In chapter 4, Deborah, a prophet, becomes Israel’s judge. The chapter begins, “After Ehud’s death, the Israelites again did what was evil in the Lord’s sight. So the Lord handed them over to King Jabin of Hazor, a Canaanite king. The commander of his army was Sisera, who lived in Harosheth-haggoyim. Sisera, who had nine hundred iron chariots, ruthlessly oppressed the Israelites for twenty years. Then the Israelites cried out to the Lord for help.” (Judge 4:1-3)
The chapter continues, “Deborah, the wife of Lappidoth, was a prophet who had become a judge in Israel. 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. One day she sent for Barak 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. 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.”
Barak told her, “I will go, but only if you go with me!”
“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.” (Judge 4:4-9) You go girl! Deborah is like Beyonce...who runs the world???
Barak did as the Lord commanded. When Sisera heard about Barak and his army marching towards him, he gathered his warriors and all nine hundred of his iron chariots, and marched to the Kishon River. “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. 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. Barak chased the enemy and their chariots all the way to Harasheth-haggoyim, killing all of Sisera’s warriors. Not a single one was left alive.” (Judge 4:14-16)
The chapter ends with Sisera hiding in the tent of a woman named Jael, whose family was on friendly terms with King Jabin. However, Sisera fell asleep from exhaustion, and while he was sleeping, Jael drove a tent peg with a hammer through his temple. That one victory over King Jabin led to more until the Israelites destroyed him.
Lord, thank you for your Word today! Thank you for marching ahead of us and giving us victory over our enemies! We love you!
May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.
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