by Mark Mayberry
Synopsis: Jimmy Buffet once said, "Indecision may or may not be my problem." Although we may not waste away in Margaritaville, we may squander considerable time and energy through indecision.
The American Heritage Dictionary defines "indecision" as "reluctance or an inability to make up one's mind; irresolution." In contrast, one who is "decisive" is "characterized by or showing the ability to make decisions quickly and firmly; resolute." Instead of evidencing indecision, the people of God should be decisive.
When Deborah and Barak led the forces of Israel against Sisera and Barak (Judg. 4:1-10), the tribe of Reuben evidenced inefficiency: "Among the divisions of Reuben there were great resolves/searchings of heart" (Judg. 5:12-23, esp. vv. 15-16). In other words, while other tribes quickly responded, Reuben's response was simply to debate and discuss the issue.
Before Elijah's contest with the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel, the prophet rebuked the people of Israel for their hesitancy: "How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him." However, the people did not answer him a word (1 Kings 18:21). In other words, they were unwilling to commit.
The Hebrew word translated "hesitate" means "to limp." In some ways, the original translation offered by Simon J. DeVries in the Word Biblical Commentary may best capture the thought: "And Elijah drew near to all the people and said, 'For how much longer are you going to hobble about on two crutches? If Yahweh is God, go after him, and if Baal is, go after him.' But the people answered not a word" (DeVries, 223).
Jesus said, "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth (Matt. 6:24; cf. Luke 16:13).
On the one hand, the Greek word translated "love" identifies that Christ-like love in seeking the highest good of another person. The word translated "be devoted" refers to the strong attachment we must have to God, His revealed word, and His beloved people. On the other hand, the Greek word translated "hate" identifies a strong aversion to someone or something. The word translated "despise" means to look down upon someone or something with contempt. In other words, divided loyalty will not suffice. You can't have it both ways.
Hear the dual warnings of James about the danger of doubt and double-mindedness (Jas. 1:5-8; 4:3-10). In this context, doubt means "to be uncertain, be at odds with oneself, doubt, waver." When messengers came from Cornelius, summoning Peter to Caesarea, the Spirit said, "Get up, go downstairs and accompany them without misgivings, for I have sent them Myself" (Acts 10:20). Regarding the promises of God, Abraham "did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God" (Rom. 4:20).
The word translated "double-minded" is descriptive of one who is "of two minds, i.e., wavering." We must not waver, being tossed here and there like a piece of driftwood, or stagger like a helpless drunk, being uncertain about our spiritual convictions and commitments (Jas. 1:8; 4:8).
Decisiveness requires full commitment (Josh. 24:14-28). At the end of his life, Joshua challenged the nation of Israel, "Choose this day!" Fear the Lord. Serve Him in sincerity and truth. Put away your foreign gods. Show genuine commitment.
The people affirmed, "We will serve the Lord." However, Joshua said, "You will not be able to do so. He is a holy and jealous God. If you forsake the Lord, He will punish you." The people responded, "We will serve the Lord." Joshua said, "You are witnesses against yourselves." They said, "We are witnesses."
"The Song of Deborah and Barak" reminds us that decisiveness requires trust and demands prompt action (Judg. 5). What was the secret to this great success?
Each Must Do His Part: The leaders led; the people volunteered; the Lord is to be blessed because He alone gives the victory (v. 2)!
Praise and Power: For all this, Deborah said, "I will sing praise to the Lord, the God of Israel" (v. 3). When the Lord marches forth, the earth and mountains quake, the clouds and the heavens drip water (vv. 4-5).
The Effects of Apostasy: During the days of oppression, highways were deserted, and travelers went by roundabout ways (v. 6). The peasantry ceased until Deborah arose as a mother in Israel (v. 7). Israel fell into idolatry: new gods were chosen. As a result, war was in the gate; no shield or spear was seen among 40,000 in Israel (v. 8).
Gratitude and Thanksgiving: Deborah said, "My heart goes out to the commanders of Israel, the volunteers among the people; Bless the Lord!" (v. 9). Let the wealthy and the wayfarers sing! Let those who divide the flocks at the watering places recount the righteous deeds of the Lord and remember what He has done for Israel (vv. 10-11).
A Call to Action: Awake, awake, Deborah; Awake, awake, sing a song! Arise, Barak, and take away your captives, O son of Abinoam (v. 12).
Fearless Volunteers: Survivors from the twenty years of severe oppression came to the nobles. According to Deborah, the people of the Lord came down to me as warriors. The tribes of Ephraim and Benjamin rallied. Commanders came down from Machir, along with those who wield the staff of office from Zebulun. The princes of Issachar were with Deborah; as was Issachar, so was Barak.
Fainthearted Deserters: Why did Reuben sit among the sheepfolds, to hear the piping for the flocks? Gilead remained across the Jordan. Why did Dan stay in ships? Asher sat at the seashore and remained by its landings.
Heroic Valor: Zebulun was a people who despised their lives even to death, And Naphtali also, on the high places of the field (v. 18).
An Assembled Enemy: The kings came and fought; then fought the kings of Canaan at Taanach near the waters of Megiddo; they took no plunder in silver (v. 19), despite the beating of horses' hoofs and the dashing of his valiant steeds (v. 22).
Divine Victory: The stars fought from heaven, from their courses they fought against Sisera. The torrent of Kishon swept them away, the ancient torrent, the torrent Kishon. O my soul, march on with strength (vv. 20-21).
Divine Judgment: "Curse Meroz," said the angel of the Lord, "Utterly curse its inhabitants; because they did not come to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the warriors" (v. 23).
Divine Pronouncement and Peace: The song of Deborah concludes: "Thus let all Your enemies perish, O Lord; but let those who love Him be like the rising of the sun in its might." And the land was undisturbed for forty years (v. 31).
Decisiveness requires pressing forward, despite difficulties and obstacles (John 12:1-29). Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany (vv. 1-2). The next day, He entered Jerusalem (vv. 12-15). Some Greeks who were going up to worship at the feast said to Philip, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus" (vv. 20-21). When this was reported to Jesus, He responded in the following manner:
The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit... Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name (vv. 23-28a).
At that juncture, a voice came out of heaven: "I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again" (v. 28b). When the crowd heard it, some thought that it had thundered; others said, "An angel has spoken to Him" (v. 29). However, Jesus answered, "This voice has not come for My sake, but for your sakes. Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself." He said this, indicating the kind of death by which He was to die (vv. 30-33)
Decisiveness requires single-minded purpose and passionate preoccupation (Phil. 3:12-16). Paul said, "Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus" (v. 12).
The apostle maintained singular focus: Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead (v. 13). Finally, he was also goal-oriented: I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (v. 14). Furthermore, he urges us to join the team: Let us, therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude (v. 15-16)!
American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth ed. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Co., 2016.
DeVries, Simon J. Word Biblical Commentary: 1 Kings, Vol. 12. Second ed. Dallas: Word, Inc, 2003.
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Author Bio: Mark and Sherelyn have labored with the Adoue Street church of Christ in Alvin, TX since 1998, where he serves as the evangelist and an elder. The church website is ascoc.org. His Bible study website is markmayberry.net. He can be reached at mark@truthpublications.com.
