Biblical Prophets
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Page Two
Barak the Commander
Israel Cries Out To The Lord
After Sisera and his mighty army arrived at the Kishon River. Deborah turns and tells Barak that the Lord had went ahead of him and that today is the day that Sisera will be delivered into his hands.
(Bible Study Online Article Covers: Judges 4:6-23)
The Scriptures have taken us to a time when the Israelites were crying out to God, hoping He would deliver them from the hands of king Jabin and his iron chariots of Canaan. It was never meant for Israel to be ruled over, and the reason why they were going through a season of suffering was because they had turned their backs on the one true God.
Now we find Israel crying out in a spirit of repentance and humility, and God answers by sending them Deborah, who would serve them as both judge and prophet.
Deborah, being a woman, we must understand that armies weren't respected or feared if they were led out in combat by a woman.
But Deborah, being the wise woman and judge that she was, commissioned a known soldier, Barak, the son of Abinoam of Kedesh in Naphtali, to lead her army.
I'm led to believe that Barak was already having rebel-type encounters with the army of Jabin, and although this was on a much smaller scale, he was still able to make a reputation for himself within the land of his countrymen.
Now, he was being called up by Deborah, who had favor, a strong relationship with God, and authority within the land.
She needed his courage and leadership services when it came to leading an army against the king Jabin and his army of nine hundred iron chariots of Canaan.
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I Need God By My Side?
Deborah tells Barak that the Lord commands that he raise an army of ten thousand men from Naphtali and Zebulun and take them out to Mount Tabor. During this time, she warns Barak that he will be going against Sisera, a highly celebrated war general, so he must prepare himself.
This would lead to Barak showing some wisdom himself. He tells Deborah that he will not go out and fight Sisera unless she goes with him. Deborah agrees to his conditions and accompanies Barak to battle.
But she warns Barak that if she goes to battle with him, the honor will not be given to him. She also tells him that General Sisera's downfall will be handed over to a woman.
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No Honor -- No Problem
Barak could see that Deborah had favor in God's eyes. He knew that he would rather have God on his side than try to secure the honor of victory all on his own. Barak understood that he might not have a victory against Sisera and the Jabin army of nine hundred iron chariots if God wasn't on his side in the first place.
So Barak, following God's orders, went out and gathered up the ten thousand men. He then headed towards Mount Tabor with Deborah by his side. They climbed up on Mount Tabor and then waited on the Lord.
When Sisera heard that Deborah and Barak had assembled an army at Mount Tabor, he gathered his army of nine hundred iron chariots and headed towards the Kishon River, which was located in the valley at the bottom of Mount Tabor.
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No Match Against God
The Hail Storm Factor?
After Sisera and his mighty army arrive at the Kishon River, Deborah turns and tells Barak that the Lord has gone ahead of him and that today is the day that will mark Sisera's downfall.
So Barak led his ten thousand men down Mount Tabor and routed Sisera and his iron chariots like Deborah had prophesied.
Understand that the renowned Jewish historian Josephus states that at this time, right before Barak engaged Sisera, a mighty hail storm was taking place. It was this mighty hail storm that caused Sisera, his men, and the horses to be terrified and confused.
This also caused the Sisera army to be pushed back on muddied ground, which placed their nine hundred iron chariots at a great disadvantage against men on foot.
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RETREAT!
When Sisera saw defeat was upon him, he left his iron chariot and fled on foot. Barak saw this and decided to pursue him and the rest of his men back to Harosheth Haggoyim -- where Barak and his men defeated the rest of Jabin's army.
After reading this, some might ask: "Why would Sisera flee on foot? Wouldn't the chariot be much faster and stronger against the Israelites, who were on foot?"
Understand that the heavy hail storm made the ground unfit for travel for a heavy iron chariot. Remember that they were in a valley, far from any main roads.
The Jabin's army strength and intimidation factor came from their nine hundred iron chariots, which were now rendered useless by the hail storm and the unstable muddied ground it caused.
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Jael
The Surprise Assassin?
But Sisera was able to escape and fled to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite. Understand that the Jabin king of Hazor had good relations with the Kenite clan. So when Jael saw Sisera outside her tent, she came out and invited him in, and he went in because of their relationship between the two camps.
Once inside, Sisera had asked that she would not tell anybody who came asking if he was there. He had also stated that he was thirsty, so Jael covered him and gave him some milk to drink.
When he fell asleep, Jael went and killed him by driving a long nail through his temple into the ground. It is also rumored that she had beheaded him as well (depending on what Bible translation you are reading).
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Jael
What Made Her Do It?
This may seem like odd behavior from Jael, as the Kenite Clan had good relations with the Jabin king of Hazor. So, one might ask, "Why did she kill Sisera?"
Unfortunately, we really don't know why, but we believe that the Lord might have put it in her heart. Before this happened, she made sure that he was at peace of mind and made Sisera feel very comfortable so that he could fall asleep.
Biblical Prophets - Bible Study Online
Barak Gets His Man
Well Sort Of?
When Barak was coming by in pursuit, she came out and got his attention and told him that she would show him the man he was looking for. So he went with her and saw that a woman had killed Sisera just like Deborah had foretold. So, on that day, God subdued Jabin, the Canaanite king.
The Israelites were delivered out of Jabin's hands, and they grew stronger by the day. Because of this, they would grow strong enough to push back and eventually annihilate the Canaanite king. Thus began their forty years of peace.
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