work to reach men with the challenge and opportunity to find victory in their relationship with Christ.
The world we live in today doesn’t embrace this approach with open arms like in the past. It wants us to believe “men are bad” and “masculinity is toxic.” Many will point to Christianity and the church to support their reasoning. Oftentimes throughout history, we even deserve it, but only because we aren’t following God's plan for us as men.
I love God stuck this story of Deborah in the middle of Judges. It should give us confidence as Christian men that God, in fact, did not start the first He-Man Woman-Haters Club. Women in this story kick ass, and the top guy in the story is ready to follow good leadership, regardless of sex.
Daily Battle Order:
Go to Judges and read this whole story for yourself. There is a second woman in the story you don’t want to miss. As you read it, consider Barak and his willingness to follow Deborah’s leadership and even give up credit for the victory. Is there a place in your life where you pull your “Man Card” because you are too proud to follow a Godly woman’s leadership?
Wise counsel, it is good to be reminded who initiated this counsel as we march to battle.