Here Come the Judges Part 5: Deborah – An Exceptional Judge Judges 4:11-24

Judges 4 is a two act play based on a true story.

Act One Scene Two

God is in the details Now Heber the Kenite had separated from the Kenites, the descendants of Hobab the father-in-law of Moses, and had pitched his tent as far away as the oak in Zaanannim, which is near Kedesh. (4:11)

God is in the details

Two important details:Two important details: Heber “pitched his tent” which means “he established his new home”Heber “pitched his tent” which means “he established his new home”

God is in the details Two important details:Two important details: Heber “pitched his tent” which means “he established his new home”Heber “pitched his tent” which means “he established his new home” Heber was at peace with the King Jabin.Heber was at peace with the King Jabin.

God enacts his shock and awe battle plan. When Sisera was told that Barak the son of Abinoam had gone up to Mount Tabor, Sisera called out all his chariots, 900 chariots of iron, and all the men who were with him, from Harosheth-hagoyim to the river Kishon. When Sisera was told that Barak the son of Abinoam had gone up to Mount Tabor, Sisera called out all his chariots, 900 chariots of iron, and all the men who were with him, from Harosheth-hagoyim to the river Kishon.

God enacts his shock and awe battle plan. And Deborah said to Barak, “Up! For this is the day in which the Lord has given Sisera into your hand. Does not the Lord go out before you?” So Barak went down from Mount Tabor with 10,000 men following him. And Deborah said to Barak, “Up! For this is the day in which the Lord has given Sisera into your hand. Does not the Lord go out before you?” So Barak went down from Mount Tabor with 10,000 men following him.

God enacts his shock and awe battle plan. And the Lord routed Sisera and all his chariots and all his army before Barak by the edge of the sword. And Sisera got down from his chariot and fled away on foot. And the Lord routed Sisera and all his chariots and all his army before Barak by the edge of the sword. And Sisera got down from his chariot and fled away on foot.

God enacts his shock and awe battle plan. And Barak pursued the chariots and the army to Harosheth-hagoyim, and all the army of Sisera fell by the edge of the sword; not a man was left. (4:12-16)

God enacts his shock and awe battle plan. And the Lord routed Sisera and all his chariots and all his army before Barak by the edge of the sword (4:15)

God enacts his shock and awe battle plan.

1. Israelites forces assemble near Mt. Tabor. (v.12) When Sisera was told that Barak the son of Abinoam had gone up to Mount Tabor

God enacts his shock and awe battle plan. 2. Canaanite forces, commanded by Sisera, assemble near Megiddo (v.13) Sisera called out all his chariots, 900 chariots of iron, and all the men who were with him, from Harosheth-hagoyim to the river Kishon.

God enacts his shock and awe battle plan. 3. Their will be no surprise attack.

God enacts his shock and awe battle plan. 4. Canaanites move into position to defeat the Israelites below Mt. Tabor.

God enacts his shock and awe battle plan. 5. Israelites attack on a rainy day. (v.14). And Deborah said to Barak, “Up! For this is the day in which the Lord has given Sisera into your hand. Does not the Lord go out before you?” So Barak went down from Mount Tabor with 10,000 men following him.

God enacts his shock and awe battle plan. 6. The Canaanite forces break in panic; their chariots stuck in the mud (v.15a) And the Lord routed Sisera and all his chariots and all his army before Barak by the edge of the sword.

God enacts his shock and awe battle plan.

7. Since the Kishon river blocks them from retreating south, they go west along the Kishon.7. Since the Kishon river blocks them from retreating south, they go west along the Kishon.

God enacts his shock and awe battle plan. 8. The Israelites pursue them and destroy them. (v.16) And Barak pursued the chariots and the army to Harosheth-hagoyim, and all the army of Sisera fell by the edge of the sword; not a man was left.

God enacts his shock and awe battle plan. 9. Sisera runs away to the east probably Hazor. (v.15b) And Sisera got down from his chariot and fled away on foot.

Act Two Scene One

Sisera seeks protection from an old friend But Sisera fled away on foot to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, for there was peace between Jabin the king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite (4:17)

The Canaanite commander is disarmed and put to death Sisera responds to a devious invitation. (v.18)Sisera responds to a devious invitation. (v.18) And Jael came out to meet Sisera and said to him, “Turn aside, my lord; turn aside to me; do not be afraid.” So he turned aside to her into the tent, and she covered him with a rug.

The Canaanite commander is disarmed and put to death Sisera makes two requests: His first request is for a pressing physical needHis first request is for a pressing physical need And he said to her, “Please give me a little water to drink, for I am thirsty.” So she opened a skin of milk and gave him a drink and covered him. (v.19)

The Canaanite commander is disarmed and put to death Sisera makes two requests: His second request is for self-preservation.His second request is for self-preservation. And he said to her, “Stand at the opening of the tent, and if any man comes and asks you, ‘Is anyone here?’ say, ‘No.’” (v.20)

The Canaanite commander is disarmed and put to death Sisera dies (v.21)Sisera dies (v.21) But Jael the wife of Heber took a tent peg, and took a hammer in her hand. Then she went softly to him and drove the peg into his temple until it went down into the ground while he was lying fast asleep from weariness. So he died.

Act Two Scene Two

Barak tries to find what he lost And behold, as Barak was pursuing Sisera, Jael went out to meet him and said to him, “Come, and I will show you the man whom you are seeking.” (4:22)

Barak tries to find what he lost So he went in to her tent, and there lay Sisera dead, with the tent peg in his temple. (4:22)

Barak tries to find what he lost The enemy king is subdued and destroyedThe enemy king is subdued and destroyed So on that day God subdued Jabin the king of Canaan before the people of Israel. And the hand of the people of Israel pressed harder and harder against Jabin the king of Canaan, until they destroyed Jabin king of Canaan. (4:23-24)

Bottom Line: This is a story about God who incorporates the activities of human beings into His plan for His glory and the salvation of His people.

For those not yet living Jesus-centered What you think is safe just might be deadly.What you think is safe just might be deadly.

For those not yet living Jesus-centered

For those living Jesus-centered lives Don’t dismiss insignificant events in your life – God’s work doesn’t always make the headlines.Don’t dismiss insignificant events in your life – God’s work doesn’t always make the headlines.

For those living Jesus-centered lives Everything the Bible reports is not recommended.Everything the Bible reports is not recommended.

For those living Jesus-centered lives Everything the Bible reports is not recommended.Everything the Bible reports is not recommended.

For those living Jesus-centered lives Your enemies are no match for God’s word but they might test your loyalty.Your enemies are no match for God’s word but they might test your loyalty.

For those living Jesus-centered lives Your enemies might test your loyalty.Your enemies might test your loyalty.

For those living Jesus-centered lives Live in the victory God has provided.Live in the victory God has provided.

For those living Jesus-centered lives Live in the victory God has provided.Live in the victory God has provided.