Best Defense Dominant Women

What happens when God chooses the unexpected champion? In this soul-stirring episode, I explore the remarkable story of two extraordinary women from the book of Judges who changed the course of Israel's history through their courage and obedience.

Diving deep into Judges 4-5, we meet Deborah—not just a judge but a prophetess chosen by God to lead Israel during a time of oppression. When military leader Barak refuses to go to battle without her, Deborah prophesies that victory will come "at the hands of a woman." The prophecy finds its fulfillment through Jael, who with stunning boldness and a tent peg, delivers Israel from their oppressor in dramatic fashion.

This devotional challenges conventional thinking about leadership, courage, and divine calling. God chooses His vessels not based on gender, status, or societal expectations, but on faithfulness and willingness to step forward when called. 

Are you prepared to embrace your unique role in God's kingdom? Subscribe to explore more biblical truths that empower your faith journey, and share this episode with someone who needs to be reminded of their value in God's eyes, regardless of how the world might see them.

Key passages: Judges 4-5

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Chapters

• 0:00 Introducing Jesse Morgan's Devotional
• 1:25 Basketball Camp Story
• 4:55 The Story of Deborah and Jael
• 8:06 Women's Role in God's Kingdom
• 9:32 Prayer and Closing Thoughts
• 10:49 Behind the Scenes Reflections

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

Hello, hello. You're listening to the Jesse Morgan Devotions for the Christian Heart Podcast, episode 54. This week's devotional is titled Best Defense Dominant Women Study of Deborah. Let's go. Hi. I'm Jesse Morgan. I used to just share home decor and renovation tips on social media, but now I'm sharing something even closer to my heart my journey and love for Jesus Christ, my Savior. Welcome to the Jesse Morgan Devotions for the Christian Hot Podcast.

Speaker 1: 0:34

This is a weekly devotional. I started back in May 2024, but the inspiration for it came much earlier. It was rooted in a faith journey that began when my daughter was born, four months early in 2023. Through that challenging time, god worked in ways that truly amazed me. On this podcast, I share personal stories of faith, woven together with scripture to show just how incredible God's word can be in our everyday lives. My hope is that through these stories, you'll be encouraged, uplifted and reminded of God's love and presence, no matter what you're going through. So I invite you to spend less than 15 minutes with me each week as we reflect on these devotionals together. Let's all pray within.

Speaker 1: 1:12

Best Defense Dominant Women Episode 54, the Study of Judges, featuring Debra. Hey friends, welcome back to the podcast, okay, okay. So I've got a childhood story for you today, not the most fun one, but it definitely turned into a positive experience. Still, I wouldn't want to relive it ever again. So picture this I'm in maybe sixth or seventh grade and my mom signs me up for a week-long basketball camp at the youth center up the street from our house. I did not want to go, like I was begging her, please don't make me go, mom but she insisted it's good for you, jess, you need this Now. Listen, I was not into basketball, never had been. I just enjoy watching it on TV. My dad drops me off and I realize real quick it's a co-ed camp but there are only two girls total Me and another girl who ends up in the younger age group. I was about 12, so I got placed with the 11 to 14 year old group. That meant I was the only girl in my group surrounded by loud, competitive boys, can you just imagine? And y'all, I had no basketball skills, could barely dribble, didn't know all the rules and the coaches all athletic guys. I felt so out of place. I made mistakes. Some kids even fussed at me.

Speaker 1: 2:52

That first day. It was rough. Lunchtime comes, I grab my lunch pail and I head outside like everyone else, but no one wants to sit with me. So I walked into the girl's bathroom, sat in a stall and ate my lunch alone. It was lonely. Honestly, it was just really. I felt pathetic. But I went back that afternoon.

Speaker 1: 3:18

I kept trying. I didn't have the technique, but you know what I did have Speed, without even realizing it, I could fly up and down the court. One time on a fast break, a kid passed me the ball and I made the easy layup and defense. I was on people like glue. I didn't let up. Day after day I kept showing up, still ate lunch in the bathroom, still felt out of place, but I kept playing hard and by the end of the week we played in a tournament. Our team came in second place overall. I started all five games surprised. The boys even started arguing for me to guard certain players and lead fast breaks.

