TEXT: JUDGES 4: 1-9
Judges portrays
Christ as Deliverer and Judge
The Book of Judges, a period marked by cyclical
oppression and deliverance in Israel’s history. The Israelites repeatedly
turned away from God, faced oppression by enemy nations, cried out for
deliverance, and were rescued by judges appointed by God.
Our text serves as a reminder to us that we may encounter
situations where we feel we have God’s support, yet we still face obstacles in
our lives that shines a light on our humanity and limitations. It’s natural to
have moments of doubt and fear when confronted with life challenges. He told
believers to call on Him in times of trouble; I will deliver you (Psalm 50:15).
Just like Judah, we might find ourselves in a situation
where no matter how hard we try, some battles seem beyond our reach. Yet,
through those moments, we are still called to faith and perseverance. We are
reminded that trusting in God means relying on Him, even when circumstances do
not favour us.
The Bible emphasizes that we are called to be used by God,
serving not just for ourselves but for a greater purpose. Deborah and Barak are a narrative of faith,
courage, and collaboration. It shows how Deborah’s wisdom and faith, combined
with Barak’s leadership, demonstrate the power of working together to achieve
God’s purpose.
Their legacy encourages us to rely on divine guidance, respect one another’s gifts, and step boldly into the roles we are called to play. I want to share three takeaways in this message; (1) The importance of collaboration, (2) Have faith in God’s plan, and (3) God’s unwavering presence.
Judges chapter 4 opens with refrain: Vs 1: "Again the Israelites did
evil in the sight of the LORD.” The book
cycles through sin, servitude, supplication, and silence. When
Ehud was dead (or after Ehud died), the children of Israel again did evil in
the sight of the LORD.
This moment marks a significant transition in the written
account. Ehud was the third judge God appointed to rescue the Israelites from
their foreign enemy. He brought 80 years of peace to Israel after personally assassinating
Eglon, the King of Moab.
Once Ehud was dead, the Israelites again did evil in the
sight of the LORD. This meant the end of a period of peace and the beginning of
a new period of disobedience and oppression for Israel.
Judges 4:2, So the LORD sold them (Israel) into the hand of
Jabin, king of Canaan.
Jabin was given divine permission for oppression for
covenant faithfulness on God’s part. See! Israel broke the stipulations: God
kept His word regarding disciplinary consequences. From Sinai onward God bound
Israel to a covenant that included explicit sanctions: “If you do not obey the
LORD your God…those who hate you shall rule over you.” (Leviticus 26:
14-17).
The challenges
that Judah faced were not isolated incidents but part of an ongoing narrative involving
a lack of faith, and the consequences of not fully trusting God. You’ve heard
that old cliché’ – “when the cat’s away, the mouse will play.”
When those judges died, Israel returned to worshipping idols,
and this vicious cycle of idolatry – bondage – deliverance repeated itself for
430 years through fifteen judges, who varied in their faithfulness to God.
Judges 4:3, the children of Israel cried out to the LORD, for
Jabin had nine hundred chariots of iron, and he cruelly oppressed them for twenty
years. The chariots were a military threat which represented the super- weapon, made
of iron or wood and was the most feared and powerful weapons of the day.
Israel was not powerful enough to defeat such an invincible
army therefore, Jabin and Sisera, commander and force of the army, had no
problem oppressing Israel. The iron chariots made them feel helpless believing they
were unable to defeat the Canaanites on their own, their technology didn’t
match this cutting-edge military power.
After twenty years of unbearable circumstances, Israel
literally, repented by crying out to the LORD for help. But when the
Israelites cried out to the LORD, He raised up judges to rescue them. Crying
out to the LORD is a reminder of the importance of repentance and reliance on
God in times of trouble. It encourages believers to turn to God in prayer,
trusting in His power to deliver and restore. How many know, God is faithful in
responding to cries of His people.
But God should be
the first place to turn when we are facing struggles or dilemmas. The
Israelites chose to go their own way and got into a mess. We often do the same trying
to control our own lives without God’s help that only lead to struggles and
confusion.
On the other hand, when we stay into daily contact with God,
we are less likely to create painful circumstances for ourselves. This is a
lesson the Israelites never fully learned. When struggles come our way God want
us to come to Him first seeking His strength and guidance.
The tribe of Judah had already decided years ago that the
Canaanites were an impossible foe. Judges 1:19 signifies the shift from total
victory under Joshua to partial obedience and lack of faith among the tribes of
Israel. Although, God was with Judah and they took possession of the hill
country, they failed to drive out the inhabitants of the plains because they
had “iron chariots.”
God’s presence is crucial for victory, but human efforts
alone are not sufficient to overcome all obstacles. Our reliance on God’s
strength and faithfulness is not optional. When Israel allowed the inhabitants
to remain in Canaan it became a source of temptation and disaster for Israel.
Thereby, setting the stage for the cycle of sin and disobedience in the Book of
Judges.
So many times, in Scripture God shows up when His people cry
out for help. He has left on record, “I will never leave you nor forsake
you.” In this case, Israel was paralyzed by fear of Sisera, who boasted 900
iron chariots. Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you” declares
the LORD. So, God raised up a Judge to rescue His people.
