Judges 4th Chapter
After Ehud the latest savior and judge over Israel dies, the book records that they 'did evil in the sight of the Lord'. Now it will be a different king and a different set of people that will reign over them. Notice that in the first few chapters of Judges, it is always a different king and different people that conquers them. It shows the point that their enemies are many, and they are still suffering from not ridding the land of all theirs' and God's enemies like he commanded.
Jabin was able to enforce his will on the Israelites with his 900 chariots of iron. It seems odd that such a thing would hold down the Jews when they had such great victories in their history over great walled cities, and saw the entire army of Egypt swallowed up by the Red Sea. Regardless, because of their sin and sad situation, you understand that just the people needed to support 900 chariots would in itself be an army. After twenty years, the Israelites cried out enough that God hear them.
Now enters Deborah; she is not only a prophetess but also judges Israel. It seems odd that when Israel wants a king over them, they never really get a queen, but God allows a female judge. It just seems that sin is never a way to get something great from God. That is an obvious statement, but seems to be ignored by many of us in our quest to live for God. Deborah has a favorite palm tree she is known to sit under and it records all of Israel go to her for judgments. From this position she sends for Barak so that he might deliver Israel.Barak likes the news but seems to want assurances from Deborah that they will win. Wanting her presence there shows several things, namely he doubts God, doubts his messenger, and doubts himself even when God has given him the victory. I could go on and on about doubts, lack of faith, and not having enough self confidence to go out boldly for God, but I will not spend the the time here to go thoroughly over that topic. It is as simple as this, when God says go, go, and never doubt or the victory God wants you to have won't be as full as he originally intended.
For doubting, Barak's glory will go to a women, and rightfully so after her courageous effort. Barak is given direct enough instructions, and a person that should be an ally (Heber) of the Israelites gives Sisera a heads up as to what is about to happen. We should note here, that if God is in it, it doesn't matter that Satan is trying to stop your good work for God. He is always trying to do so, but when God is in charge of your life and service, he has already worked it out ahead of time.
Deborah gives the order for Barak to go out against the enemy. Even though Sisera has had advanced notice, Barak and his army have victory and start chasing the Sisera away. He seeks refuge in the tent of a woman Jael, Heber's wife ironically enough. Powerful decisive woman are all over this chapter, and don't let Satan tell you that if you are a woman, you don't have a great work to do for God, because God uses male and female for his work. From what I have read, shepherds had separate tents for men and women; so I suppose Sisera was hoping this fact would further mislead anyone pursuing him. What he didn't count on though was that this cunning Jael knew to give him milk instead of water. This wouldn't quench his thirst as good as water as anyone that has exercised or worked vigorously knows. It also would slow Sisera and his metabolism down. He is already tired, and now thinking he might have escaped, he falls asleep. Jael seizes this moment (unlike Barak earlier in the chapter) and literally nails Sisera's head to the floor of the tent.
This victory not only knocks off Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, but finally leads to the downfall of Jabin, his power over the Israelites and his reign. Barak won, but the glory we'll see in the next chapter, goes to Jael in a song and praise by Deborah.
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