*Judges 4:4-24
Prophetess Deborah leads Barak in a military victory over Canaanite king Sisera, but predicts a woman will get the honor.
- Leadership of Deborah:
- Deborah, a prophetess and judge in Israel, holds court under a palm tree in the hill country of Ephraim, where the Israelites come to her for judgment.
- She is described as a wise and respected leader, serving as a spiritual and judicial authority among the Israelites.
- Oppression by Jabin and Sisera:
- The Israelites have been oppressed for twenty years by Jabin, the king of Canaan, who reigns from Hazor, and his commander, Sisera.
- Sisera commands a powerful army equipped with nine hundred chariots of iron, posing a formidable threat to the Israelites.
- Deborah’s Call to Barak:
- Deborah receives a message from God instructing her to summon Barak, the son of Abinoam, from Kedesh in Naphtali.
- She delivers God’s command for Barak to gather ten thousand men from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead them to Mount Tabor.
- Barak’s Request for Deborah’s Presence:
- Barak expresses reluctance to go into battle against Sisera’s army without Deborah accompanying him, seeking her reassurance and guidance.
- Deborah agrees to go with Barak, but she prophesies that the honor of victory will not be his but will belong to a woman.
- Preparation for Battle:
- Barak musters his forces, and they march to Mount Tabor, where they await the arrival of Sisera’s army.
- Meanwhile, Sisera learns of Barak’s mobilization and gathers his troops, including his nine hundred chariots, to confront the Israelites.
- Victory by God’s Hand:
- As the two armies clash, God intervenes on behalf of the Israelites, causing confusion among Sisera’s forces and throwing them into disarray.
- Sisera flees on foot from the battlefield, seeking refuge in the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, who is at peace with Jabin.
- Jael’s Deception and Victory:
- Jael welcomes Sisera into her tent, offering him milk to drink and a place to rest, concealing her true intentions.
- While Sisera sleeps, Jael drives a tent peg through his temple, killing him instantly and fulfilling Deborah’s prophecy of victory through a woman.
- Barak’s Pursuit and Triumph:
- Barak arrives at Jael’s tent in pursuit of Sisera and discovers him dead, slain by Jael’s hand.
- The Israelites defeat Sisera’s army, and Barak’s forces gain the upper hand, routing the Canaanites completely.
- Conclusion and Song of Deborah:
- Deborah and Barak celebrate their victory over Jabin and Sisera with a song of praise and thanksgiving to God.
- The song commemorates God’s faithfulness, His intervention in battle, and the courage of those who fought for the freedom of Israel.
Judges 4:4-24 teaches us that God can use anyone to accomplish His plans. Deborah, a wise and courageous leader, trusted God and helped lead Israel to victory. Jael, an unexpected hero, also played a key role. This reminds us that no matter who we are, God can use us when we trust Him and take action. It encourages us to be brave, listen to His guidance, and step up when He calls us to make a difference.
Judges 4:4-24 (WEB)
4:4 Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, judged Israel at that time. 5 She lived under Deborah’s palm tree between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim; and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment. 6 She sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedesh Naphtali, and said to him, “Hasn’t the LORD, the God of Israel, commanded, ‘Go and lead the way to Mount Tabor, and take with you ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun? 7 I will draw to you, to the river Kishon, Sisera, the captain of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into your hand.’ ”8 Barak said to her, “If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go.”9 She said, “I will surely go with you. Nevertheless, the journey that you take won’t be for your honor; for the LORD will sell Sisera into a woman’s hand.” Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.10 Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali together to Kedesh. Ten thousand men followed him; and Deborah went up with him. 11 Now Heber the Kenite had separated himself from the Kenites, even from the children of Hobab, Moses’ brother-in-law, and had pitched his tent as far as the oak in Zaanannim, which is by Kedesh. 12 They told Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam had gone up to Mount Tabor. 13 Sisera gathered together all his chariots, even nine hundred chariots of iron, and all the people who were with him, from Harosheth of the Gentiles, to the river Kishon.14 Deborah said to Barak, “Go; for this is the day in which the LORD has delivered Sisera into your hand. Hasn’t the LORD gone out before you?” So Barak went down from Mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him. 15 The LORD confused Sisera, all his chariots, and all his army, with the edge of the sword before Barak. Sisera abandoned his chariot and fled away on his feet. 16 But Barak pursued the chariots and the army to Harosheth of the Gentiles; and all the army of Sisera fell by the edge of the sword. There was not a man left.17 However Sisera fled away on his feet to the tent of Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite; for there was peace between Jabin the king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite. 18 Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said to him, “Turn in, my lord, turn in to me; don’t be afraid.” He came in to her into the tent, and she covered him with a rug.19 He said to her, “Please give me a little water to drink; for I am thirsty.”She opened a container of milk, and gave him a drink, and covered him.20 He said to her, “Stand in the door of the tent, and if any man comes and inquires of you, and says, ‘Is there any man here?’ you shall say, ‘No.’ ”21 Then Jael, Heber’s wife, took a tent peg, and took a hammer in her hand, and went softly to him, and struck the pin into his temples, and it pierced through into the ground, for he was in a deep sleep; so he fainted and died. 22 Behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said to him, “Come, and I will show you the man whom you seek.” He came to her; and behold, Sisera lay dead, and the tent peg was in his temples. 23 So God subdued Jabin the king of Canaan before the children of Israel on that day. 24 The hand of the children of Israel prevailed more and more against Jabin the king of Canaan, until they had destroyed Jabin king of Canaan.