Deborah-Judge of Israel

Deborah and Barak

Before the monarchy came into Israel, they were ruled by people that were called Judges. They were people that were anointed by the Lord to be their protector. Since possessing the land of Canaan, the Israelites were told by God through Moses and Joshua not to worship foreign gods. But the Israelites didn't heed God's word and came to worship foreign gods   In turn, God gave them to be subject to foreign kingdoms. When they cry out to God, they were delivered out of the hand of their oppressors.

The most famous Judges of  Israel are Gideon and Samson. One from being a coward to redeeming his people and the other for his great feats of strength. The bible however, mentions of only one female Judge: Deborah.

When the Canaanite King Jabin, king of Hazor and Sisera his captain who oppressed the Israelites for twenty years, they cried out to the Lord God. Deborah, the wife of Lapidoth was a prophetess and the Judge of Israel at that time. The Israelites came to her for judgement. She then sent for Barak, son of Abinoam, to take ten thousand men from the children of the tribes of Napthali and Zebulun, and go to Mount Tabor. They will meet Sisera in the bank of the river Kishon. Barak only agreed if she will accompany them, and she did, but she told Barak that the victory over Sisera will be in the hands of a woman. Thus they went. Sisera and his chariots and men met Barak and his men in the Kishon river. God then delivered Sisera and his men to Barak, all of them falling by the sword, with only Sisera escaping,only to be killed by Jael, wife of Heber when he fled from the battlefield. The combined armies of Israel was able to subdue King Jabin, and thus peace reigned in the land for forty years.The Song of Deborah and Barak tells of such events.
Judges ( 4-5)

The story of Deborah shows that women have the capacity to lead and become leaders not just in times of peace but even in times of war. Leaders like Elizabeth I (England), Golda Meir (Israel) and Margaret Thatcher (UK) all lead their countries at the time they are at war. It just showed women can be like Deborah, who was granted victory by God and made the land peaceful for forty years. She is the only female judge. May this post remind us that it is not in gender but in his graces that we can do many great wonders.

MAY JESUS BLESS YOU

BRIAN LUCIANO
NOVEMBER 10,2016                

Naomi and Ruth- A mother and her daughter-in-law

Naomi and Ruth

Let's face it. Our relationship with our in-laws are not always the best, Since they are relatives of your wife or husband, there are times that they don't go along well with us. There are points that the parents-in-law don't like their son or daughter in-law, resulting in a conflict and a rift in their relationship. Some argue that they only look after the general welfare of their own children, and not his or her better half. This is one of the most stained relationships that we have. I have to admit, me and my wife have our fair share of this.

But the Bible tells us one of the most beloved stories of in-laws: that of Naomi and her daughter-in-law, Ruth. Naomi,her husband Elimelech, and her sons, Mahlon and Chilion went to the Moab since there was famine in their land. Her husband died, and her two sons married Moabite women. They stayed in Moab for ten years. Then her sons died, leaving her with her daughters-in-law. Seeing nothing there for her in Moab, she decides to go back to her land.  She then told her daughters-in-law to go back to their families and find themselves a new husband. One of her daughters-in-law, Orpah, followed her command, and left her. But Ruth didn't and she told her this" Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me."
They return to Bethlehem, just in time for the beginning of the barley harvest. ( Ruth 1:1-22)

Ruth then gathers barley that is left behind in the field of Boaz. When his workmen tried to scold her, Boaz then came by and asked her about it. She ten told him about the situation with her and her mother-in-law. Boaz then asked her not to go to any other filed, and and get as much as she can. He also advised the workmen not to scold her. When she got back to her mother-in-law, she told her of his name and she recognized that she was their kinsman, by her husband Elimelech. Naomi was joyful of the news, and even told her of how she can be close to Boaz. So one night, as Boaz was drunk in the thresing floor Ruth came by and slept at his feet. When he awoke, he saw that Ruth was at his feet, and asked he a question, to which she replied "I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman". Boaz acknowledged her as a kinsman and even gave her six measures barley to take to her mother-in-law. Then Boaz came to a kinsman, and told him if he was interested in purchasing the parcel of land of Naomi, wife of their kinsman Elimelech. He also told him that if he purchases the land he should also purchase Ruth, the Moabite woman and widow of the son of Naomi. Boaz's kinsman was interested in the land but not at Ruth, thus he let Boaz purchase the land as well. Boaz purchased the land and took Ruth as his wife. They had a son Obed, who Naomi placed in her bosom and became a nurse unto him. As we all know, Obed is King David's grandfather. ( Ruth 2-4 )

The story of Naomi and Ruth showed the kindness that was shown by a daughter-in-law to her mother-in-law. Though not related by blood, she took care of her and resided by her side. This made me reflect my own relationship with my parents-in-law. I was never a different person from them. Though there were times that I didn't think very well of them, they never did the same for me, treating me like their very own son. I pray to God for forgiveness for all the transgressions I did to them, and to them to forgive me as well. I can always remember how happy they were when our daughter Pia was born, that my mother-in-law carried her in her bosom as Naomi did.          

This piece of the blog is written to my dear parents-in law: Nestor Espiritu and Jocelyn Espiritu. Thank you for all that you have done for me and my family. I will pray to our Lord Jesus Christ to increase your grandchildren, and give you a longer life to see your grandchildren grow. As you both grow old, I promise you that my household shall take care of you. This I swear by the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

MAY JESUS BLESS YOU AND I LOVE YOU BOTH, PAPA AND MAMA!

BRIAN LUCIANO, YOUR SON-IN-LAW,ALONG WITH MY WIFE AND DAUGTHER

NOVEMBER 4,2016