Speaker 1: 4:00

Then came Friday award time. They handed out trophies MVP, best offensive player, all the usual ones and then they announced best defensive player for the entire camp and it was me. I was stunned. Even the boys clapped boys who hadn't said a word to me all week. Afterwards I asked one of the coaches you really think I had good defense and he said yeah, man, you were like the glove. At the time I didn't know what that meant, but now I do. Gary Payton, legendary defensive player the glove was his nickname. I earned their respect. They still didn't want to hang out with me or anything, but the energy had shifted a bit and that meant something. Well, what I want to go through? Well, basically, would I want to go through that again? Absolutely not, but I was proud of myself, proud that I showed up, pushed through and held my own Defense. Isn't always glamorous, but it's gritty, it's bold, and that week so was I. Girl power, right. Which brings me to this week's devotional, judges 4 and 5.

Speaker 1: 5:15

We're really going to focus in on Chapter 4, but this devotional really features two, two, might I say, incredible women Debra and Jael. At first, I'll be honest, I struggled to connect deeply with the story, but that changed when I met Jael. Her part in the story totally reframed how I saw Deborah. So here's the setup Israel is being oppressed again. So here's the setup Israel is being oppressed again and God raised up a judge named Deborah. But she's not just a judge, which was interesting. She's also a prophetess, wise, spirit-filled, chosen by God to lead and speak his truth.

Speaker 1: 6:02

God gives Deborah a word for a man named Barak. He's supposed to lead Israel into battle against Caesarea, the commander of the enemy that is oppressing Israel, but Barak hesitated. He says he won't go unless Deborah goes with him to tell Israel to fight. And Deborah replies okay, I'll go, but the honor of this victory won't go to you, it will go to a woman. Interesting verse there and back then that was huge. Women weren't seen as warriors or leaders. But God, he had other plans. So they go into battle and Israel wins.

Speaker 1: 6:45

Caesarea, the enemy commander, flees on foot. He ends up at the tent of a woman named Jael. He thinks he's safe because her people have an alliance or you know they're in good, they're usually in good relations with him. You know they're in good, they're usually in good relations with him. And he. Caesarea asks Jael to hide him, give him water and stand guard. And she does until he falls asleep. Then Jael grabs a tent peg and a hammer and drives it through his skull. You heard me? The peg went through his skull. I know graphic, but that's how Israel's oppression ends At the hands of a woman. God used her boldness to finish what Deborah started. Between Deborah's leadership and Jael's fearlessness, we get a powerful truth God uses women boldly, strategically, powerfully, and guess what? He still does to this day?

Speaker 1: 7:48

That week at basketball camp, my team had me guard the top shooter every game. It was exhausting, but I rose to the challenge. Even the MVP, the best boy in the camp, had to work hard because I was guarding him. Back then I didn't realize the weight I was carrying. But now I look back and think, wow, I was killing it a bit. My husband would be very proud. He was a basketball player actually.

Speaker 1: 8:13

So anyways, as women to continue the story, as women we hold a special place in God's kingdom, his team, we are part of the team, and sometimes he calls us to step up, to lead, to carry the weight, not because men can't, but because he chose us to. That's not something to shy away from, it's something to praise God for. So let me ask you this Are you ready, man or woman, to take the shot when God calls on you, or are you willing to come off the bench and let someone else step up if that's what the moment requires? Either way, it's about honoring God with our role and going for that. And one.

Speaker 1: 9:04

Let's pray, heavenly Father. Thank you for the boldness of Deborah, thank you for the encouragement of JL, thank you that the Bible shows us not just the beautiful but the brutal truths too, because life isn't always clean and pretty. It's messy, it's hard, and yet you show up in the middle of it all. Help us to trust you when the battle looks bigger than us. Give us the strength to step up when you call and the humility to sit down when it's not our turn. Use us, men and women, to fulfill your purpose. Lord, let us be ready, bold and obedient. Father, we love you and father, we praise you in jesus name. Amen, till next time.

