The expression “mother in Israel” occurs twice in the Word of God. I believe that we see some very instructive truths connected with this expression and with the incidents surrounding its use.
Deborah, the Prophetess
In the Book of Judges we see the people of God both giving up and giving in. It stands in contrast to the Book of Joshua, where we see Israel overcoming their enemies and possessing their inheritance. With the failure of the people of God as a backdrop, Deborah (she is mentioned first) and Barak’s song is a beam of sunlight in a dark day, for it is a song of victory. While it is a lengthy duet full of instruction, my intent is to notice only a few thoughts in the song, as it relates to Deborah’s identifying herself as “a mother in Israel.”
In Proverbs we read, “Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly” (Prov. 17:1212Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly. (Proverbs 17:12)). Why a she-bear? They are jealous for their young and are a vivid example of protective care. We see this character exemplified in Deborah. Three negative things marked Deborah’s day. The highways and villages were unoccupied (vss. 67), that is, there was limited fellowship among the people of God. There was war in the gates (vs. 8) — typically, conflict in administrative matters. Also, there was no shield or spear in Israel (vs. 8) —no ability to withstand or defeat the external enemy.
And why were these things so? The beginning of verse 8 seems to suggest it was because “they chose new gods.” Every generation has its gods. We could name a few unique to our day — new “gods” that have been chosen in the last twenty years or so. Sometimes we may wonder why we cannot come to a collective agreement in matters. Is it not because, in many cases, our hearts have not been true to the Lord? The moral consequence is strife in the assembly.
We might wonder why it is Barak who is mentioned in Hebrews 11, when it was really Deborah that demonstrated greater faith, but as another has remarked, “As a true mother in Israel, she would want it that way.”
The Wise Woman of Abel
of Beth-Maachah
“I am one of them that are peaceable and faithful in Israel; thou seekest to destroy a city and a mother in Israel: why wilt thou swallow up the inheritance of the Lord?” (2 Sam. 20:19).
Joab set out to destroy Abel of Beth-maachah because they were harboring Sheba, a rebel in David’s kingdom. Evidently this city was once known for wise counsel (vs. 18), but now there was a wicked person who had taken refuge within its walls. While we can understand the vigor of Joab’s assault, especially in view of Absalom’s recent rebellion, we know from other scriptures that Joab was a man who was self-centered; his service to the king was largely for his own benefit. He knew he could not be first in the kingdom, as that place was reserved for the king, but he wanted to be sure of being second to David. He dealt brutally with any rival to this place — be it potential, direct replacements such as Abner or Amasa, or an indirect threat such as Absalom, who, if his overthrow of David were successful, would likely have installed someone else in Joab’s position. Ultimately this tactic caught up with Joab when he believed Adonijah should have the kingdom instead of Solomon, at the time of David’s death. Consequently, he aligned himself with the wrong man.
We see in Joab an outward form of righteousness in dealing with evil, but without regard to the heart of David (compare 2 Sam. 18:5,14), or the importance of this particular city in Israel. Typically, the local assembly gathered to the name of the Lord Jesus is such a city. There is wisdom there; it is indeed “a mother in Israel”—a place where the saints may be preserved. Joab was willing to destroy this city to accomplish his personal objectives under the guise of “dealing with evil.” It was a wise woman in that city (who knew its history and character) who saved it, just as a poor wise man once saved a city although he was subsequently forgotten (Eccl. 9:14-1614There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it: 15Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. 16Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. (Ecclesiastes 9:14‑16)). This wise woman knew what that city meant and did not despise it, although it perhaps did not have the outward beauty it once did. She was a peaceable woman, but faithful (vs. 19). In the same way, “the wisdom that is from above” is peaceable, but “first pure” (James 3:1717But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. (James 3:17)).
In recognizing the city as “a mother in Israel,” this wise woman gave testimony that she was of that same moral quality. She was peaceable in that she preserved the city from destruction, but she was faithful in that, through her wisdom, the people dealt with Sheba and cast his head out of the city — a complete rejection of his independency and rebellion.
We are to “follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Tim. 2:22). That is, God looks for a collective testimony marked by seeking the glory of Christ — no other agendas. Righteousness is the first priority; the desire for peace should indeed be present, but recognizing that it is the result of righteousness, not an objective to be pursued at the expense of righteousness.
It is moving to hear of instances where assemblies were preserved, not because of the faithfulness of the brothers (sometimes there were none who were faithful), but because of the quiet, godly walk of sisters.
We trust that each of us will be encouraged in those things that answer to the moral character of these two “mothers in Israel,” as well as learning from their splendid example of faithfulness and love toward God and His people.
W. Brockmeier