READ: Judges
4 & 5
Here we meet Israel’s fourth and only female judge,
Deborah. While the events of the story are as gory as is normal in Judges, Deborah
herself is a breath of fresh air within the book. She has chosen to go against
the grain of her people, who have turned to other gods and done evil before God
(4:1, 5:8); she has chosen to listen and obey the voice of the Lord. She is a
prophetess – one to whom God reveals His plans. While the other judges told
about in the book were raised up by God and occasionally given His Spirit, none
were given the title of prophet, quite possibly because none had a genuine
relationship of loving obedience to God. But Deborah was different. It is clear
from her song that she loves God. She delights in giving Him glory and she
takes joy when people rise up to God’s calling in their lives (5:2, 9).
True to the cycle, Israel’s sinful practices have
caused them 20 years of grief under the cruel authority of the Canaanites and
they are now crying out to Yahweh for deliverance. God has chosen to send
Barak, son of Abinoam, to fight and conquer the army of Jabin, King of Canaan,
and Sisera, the commander. But when Deborah calls Barak to this task, he shirks
back, saying he’ll only go if she promises to come with him. That a man would
beg a woman to accompany him into battle shows us something about Deborah and
the rapport she had among the people. In her victory song, she refers to
herself as “a mother in Israel” (5:7) – she is honoured and respected, a woman
of wise council and compassion. She doesn’t condemn Barak for his faintheartedness;
she agrees to go with him and speaks what she hears from the Lord – that
because Barak has not trusted the word of the Lord, the sweetest victory (the
defeat of the army commander, Sisera), will be taken from Barak and given to a
woman. And just how this happens is made graphically clear: Jael, an apparent
ally of Sisera, drives a tent peg through his head! Deborah’s prophecy is shown
true, and the people of Israel continue on in victory until they have destroyed
Jabin, the king of Canaan.
Deborah and Barak respond with a song of triumph,
highlighting the events of the battle and uplifting those who took part in the
victory. The song is one of praise to the Lord, and is the only thing of its
kind to be found in the book of Judges. Deborah and Barak truly give praise and
glory to God for delivering Israel. In the song, we also see that this battle
is one of the most nationally unifying events in the entire book. Barak calls
all Israel to join in the battle at Mount Tabor, and five and a half tribes respond:
Ephraim, Benjamin, Zebulun, Issachar, Naphtali and Machir (western Manasseh).
And the story extends past the battle on Mount Tabor. The Israelites are
heartened to continue on until they defeat the king himself, and they
experience 40 years of peace! This victory and unity gave the people a glimpse
of the blessings Yahweh had promised if only they would choose to obey Him and
follow His ways in wholehearted devotion.
JOURNALING
AND PRAYER
1. Barak did not fully trust God, even though God
had called him and promised him victory. God didn’t abandon Barak or take away
his calling, but he did miss out on a good victory because of his lack of trust.
God is a good Father, merciful and patient towards His children, even when they
struggle to trust Him.
a. What has helped you learn to trust God in your
life? Thank God for the mercy and patience He has shown to you as you’ve
learned to trust Him.
b. Ask God how He would like to deepen your faith
and trust in Him at this point in your life. Write down what He says to you.
2. What did you notice about Deborah as you read
the chapters in Judges? What do you admire about her life and leadership? What
might God want you to take from this for your own life?
3. Music was a large part of Israelite culture, and
in worship, their songs publically proclaimed God’s power and deliverance. Make
it a point to proclaim God’s works in the things you say today. Bless the Lord
by speaking about His hand in your life. In prayer, invite God into your
conversations today. Ask Him to help you to glorify and bless His name through
your words.
