A Christian Should……. By Stanley T. Crawford

As Christians we should treat each other according to guidelines established by God. God has defined guidelines for our behavior with our brothers and sisters in Christ. In addition, God has defined how we should treat non-Christian. In some cases guidelines are same for our behavior towards Christian and non-Christian. In other cases there are unique behaviors that we should display toward Christian and non-Christian. A look at Romans 12:9 – 21 sheds light on this issue. In this passage, Paul defines some of desired behaviors for Christians in our interactions with Christians and non-Christians.

Paul begins by pointing out that love that we demonstrate should be real (Romans12:9). Paul proceeds to point out that our focus should be on good and not evil. When people say terrible things about us we shouldn’t do same to them. We should instead bless them (Romans 12:14). Implementing this behavior is a challenge in some situations. At times, our emotional state toward our antagonist makes it difficult to bless and not curse. Yet, we must try to remember that God knows best even over our perceptions. (Proverbs 3:5 & 6)

Deborah was a Prophetess who judged Israel. Deborah's prophecy was fulfilled. (Judges 9:9)

The judges were temporary deliverers, sent by God to deliver Israelites from their oppressors. Their name in Hebrew is Shophetim and, which is same as that for ordinary judges. For, though their first work was that of deliverers and leaders in war, they then administered justice to people and their authority supplied want of a regular government.

The Book of Judges called in Hebrew 'Shofetim" (judge), a term identical with Carthaginian 'Sufetes,' althought two offices were not of same nature.

The Book may be divided into three parts. Chapters 2:6-16 begins with an introduction explaining spiritual significance of events narrated.

Fourth Judge: Deborah and Barak

Let's look at Judges 4:4-9; 14, 15 and 17a

verse 4...And Deborah, a prophetess, wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.

Deborah was not chosen by people or appointed by people. God raised her up to help His people, and thus she judged Israel at that time. The record teaches us that Deborah was a prophetess. Deborah was judge and one who had gift of prophecy.

verse 5...And she dwelt under palm tree of Deborah, between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and children of Israel came up to her for judgment.

Mount Ephraim is all hill country belonging to tribe of Ephraim. The word "dwelt" could be that Deborah lived there or that was place at which she gave justice to those who came up to her for judgment.

verse 6...And she sent and called Barak son of Abinoam out of Kedesh-naphtali, and said unto him, Hath not LORD God of Israel commanded, saying: Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of children of Naphtali and of children of Zebulun?

Barak lived around 80 miles to north of where Deborah held court, but it appears he came when Deborah called him. Deborah told Barak that she was giving him message of Lord God of Israel, not of her own. God wanted Barak to assemble an army of 10,000 men from tribe of Naphtali which was Barak's own tribe and neighbor tribe of Zebulun. Barak was to lead army to Mount Tabor.

verse 7...And I will draw unto thee, to river Kishon, Sisera captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand.

The Lord planned to deliver men into Barak's hand: He promised victory to Barak and his army.