Judges Chapter 4
There are various points in the Bible where we see that God worked through the faith of women. One particular woman, who knew God intimately, her faith was evident to others around her. She was known as a prophetess meaning she declared the truths of God. Her name was Deborah. At a time when the people had forsaken God, they needed a strong spiritual leader and so God called Deborah to be a shaphat which was a judge that was a heroic leader for Israel.
Because of Israel’s disobedience to God, they had been oppressed by King Jabin of the Canaanites which God had allowed to bring testing on the people. The people had been under his oppression for a very long time before they cried out to God for help. It was Deborah who proclaimed that God would give them victory over King Jabin and his military general Sisera. She appealed to Barak to lead an Israelite army against King Jabin. She declared that God would give them victory.
Let's Reflect
1. Deborah was married. What was her husband’s name? Did you notice that the only thing that is written about him is his name?
2. According to verse 6 from what two tribes of Israel would Barak be instructed to gather 10,000 men to take on the Canaanite army of Sisera?
3. Barak was willing to take up the leadership of the army but only on one condition. What was that one condition?
4. Deborah told Barak that he would have victory over the Canaanites because God had said they would have victory, but she also told him that he would not receive the glory for taking out Sisera, the general of their army. Who did Deborah say would receive the glory?
5. Verse 13 suggests Sisera should have won the battle. Why?
6. It was Deborah who told Barak, leader of the Israelite army when to charge. It would have made more sense to fight up in the hills, but she instructed him to go down to the open fields and charge the chariots. What truth did she pronounce about the help they would have in battle?
7. The strength of the army of Israel was so great that day because the Bible says that God routed the Canaanites. We don’t have an explanation here of what God did, but something miraculous happened because this strong army with their chariots became fearful of Israel. Even their own general, Sisera fled away on foot. What happened to Sisera?
8. According to verse 16 and verse 23 what happened to King Jabin and his army?
9. Who is on your side when you are going through a difficult circumstance?