Speaker 1: 9:52

Well, that wraps up this week's episode. I hope these devotions help you draw closer to god each day. If this episode encouraged, please share it with someone who might need the same message and don't forget to subscribe so you never miss a weekly episode. Also, if you feel compelled, leaving a nice review would be so appreciated as well. For more information or to reach out, check the show notes or visit jessimorganhomecom or find me on Instagram at jessimorganlife. Remember God's timing is always perfect. Keep trusting him Until next time.

Speaker 1: 10:25

This is Jessi Morgan praying on Jessi Morgan Devotions behind the scenes, starting right now. Welcome back, welcome back. This is jesse morgan um behind the scenes. And today I just wanted to really focus in on I am woman, hear me, roar, you know. So we know this is like a girl power type of devotional, with two dominant women that god used to deliver his nation, save the nation of Israel.

Speaker 1: 11:03

But what I also wanted to just look at that really struck me was Barak and how God went to Deborah to send a message to Barak that he is to lead Israel into battle against Caesarea. Who was he is to lead Israel into battle against Caesarea? Who was, you know, oppressing Israel? And the fact that he told Deborah you need to come with me to tell the soldiers this. And the fact that she said to him well, since you know, you're doing this, the victory will be at the hands of a woman. And I know in scripture it doesn't mention his response to that, but clearly he was okay with it and I interpret it as he accepted that and he was fine with that.

Speaker 1: 11:50

And what a person, what a man at that time. Who's supposed to be leading an army against a massive enemy of Israel? Who's supposed to be leading an army against a massive enemy of Israel, who clearly was a warrior himself, probably, and he still wanted Deborah by his side. He still wanted a woman by his side, and I don't think he cared that she was a woman, he cared the fact that she was filled with the spirit because she was a prophetess of the Lord. And I just really admire that of Barack and how he understood his place and how he felt better having her by his side and he was okay with a woman being being credited with the victory of defeating Caesarea and not him. And that just speaks wonders to the faith of, of, uh, of Brock, in my opinion, and how he valued two women and he really could have been jealous.

Speaker 1: 12:55

You know, in scripture doesn't talk about it, but I just feel like, since scripture is not talking about it, it wasn't relevant and scripture doesn't talk about it, but I just feel like, since scripture's not talking about it, it wasn't relevant and it wasn't, it wasn't important and I'm thinking that it just wasn't a focus for God, it wasn't a focus for the story, it wasn't a focus for Brock. So I just think that that's so amazing and whenever you know women, men, we have to understand our place within God's plan, not within society. Okay, I'm talking about in God's plan and understanding that God will use you when needed. And it doesn't matter your status, doesn't matter the sex Doesn't matter, your class level doesn't matter the money you have, doesn't matter your degrees, it doesn't matter at all. All that matters is that you have the faith that God is looking for. You're a child of God and he's ready to use you because you have a specific strength, you have a specific characteristic that he made for you and he's ready to use it.

Speaker 1: 14:03

And I think us, as Christians, understanding our place when our peer, when our sister, when our friend, when our brothers, when our husbands, when our wives, when our you know coworkers, when someone else has to take the realm and take the spotlight, we're okay with that and we're not offended because they're the ones that are taking the lead, us as a woman, us as a man, us as you know, whatever, sitting in the backseat a bit. We have to be okay with that and as Christians, we have to support our fellow Christians that are in the spotlight at the moment. That is going to be known for the victory, that's going to get that success, that's going to get that attention. But that doesn't mean that you're not going to be rewarded for the obedience of supporting them. That doesn't mean that God's not going to use you one day. He is, he will, as long as you stay faithful and you stay the course.

Speaker 1: 14:56

So I just encourage you today, like remember that about Deborah and Barak and Jael and the fact that Barak as a man, as a warrior, was okay with letting two women dominate this victory for Israel. So just remember that guys, just be encouraged. Love you guys, love everyone who's listened. Thank you so much for the support. Have a blessed week Till next time. Jesse Morgan praying off.