First – HAVE FAITH IN GOD’S PLAN
So, God rose up an unlikely judge, a woman name Deborah. An
Old Testament wife, prophet, and judge in Israel’s history after Moses. Her
prophetic ministry took place in the land of Israel. She established the prophetic
order in Israel.
The ancient Hebrew culture was deeply sexist. This society’s misogyny
continues to bleed through the biblical text even down into today. It’s obvious
that each of the sixty-six books that comprise the canon (Bible) was written by
men for men.
The role of the woman in this culture was relegated to maintaining
the household, which included, bearing, naming and raising children, managing
the family resources; preparing meals; cleaning house; applying medicinal
therapies to sick family members, and in many ways catering to the needs of the
man.
Many of the social, political and especially religious institutions
excluded women. For example, women had to perform their morning rituals
significantly farther away from Yahweh’s temple proper than the men.
In Ezekiel 8:14, women pray by the temple’s northern gate,
while men participate in the service in the temple’s inner court between the
temple’s front porch and its courtyard altar.
The Leviticus purity laws restricted women’s access to the
temple during their menses and postpartum discharges. In the biblical world,
the woman’s social value was determined by the men in her life whether it was
her father, husband, son or male relative. It was, therefore, important for
women to be married and even more so to give birth to sons (Williams). Thank
God for Jesus!
Here, Deborah has risen to the heights of leadership, the
fourth - first - only female judge in the ancient Hebrew community, which is
worthy of special attention. We all know that women face unique, extraordinary challenges
in leadership in male-dominant industries. Romans 8:31 “If God is for us,
who can be against us” meaning, Deborah had the ultimate backing of the
Almighty God, making them victorious over any adversities they may face.
Judges 4:4 says, she was a prophetess and was judging in
Israel at the time the Israelites endured Canaanites oppression under the rule
of Jabin. During this period, she executed her role as “judge”. The term
“judge” doesn’t mean someone who sits in a court and decides legal issues; the
Hebrew word “shaphat” means more the idea of heroic leader.
The Hebrew word “Shophetim” is derived from a word
meaning - to put right, and so to rule, and this is exactly what these judges
did (Morgan). These national deliverers were not elected, and they didn’t come
to leadership through royal succession. They were specially gifted by God for
leadership in their times and the people of God recognized and respected that
gifting.
The Israelites had great obstacles. They were surrounded by
people who lived in the most terrible immorality and idolatry, making a
constant temptation to the same sins. Thy were focused mainly on three things:
money, sex, and having a relationship with God on “my” terms instead of “God’s”
terms.
So, the book of Judges shows a time of sometimes confusing,
difficult, and dark times after the death of Joshua. There was no standing office
of national leadership, had no king, no president, and no prime minister on earth.
– only God. Yet at the necessary and appropriate times God brought forth a
leader for the nation and these leaders would rise and do His /her job as
assigned and evaporate when done. This required the people to maintain a real
abiding trust and faith in God.
Hebrews 11:6 Without faith it is impossible to please God.
It’s a fundamental, essential requirement to have a relationship with HIM.
Psalm 20:7 Some
trust in chariots, and some in horses (all forms human/self -reliance), but
we will remember the name of the LORD our God. Our security is in God’s
name rather than our own strength, wealth, and intellect.
Judges 4:5: Deborah was awakened to the call of God in her life. She
executed her role as judge by holding court. Her courtroom was located under
the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah in the mountain of Ephraim.
She chose to seat herself under a date palm tree when her
nation was busy in the chaotic worship of idols - she sat.
With the strong arm of Canaanite oppression destroying her
people - she sat.
As people came to her, crying in their pain - she sat - joining
her people as they “cried out to the LORD for help” (Judges 4:3).
She was neither complacent nor indifferent. She rested in the
security of her calling, anointing, and gifts. Deborah knew her place and knew her
God.
She sat between Ramah, meaning “hill or height” and Bethel
meaning “house of God”:
It would have been easy for her to push toward Ramah for
status, promotion, and position. She did not!
It would have been easy for to escape from the pressures and ugliness
of her imposing culture in Bethel, secluded in God’s presence. She would not!
She chose the place between self-promotion and self-protection.
She was a remarkable woman, a rarity in her time. Unlike other judges who sat
at the city gate, or held circuit court from city to city, Deborah was among
her people. To this remote location they came, day after day, morning until
evening, she was accessible to all. The Mother of Israel was always on duty.
Bethel was in the hill country of Ephraim. Ephraim means “double
fruitfulness.” As we align ourselves with God’s purpose and direction,
there will be double fruitfulness. The palm tree is beyond a doubt fruitful. It
begins producing at 6-8 years and bears abundant clusters of fruit until well
over a hundred.
Look at it! Double is the smallest dimension of blessing available
to us. Though double is good, a hundredfold is possible – those who hear and
understand God’s word can produce a harvest yielding a hundred, sixty, or
thirty times what was planted (Matthew 13:23).
