Posts Tagged ‘deborah and barak’


Under Gods Command
Deborah and Barak

Judges 4:6-8 She (Deborah) sent for Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, “The LORD, the God of Israel, commands you; Go, take with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead the way to Mount Tabor. I will lure Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his troops to the Kishon River and give him into your hands.” Barak said to her, “If you go with me, I will go; but if you don’t go with me, I won’t go.”

Judges 4:9-10 “Very well,” Deborah said, “I will go with you. But because of the way you are going about this, the honor will not be yours, for the LORD will hand Sisera over to a woman.” So Deborah went with Barak to Kedesh, Where he summoned Zebulun and Naphtali. Ten thousand men followed him, and Deborah also went with him.

Judges 4:11 Now Heber the Kenites had left the other Kenites, the descendants of Hobab, Moses brother-in-law, and pitched his tent by the great tree in Zaanannim near Kedesh.

Very Important piece here: Heber was Jael’s husband (4:17). He was from the Kenite tribe, descendants of Moses father-in-law, and longtime allies of Israel. But for some reason, Heber decided to remain neutral in this war, maybe because Jabin’s army appeared to have the military advantage. It was probably Heber who told Sisera that the Israelites were camped near Mount Tabor. Although Heber threw in his lot with Jabin and his forces, his wife, Jael, did not.

Don’t forget that Sisera was the commander of Jabin Army, a king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor.


Under Gods Command
Deborah and Barak

Judges 4:6-8 She (Deborah) sent for Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, “The LORD, the God of Israel, commands you; Go, take with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead the way to Mount Tabor. I will lure Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his troops to the Kishon River and give him into your hands.” Barak said to her, “If you go with me, I will go; but if you don’t go with me, I won’t go.”

Judges 4:9-10 “Very well,” Deborah said, “I will go with you. But because of the way you are going about this, the honor will not be yours, for the LORD will hand Sisera over to a woman.” So Deborah went with Barak to Kedesh, Where he summoned Zebulun and Naphtali. Ten thousand men followed him, and Deborah also went with him.

How did Deborah command such respect? She was responsible for leading the people into battle, but more than that, she influenced them to live for God after the battle was over. Her personality drew people together and commanded the respect of even Barak, a military general. She was also a prophetess, whose main role was to encourage the people to obey God. Those who lead must not forget about the spiritual condition of those being led.

Lets bring it home: A true leader is concerned for persons, not just success.


Under Gods Command
Deborah and Barak

Judges 4:6-8 She (Deborah) sent for Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, “The LORD, the God of Israel, commands you; Go, take with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead the way to Mount Tabor. I will lure Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his troops to the Kishon River and give him into your hands.” Barak said to her, “If you go with me, I will go; but if you don’t go with me, I won’t go.”

Was Barak cowardly or just in need of support? We don’t know Barak’s character, but we see the character of a great leader in Deborah, who took charge as God directed. Deborah told Barak that God would be with him in battle, but that was not enough for Barak. He wanted Deborah to go with him. Barak’s request shows that at heart he trusted human strength more than God’s promise. A person of real faith steps out at God’s command, even if he or she must do so alone.