SS Lesson October 8th, 2006 Judges 4(4-10), (12-16)
Deborah (from Easton’s Bible Dictionary)
A prophetess, "wife" (woman?) of Lapidoth. Jabin, the king of Hazor, had for twenty years held Israel in degrading subjection. The spirit of patriotism seemed crushed out of the nation. In this emergency Deborah roused the people from their lethargy. Her fame spread far and wide. She became a "mother in Israel" ( Judges 4:6,14; 5:7), and "the children of Israel came up to her for judgment" as she sat in her tent under the palm tree "between Ramah and Bethel." Preparations were everywhere made by her direction for the great effort to throw off the yoke of bondage. She summoned Barak from Kadesh to take the command of 10,000 men of Zebulun and Naphtali, and lead them to Mount Tabor on the plain of Esdraelon at its north-east end. With his aid she organized this army. She gave the signal for attack, and the Hebrew host rushed down impetuously upon the army of Jabin, which was commanded by Sisera, and gained a great and decisive victory. The Canaanitish army almost wholly perished. That was a great and ever-memorable day in Israel. In Judg. 5 is given the grand triumphal ode, the "song of Deborah," which she wrote in grateful commemoration of that great deliverance. (See LAPIDOTH, JABIN [2].)
Jabin (from Easton’s Bible Dictionary)
King of Hazor, called "the king of Canaan," who overpowered the Israelites of the north one hundred and sixty years after Joshua's death, and for twenty years held them in painful subjection. The whole population were paralyzed with fear, and gave way to hopeless despondency ( Judges 5:6-11), till Deborah and Barak aroused the national spirit, and gathering together ten thousand men, gained a great and decisive victory over Jabin in the plain of Esdraelon ( Judges 4:10-16; Compare Psalms 83:9). This was the first great victory Israel had gained since the days of Joshua. They never needed to fight another battle with the Canaanites ( Judges 5:31).
Judges 4:4 And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time. 4:5 And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.
Deborah the prophetess
Some have problems with a woman being called a prophetess and judge. They try to suggest that she was less than a prophet and not a true judge in Israel, but these opinions spring forth more from their problems with women leaders than the evidence of Scripture. I want everyone to understand that I think God calls men into the work of being a Pastor and administering churches in preference over women. One of the qualifications for a bishop in the New Testament is that the person be a “husband of one wife.” It is impossible for a woman to meet that requirement. I also want you to understand that God in the New Testament prohibited women from “usurping” authority over the man in the church. I also want to point out that Deborah is not the only woman in the Scripture spoken of as a prophetess as Huldah and Miriam are both described as prophetesses also. Why did God choose these women for these exalted positions? First, there was a need. The men of Israel in our lesson were not being what God had called them to be. They were a people in subjection to their enemies. There were fearful and weak in faith. No man stepped up to the plate and became a deliverer for Israel. This woman was no doubt a Godly and faithful person. She was exactly what God needed to inspire His people to throw off the yoke of the enemy. God can use who He wills to do what He wills. For all of those who try to wiggle out of this by trying to say she was not really a prophet or judge; you are wrong. The word “prophetess” is the feminine form of the word prophet, which is the same word used to describe Elijah and others. Those whao say she was not a judge are wrong; the Scripture assures us she was. Verse four says she judged Israel. Verse 5 tells us where she did it and confirms that the people came to her for judgment; in other words, they ask her to wisely settle their disputes.
4:6 And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?
Barak
(from Easton’s Bible Dictionary)
”lightning,” the son of
Abinoam (
Judges 4:6).
At the summons of Deborah he made war against Jabin.
She accompanied him into the battle, and gave the signal for the little army
to make the attack; in which the host of Jabin was
completely routed. The battle was fought (
Judges 4:16)
in the plain of Jezreel (q.v.). This deliverance
of Israel is commemorated in Judg. 5.
Barak's faith is commended (
Hebrews 11:32).
"The character of Barak, though pious, does not
seem to have been heroic. Like Gideon, and in a sense Samson, he is an
illustration of the words in
Hebrews 11:34,
'Out of weakness were made strong.'" (See
DEBORAH .)
Hath not the Lord commanded
It appears God had announced His plan for deliverance to Deborah, and I believe, also unto Barak. When she said “hath not the Lord God of Israel commanded” I think Barak knew what she was speaking about. I believe God was also already working with Barak, confirming the command. Barak is a military leader, but he appears not to have the faith and confidence to initiate God’s plans. His name means “lightning” but I don’t think that describes him very well. Timid might be a better description. He needs inspiration and a challenge from this Godly woman.
4:7 And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand.
God doing His part
God knew the time was right. He had already picked out the place. He knew the method He would use to win the battle. The only thing He needs for His people to throw off the yoke of oppression is someone to trust Him and obey. God wants someone to be a leader. He is looking for someone to fight and win the battle. He is still looking for such folks today, by the way. Is He calling you for some work in the Kingdom? Remember, those He calls, He qualifies. He will help you and guide you. He just needs you to have enough faith and to be obedient. Victory is available!
