There are those who avoid reading and studying the Old Testament due to the misguided opinion that it is boring and irrelevant. The current episode of “Ancient Words, Modern Message” will certainly demonstrate that such a thought could not be farther from the truth.

This portion of the Book of Judges recounts what might well be considered one of the most intriguing and dramatic scenes to be found among the narratives of Israel’s many conflicts with their enemies in the nations surrounding them.

And yet, the two principal players in this scene are not battling warriors, but a sleeping general and a woman with camping gear!

Out of this incident comes yet again a reminder that God delights in using the most ordinary of people and the most humble of instruments to accomplish His plans, so that there can be no doubt as to the source of success.

With this in mind, let’s turn to the fourth chapter of the Book of Judges to meet another of the “Stout-Hearted Men and Women” in this fourth study in the series, an episode we call “The Hammer of Justice in the Hand of the Brave."

Thank you for listening to Ancient Words, Modern Message. You can expect episodes twice a month on Monday. Ancient Words, Modern Message is supported by Hebrew Christian Fellowship. To learn more about our ministry, or to ask a question, contact HCFellowship4819@gmail.com. We might just answer your question on a future episode of Ancient Words, Modern Message. If you know a person that you think would benefit from this teaching, please share it with them. And if you’d like to support Ancient Words, Modern Message, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your input helps us make the podcast even better and reach new listeners. Ancient Words, Modern Message is produced by Studio D Podcast Production and hosted by Rev. Roger Wambold, Director of Hebrew Christian Fellowship.

A highly respected Christian leader and Bible teacher famously said, “Just once I’d like to walk into a church and have it smell more like after-shave than perfume!” His point was that far too often women take the lead when it comes to spiritual matters because the men have shirked their responsibilities.

It is this troublesome weakness of male leadership that is very much in evidence in this next study in the Book of Judges, as the repetitive cycle of Israel’s disobedience to God, divine judgment at the hand of their enemies, appeal for help from Heaven, and deliverance under the leadership of a judge is once again on display.

A careful consideration of the Biblical record suggests that God’s “man for the hour” to lead Israel to deliverance from a twenty year oppression by the Canaanites was actually Barak, but he sadly shrank from his duty, at which point a Godly woman named Deborah stepped in to bolster his resolve and courage. It might be said that the two main characters in this account could be identified as “a stout-hearted woman and a faint-hearted man.”

We will take note of Deborah’s inspiring reminder to Barak as they faced their enemies, “Does not the LORD go out before you?” It was this assurance that Barak needed to “step up to the plate,” and it is the assurance that we need likewise to face challenges in our lives today.

So let’s open our bibles to Judges 4:1-15 for the next study in this series, an episode entitled, “Behind Every Good Man. . .”

Thank you for listening to Ancient Words, Modern Message. You can expect episodes twice a month on Monday. Ancient Words, Modern Message is supported by Hebrew Christian Fellowship. To learn more about our ministry, or to ask a question, contact HCFellowship4819@gmail.com. We might just answer your question on a future episode of Ancient Words, Modern Message. If you know a person that you think would benefit from this teaching, please share it with them. And if you’d like to support Ancient Words, Modern Message, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your input helps us make the podcast even better and reach new listeners. Ancient Words, Modern Message is produced by Studio D Podcast Production and hosted by Rev. Roger Wambold, Director of Hebrew Christian Fellowship.

The iconic instruction of the classic Hollywood movie director was: “Lights, camera, action!”

In some ways these same instructions could apply to a study of the Old Testament book of Judges.

“Lights!” A careful study of the text shines a light on what took place in Israel over three thousand years ago.

“Camera!” We want to be sure that what we see and learn is something we retain and apply to our own lives here and now.

“Action!” There certainly is plenty of dramatic action to be seen in the lives and service of the twelve individuals featured in these accounts.

But then there is yet another command barked out by the aforementioned director: “Cut!” That order is given when the scene does not go well and the one in charge wants everything to come to a halt and the scene improved.

That instruction, too, could apply to the book of Judges with the same scene repeated over and over again in its troublesome form as a four-step cycle is seen in its pernicious form over a 337-year period of time. In watching the action unfold, we feel like shouting, “Cut!”

And so we begin a consideration of the script acted out by the first three of twelve judges featured in the Book of Judges in this series of studies entitled, “Stout-hearted Men and Women” in this episode entitled, “Fit for the Master’s Use.”

Thank you for listening to Ancient Words, Modern Message. You can expect episodes twice a month on Monday. Ancient Words, Modern Message is supported by Hebrew Christian Fellowship. To learn more about our ministry, or to ask a question, contact HCFellowship4819@gmail.com. We might just answer your question on a future episode of Ancient Words, Modern Message. If you know a person that you think would benefit from this teaching, please share it with them. And if you’d like to support Ancient Words, Modern Message, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your input helps us make the podcast even better and reach new listeners. Ancient Words, Modern Message is produced by Studio D Podcast Production and hosted by Rev. Roger Wambold, Director of Hebrew Christian Fellowship.