Deborah knew who she was and what she was called to. Here she
stayed unwavering. May we come to the place where we can see clearly God’s plan
and position for our lives and be willing to stay in His choosing…as a
homemaker or a doctor…as a janitor or a garbage collector…or teacher or a
lawyer…no matter the profession.
Don’t move from God’s position: Excel where you are. Remain
faithful to the task in front of you. Increase comes from staying on the
course.
While she sat, under the palm tree of Deborah, interceding
for her people, seeking their freedom. There was no shortage of wisdom and
justice. Beneath the straight and upright palm, Deborah prove herself true to
God and compassionate to the needs of others. As she sat under the palm, she declared
peace and victory over her distraught nation. Deborah was judging Israel when
she received prophetic revelation for Barak to fight the Canaanites.
THE IMPORTANCE OF COLLABORATION
It ‘s amazing, Israel already had a judge in place, yet they
cried out to the LORD for help because of the Canaanite oppression. Maybe the
expectation of her judgeship was restricted to providing spiritual leadership,
educational leadership, presiding over court cases, but when it came to
providing military leadership, even as an established sitting judge to Israel
for twenty years, she was still overlooked. Before and after her reign, they
naturally gravitated to the male judges, looking to them for military leadership.
Maybe God allowed them to languish in oppression for twenty
years during Deborah’s tenure because they refused to recognize that just as
God had been with the judge of the past, HE was also with Deborah (Judges
2:18).
The fact that God elevated her to that position indicated
that she was qualified to provide military leadership. How did God answer the
Israelites prayers? By using Deborah, the judge they already had in place. Even
when women are elevated to positions of power in a male-dominated industry,
many times their capacities to carry out the full responsibilities required for
the position are still questioned. Today, America is wearing the same shoes and
walking in the pathway of the Israelites regarding women.
The Palm of Deborah was a perfect symbol of this woman’s
internal strength, divine call, anointed leadership, and powerful intercession.
Her greatest time of fruitfulness was about to explode, because she positioned
herself in humility, and excellence like the palm tree under which she sat.
The LORD spoke to her giving her the strategy to defeat the
oppressor to win their freedom. She began to put the divine plan into action
and summoned the military leader Barak to advise him of the action plan.
The partnership between Deborah and Barak speaks a profound
truth: collaboration can amplify strength and bring about success and a blend
of spiritual and military strategy. Deborah’s role was to provide vision and
divine insight, while Barak’s was to execute the plan on the ground. Their
partnership was characterized by mutual respect and trust, each playing their
part without envy or competition.
Judges 4:6: Deborah summons Barak to reveal God’s plan.
Has not the Lord God
of Israel commanded, deploy troops (Israelites), and take with you 10,000 men
from the sons of Naphtali (6th son Jacob/Bilhah known for swiftness/grace/favor
of God) and Zebulun (6th son of Jacob/Leah, known for
bravery/skill in battle) and position them at Mount Tabor.
Judges 4:7: I WILL DEPLOY SISERA, COMMANDER OF JABIN’S ARMY, WITH
HIS CHARIOTS AND HIS MULTIUDE AT THE RIVER KISHON; AND I WILL DELIVER HIM INTO
YOUR HAND.
Mount Tabor: Because of its height and strategic location in
the northeastern part of the valley of Jezreel, 10 miles from the beginning of
the Kishon River. It was ideally suited for deploying troops. From this
elevated position they could observe the movements of Sisera’s army.
River of Kishon flows through the Plain of Esdraelon and the
valley of Jezreel. Often, it floods much of the valley in rainy season. Sisera
wisely chose this area of the river because he was able to move the chariots
freely. However, the LORD sent a storm and a flood which curtailed the mobility
of the chariots and swept away the forces of Sisera and they were defeated (Judes
5:20-21). Remember the Egyptian Army at the Red Sea.
Judges 4:8: Barak agreed with the plan under the condition
that Deborah accompanies him to the battle. His hesitation to go without
Deborah showed a lack of trust in the LORD. Deborah had so much faith in God’s
plan that she gladly complied with His condition, but prophesies that Sisera
will be delivered into the hands of a woman (vs 9). This prophecy highlights
that the triumph would not be attributed to a singular hero, but rather a
collective effort, showing us that God’s plans often transcend human
expectations.
Sisera’s defeat was not only a tactical triumph but also
a dramatic unraveling of events. When he found his mighty chariot army incapacitated,
he took to the ground and fled on foot seeking refuge. His flight led him to
the tent of Jael that he viewed a safe haven. However, it was there he met his
demise as she drove the peg through his temple, killing him instantly. This act
fulfilled Deborah’s prophecy and turning point in the battle.
In conclusion:
Believers, wake up! And take your position – truly God
has need of you.
God is inspiring us to awaken from our own apathy. Hebrews
12:1 “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of
witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares
us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”
The same God who inspired Deborah, is calling you to
arise and do His will. And when God calls you to His purpose, He ‘ll give you
the unction to go forth.
Consider Philippians 2:13 “For it is God who
works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”
Go, Grow, and Glow, in the love of God.
Evangelist Brenda Hansley