Tuesday - Judges 4 - Deborah (part 1)

After Ehud and Shamgar were dead, the nation of Israel again went astray. No surprise really, any group of people without leadership... without good leadership, is apt to go the wrong direction. This time God used Jabin, king of Canaan and his military captain (Sisera) to oppress the Jews. For 20 years those Gentiles ruled over Israel. During that time God used a woman named Deborah to point His people back in the right direction. She was therefore both a judge and a prophetess.

Now, Deborah was no feminist. She recognized her limitations. And, she was sensitive to God's leading. So, she invited a man named Barak to take the role as military leader in Israel. She wasn't jealous of her power and influence... nor was she deluded enough to desire the position for herself. As a mouthpiece for God she encouraged Barak with both instructions and assurances concerning God's plan for him. Most importantly, she told him that when he went to battle, he would win (Judges 4:7). Sadly, Barak had a wimpy side (Judges 4:8). At least, that is how Deborah interpreted his request for her to go with him to the battlefront (Judges 4:9). But, despite her disdain for his weakness of heart, she complied and went with him.

God completely delivered the army of Sisera into Barak's hand, but He did not give him Sisera. He allowed Sisera to be killed at the hands of a woman named Jael.  With a tent stake, she nailed his head to the ground inside her tent while he was hiding from Barak and sleeping off his battle fatigue. More battles followed that first one. The details aren't recorded in the Scriptures, but the fact that Israel threw of the yoke of Jabin is verified for us.