Deborah the Fourth Judge
Judges 4:4 – Deborah, a woman, prophet, and wife of Lappidoth, was herself judging Israel during that time. 5 – She regularly took her seat under the Palm Tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the mountainous region of Ephraim, where the Israelis would approach her for decisions.
Verse 6 – She sent word to Abinoam’s son Barak from Kedesh-naphtali, summoning him. She asked him, “The LORD God of Israel has commanded you, hasn’t he? He told you, ‘Go out, march to Mount Tabor, and take 10,000 men with you from the tribes of Napthtali and Zebulun. 7 – I will draw out Sisera, the commanding officer of Jabin’s army, along with his chariots and troops, to the Kishon River, where I will drop him right into your hands.’”
Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar had all judged Israel and now it was Deborah’s time. The evil the Israelites were practicing had gotten worse and resulted in twenty years of fearsome oppression. The Palm Tree of Deborah had become a famous spot for Israel to receive counsel, judgments, and decisions from God through her. There was one person, however, who needed to show up to her Palm Tree for some solid advice. That person was Barak.
The thunder of Jabin’s iron chariots struck fear into Barak and all Israel. He along with the rest of his people cried out to the LORD for help and the LORD was responding but Barak was was not moving. Deborah had to summon him to confirm what he already knew. It was time for him to go and witness God dropping the most fearsome enemy into his hands.
But God’s Word through Deborah was not enough for Barak. He was not going to budge until Deborah went with him. As a result Deborah said these words to him in Judges 4:9 – I will surely go with you, but the road that you’re about to take will not lead to honor for you. The LORD will sell Sisera into the hands of a woman. Then Deborah got up and went with Barak toward Kedesh.
Barak wasn’t looking for honor. He was looking for assurance and would not budge unless the person whom he recognized as trustworthy accompanied him. That person was Deborah, Israel’s current judge. At the right time she urged him with the words “Get going! Because today’s the day when the LORD has dropped Sisera into your hands! Look! The LORD has already gone out ahead of you!” So Barak left Mount Tabor, followed by 10,000 men… – Judges 4:14.
Praise the Lord, Jesus has already gone out ahead of us. No matter what challenge you may be facing today, Jesus has already been there. If you are hearing God’s voice speaking to you in your heart and mind towards a course of action, do not delay any longer. “Get going!” We may not always have women like Deborah to accompany us, but we will always have Jesus.
Where two are gathered 