4:8 And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go. 4:9 And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.
Timid
Barak demonstrates his timidity by refusing to go to the battle unless Deborah would accompany him. He should’ve trusted God and went to fight the enemies of Jehovah, but fear turned him into a wimp. Because of his unbelief God would not allow him to get any “honour” for killing the enemy leader. That glory would go to a woman, not Deborah, but another woman who would do the work of God in a terrible, efficient, and cunning way. That part is not in our lesson, but I want to include it so you can see this prophesy fulfilled. Judges 4:17-22: Howbeit 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. 4:18 And Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said unto him, Turn in, my lord, turn in to me; fear not. And when he had turned in unto her into the tent, she covered him with a mantle. 4:19 And he said unto her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water to drink; for I am thirsty. And she opened a bottle of milk, and gave him drink, and covered him. 4:20 Again he said unto her, Stand in the door of the tent, and it shall be, when any man doth come and inquire of thee, and say, Is there any man here? that thou shalt say, No. 4:21 Then Jael Heber's wife took a nail of the tent, and took an hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground: for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died. 4:22 And, behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said unto him, Come, and I will show thee the man whom thou seekest. And when he came into her tent, behold, Sisera lay dead, and the nail was in his temples.” This lady hammered a tent spike through the temple of Sisera as he lay sleeping. Ouch! She don’t fool around, does she!
4:10 And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh; and he went up with ten thousand men at his feet: and Deborah went up with him. 12 And they showed Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam was gone up to mount Tabor. 13 And Sisera gathered together all his chariots, even nine hundred chariots of iron, and all the people that were with him, from Harosheth of the Gentiles unto the river of Kishon. 14 And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this is the day in which the LORD hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the LORD gone out before thee? So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him.15 And the LORD discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his host, with the edge of the sword before Barak; so that Sisera lighted down off his chariot, and fled away on his feet.16 But Barak pursued after the chariots, and after the host, unto Harosheth of the Gentiles: and all the host of Sisera fell upon the edge of the sword; and there was not a man left.
Victory
When Deborah was able to convince Barak to fight the battle God had called them to, they received the victory. Notice what won the battle! It wasn’t their brilliant strategy that won it for them, but the “Lord discomfited Sisera and all his chariots.” If we look at the next chapter which is Deborah’s song of victory we see how He did it. Judges 5:4-5
“LORD, when thou wentest out of Seir, when thou marchedst out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped, the clouds also dropped water. 5:5 The mountains melted from before the LORD, even that Sinai from before the LORD God of Israel.” God used a terrible rain storm which caused mud slides to come rushing down the mountain which ensnarled the heavy chariots of Sisera. In this mire, they were easy prey for the Israelites. God picked the place, the battle plan, the time, and the right people. God gave them the victory. He will do the same for you. Just be obedient and trust the Lord. When it seems you have been abandoned and you feel overwhelmed, like David, go to the rock that is higher than you. Trust in the Lord God and He will see you through!
New Living Translation (recommended for commentary use only)
4 Deborah, the wife of Lappidoth, was a prophet who had become a judge in Israel. 5 She would hold court under the Palm of Deborah, which stood between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites came to her to settle their disputes. 6 One day she sent for Barak son of Abinoam, who lived in Kedesh in the land of Naphtali. She said to him, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, commands you: Assemble ten thousand warriors from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun at Mount Tabor. 7 I will lure Sisera, commander of Jabin’s army, along with his chariots and warriors, to the Kishon River. There I will give you victory over him.”8 Barak told her, “I will go, but only if you go with me!”9 “Very well,” she replied, “I will go with you. But since you have made this choice, you will receive no honor. For the Lord’s victory over Sisera will be at the hands of a woman.” So Deborah went with Barak to Kedesh. 10 At Kedesh, Barak called together the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali, and ten thousand warriors marched up with him. Deborah also marched with them. 12 When Sisera was told that Barak son of Abinoam had gone up to Mount Tabor, 13 he called for all nine hundred of his iron chariots and all of his warriors, and they marched from Harosheth-haggoyim to the Kishon River.14 Then Deborah said to Barak, “Get ready! Today the Lord will give you victory over Sisera, for the Lord is marching ahead of you.” So Barak led his ten thousand warriors down the slopes of Mount Tabor into battle. 15 When Barak attacked, the Lord threw Sisera and all his charioteers and warriors into a panic. Then Sisera leaped down from his chariot and escaped on foot. 16 Barak chased the enemy and their chariots all the way to Harosheth-haggoyim, killing all of Sisera’s warriors. Not a single one was left alive.
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PASTOR RICK BARCUS
