Whose Glory?
Deborah, a prophetess, used to sit under a palm in the hill country of Ephraim. She summoned Barak and said to him, “The God of Israel commands you, ‘Go, take position at Mount Tabor; I will draw out Sisera, the general of Jabin’s army, to meet you with his chariots and troops, and I will give him into your hand.’ Nevertheless,” Deborah continued, “the road on which you are going will not lead to your glory, for God will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.” – Judges 4:4-9 excerpted (NRSV)
Actually, Barak gets his share of praise in the post-battle victory song of Judges 5. So does Deborah, for her role in laying out God’s battle plan to Barak.
Then the victory song celebrates Jael, the woman who brought refreshments to General Sisera with one hand and a deadly tent peg in the other.
But beyond the Book of Judges, Barak is barely mentioned; Deborah and Jael aren’t at all. Ultimately, the victory over Sisera is a small detail within the larger story of God’s covenant with humanity.
I suppose most of our “victories” in life are small like that: noticed only by a few, remembered by even fewer, but pivotal to us in the moment. The victory of self-restraint over temptation. The victory of integrity within our work. The victory of peace in a season of turmoil.
Sometimes, the victory is getting out of bed. Sometimes, the victory is defeating the bad guy. Either way, tomorrow will bring a new share of struggles and triumphs.
It’s just fine if folks don’t break into a song after we’ve risen to the occasion; if our name isn’t remembered for all time because we’ve faithfully followed God; if a path of glory isn’t laid out for us after we’ve battled our inner demons or triumphed over injustice. The road doesn’t lead to our glory, Deborah reminds us. It was never meant to.
Prayer
The glory is yours, O God, for the miracle of this breath and the mercy of this day. Guide me through success and failure so that I remain forever on your path.
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