Judges 4
Personal Note
This weekend, I have a grandson graduating from high school and a granddaughter graduating from college. Today, my daughter completed her MA degree. Next Friday, I have the privilege of presenting the graduation address at Birmingham Theological Seminary. It almost goes without comment that I am aware of leadership potential. Working through this passage today in my quiet time was intense as I anticipate those I love stepping forward, needing to respond to God’s call on their lives. I pray they will listen, trust, and act to execute His call daily, walking in obedience, keeping God’s covenant with them.
Introduction
Reading about this cyclical historical narrative, one is eager to discover two things. First, what is the specific explanation for the tipping point at which God determines that the cup of evil is filled? Is it time for discipline? However, the Holy Spirit tells us that “the sons of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord.” And what is that evil? Judges 2:2 tells what they were not to do: “You shall make no covenant with the inhabitants of the land. You shall tear down their altars.” The narrative informs us that this is precisely what they did.
The second question is, why are the prison sentences so varied? The remainder of Chapter Two explains that discipline (judgment) will follow their disobedience, but with no indication of time frames. We are informed about the cycles of discipline durations followed by periods of freedom, which once again lead to disobedience.
So, Who Is in Charge? (1-9)
The answer is, God! In chapter four and verse two, the writer informs us that God surrenderedIsrael to the control of Jabin, the king of Canaan, and his general, Sisera. When Israel is delivered from the power of Jabin and Sisera, the writer tells us, “God subdued” them.
We would expect to read that God is in charge, but not that a woman was His agent in charge. Yet, this is precisely the case: Deborah was the judge in Israel. In effect, Deborah was the leader exercising the power of a king or prime minister. As the narrative unfolds, she also takes on the role of prophet. For all practical purposes, she is a female Elijah. She not only delivers God’s directives to Barak, but she also functions as the general in charge. Her awareness of her unique role is observed when she says to Barak, “I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh” (KJV).
Surely the question arises, “Why is there a woman leader in ancient Israel?” The answer is that any suggested reason is merely speculation. Therefore, the only answer is that God is in charge, and He chose to place the woman, Deborah, in the role of leadership. Yet, one cannot help but wonder, “Where were the men?”
How Is Israel Set Free? (10-22)
The best and most straightforward way to answer this question seems to be to use the following set of bullet points.
Barak, the reluctant warrior (8-13)
- Deborah, the general (14)
- The Lord, the Warrior (15)
- Barak follows God’s action (16)
- Jael administers a “sleeping pill” (17-20)
- Jael executes Sisera (21)
- Jael presents Barak with the dead general (22)
- God gave the victory through two women (23)
Conclusion
Then and since, the children learn this story (the historical narrative) of Deborah and Barak. They realized that Deborah was the heroin. So, what do we learn from this chapter and this narrative besides a history lesson?
- When God gives us an assignment to lead, we must stand up, trust God, and lead. Yes, there are obstacles. Yes, we should acknowledge our fears, but we must trust God, not our feelings. We should fortify ourselves by reviewing this historical account and others recorded to bolster our faith. We should remember the words of the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, then set our minds on completing God’s assignment.
- While it is not the norm in Scripture, God can and does choose to put women in charge from time to time.
- Regardless of the human in charge, it is God who is ultimately in charge, and it is God who gives the victory and sometimes does so in unlikely ways, Jael being exhibit number one.
- Learn this, that God graciously only allows His people to sink so far in sin and rebellion. He will discipline His children as the writer of Hebrews bluntly states it, “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all” (see Hebrews 12:4-11).
Implementation
Listen to God, trust God, act as He directs, and watch Him grant the victory. Enjoy the fruit of your efforts in response to God’s directives. Beware! Less freedom can lead to the cycle that becomes Israel’s pattern of cyclically failing to keep the Covenant. 1 Peter 5:6-10 (which has become my favorite go-to passage) calls for submitting to the “God with the mighty hand” and confidently trusting Him (“He may exalt you at the proper time”). Second, cast your cares (fears, anxieties, questions) upon Him (the God with the mighty hand). Here is why: He cares for you (the God with the mighty hand and daily manages the universe). This humility and trust need to be constant. “Be sober-minded” (that is, keep your thinking in line with God’s Word—commands and promises—because our thinking can quickly mislead us if not immersed in the Word). Furthermore, “be alert!” because our second enemy (our minds are the first) is the devil, looking for every opportunity, both externally through temptation and internally by hijacking our stinking thinking (not thinking God’s thoughts after Him). We must resist him. How? By continually practicing the “formula” that Pete laid out for us in this passage.