From Deborah to Pentecost

Friday, August 4, 2006 -- Week of Proper 12

"Morning Reflections" is a brief thought about the scripture readings from the Daily Office of Morning and Evening Prayer according to the practice found in the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.

Morning Prayer begins on p. 80 of the Book of Common Prayer.
Evening Prayer begins on p. 117

An online resource for praying the Daily Office is found at www.missionstclare.com
Another form of the office from Phyllis Tickle's "Divine Hours" is available on our partner web site www.ExploreFaith.org at this link -- http://explorefaith.org/prayer/fixed/index.html

Today's Readings for the Daily Office (p. 977)
Psalm 69:1-23(24-30)31-38 (morning) // 73 (evening)
Judges 5:1-18
Acts 2:1-21
Matthew 28:1-10

Judges 5 is among the oldest pieces of literature we have in the Bible, and our earliest example of Hebrew poetry. It was probably written soon after the events it describes, the great battle at the plain of the river Kishon, west of Mount Tabor at the Megiddo pass. Archeologists have evidence to date the battle around 1125 BCE.

The leader who calls Israel to battle is Deborah, the judge. She commanded Barak to lead the armies against Sisera the general of the Cannanite army of Jabin. He consents to lead in battle, as long as Deborah, the charismatic leader of Israel, will go with him. The poem gives her the honorific title "mother in Israel."

Victory comes largely because of a storm which causes the waters of the Kishon to rise and confound the chariot led army of Sisera. The poetry of the Song of Deborah praises the God of Israel who caused the storm which defeated the enemies.

This was a significant battle which effectively ended any united tribal resistance to Israel. In the poem, ten of the tribes are mentioned. Deborah had called Israel's tribes to war. The praises the six who responded, and she bitterly censures the four clans who did not answer her call.

Within the story of the victory, is the death of the Cannanite general Sisera at the hand of a woman, Jael, the wife of a Kenite named Heber. While Sisera was escaping, Jael welcomed him to her tent (there are sexual overtones), where she killed him with a tent peg and mallet. (Women usually set the tent pegs for the homes of these tribes.)

A quick note on the work of the Spirit. In this most ancient of passages, we see God's Spirit active in the charismatic leadership of a Judge of Israel, an office that arises when needed, filled by one chosen of God. We see God's Spirit creating the storm that brings flood which turns the battle.

In Matthew we see the power of God's Spirit accomplishing the resurrection of Jesus from the tomb. And angel announces the news to the women. Jesus appears to the women and tells them to be his first witnesses. He will meet them all in Galilee.

In Acts we see the gift of the Spirit poured upon the disciples on the day of Pentecost. They are filled with power to speak God's praise in the language and dialect of other people. The Spirit is restoring the divisions of tribe and language.

The Spirit's activity presents a movement from tribal battle and death to resurrection and union. We're called to continue that trajectory.

Lowell
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The Rev. Lowell Grisham
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, AR