In my soccer-loving family, one of our post-game rituals on the ride home is the conversation and commentary about the game—replaying it in our heads and celebrating a win. All of that occurs over milkshakes, of course.
In today’s Scripture passage, we get a front-row seat for a similar ritual. We first read of God’s triumph through Deborah and Barak and then delight in the post-battle song celebrating God’s victory.
When chapter 4 begins, we learn that Israel has been under King Jabin’s harsh oppression for twenty long, hard years. Deborah commissions Barak to go to battle against him and conveys a promise from the Lord that God would hand over Sisera, the commander of King Jabin’s army, to Barak (Judges 4:6–7). Even when Barak hesitated (v.8) and God determined that a woman would instead defeat Sisera, His promise of deliverance stood firm.
A guaranteed triumph waited. Let’s look at how God’s perfect battle plan came together.
First, God showed His perfect timing. After Barak and Deborah journey to Mount Tabor to prepare for battle, God directs Deborah to tell Barak the exact time to go after Sisera: “Go! This is the day….Hasn’t the LORD gone before you?” (v.14).
Then, in God’s perfect, pre-battle plan, while Barak is still making his way to the river Kishon, God begins the battle: “The LORD threw Sisera, all his charioteers, and all his army into a panic before Barak’s assault” (v.15).
As the battle transpires, God sends a perfect storm that floods the plains and disables the army’s chariots. “The skies poured rain, and the clouds poured water” (Judges 5:4); “the earth trembled,” and “the mountains melted” (vv.4,5); “the stars fought from the heavens,” and “the river Kishon swept them away” (vv.20–21).
Though the Israelites pushed the enemy back, landing Barak in the hall of faith (Hebrews 11:32–34), we find two women at either end of this victory, appointed and empowered by God. In the beginning, it’s Deborah’s God-inspired urging that spurs the battle (Judges 4:6,14) and at the end, it’s Jael who quietly ties up the battle with a tent peg (v.21).
The battle is always His (Exodus 14:14). Regardless of Barak’s military experience or Deborah’s wisdom, God is the One who gave the wisdom and expertise in the first place. He goes before us (Judges 4:14) and He turns back our enemy (Zephaniah 3:14). We can count on His deliverance, for He has raised up the horn of salvation for us all (Luke 1:68-69).
Thank you, Lord, that you are mighty to save (Zephaniah 3:17).
I read over this Chapter again this morning, and I’m puzzled…why is Barak not a “judge?” He was “commanded” by “the Lord” and rescued and delivered Israel, “I will hand him over to you.” (v. 6-7)
The battle is always His!!! Amen and Amen!!! Lord help me to remember this very important fact about You!
❤️
Obedience and disobedience…blessings and consequences. Brave women and men, seeking the Lord, following His directions, trusting His plan. Reminds me of the song Trust and Obey – the last lines are “What He says we will do; Where He sends, we will go, Never fear, only trust and obey.”
As others have mentioned, I can’t read these scriptures without thinking about current events. Praying for Israel, Ukraine, the innocent and the lost.
MERCY – So true.
RHONDA J – praying for the ladies in your jail ministry
SHARON JERSEY GIRL – amen
CEE GEE and TRACI GENDRON – yes, Judges 5:31, like the rising of the sun in its strength. We should be spreading His light to the world each day.
GRAMSIESUE – agree!
MARIA GORKUNOVA – praying for family in Israel
@ Sarah Carmona. I confess the milk/cream incident made me curious too. To make matters worse my study notes in the NIV goes into an explanation about “curdled” milk which didn’t seem to apply and made no sense to me at all.
As people keep disobeying, it becomes harder to trust in humanity, but at the same time, I become more amazed by God’s mercy and grace. Even though Israel kept turning away from Him, God kept working with them.
The reading of today reminds me of a funny meme that says, “When I say I want a biblical wife, what people think I mean: I want a wife who is passive and subservient, but what I really mean: I want a wife who is totally willing to drive a tent spike into a tyrant’s head should the opportunity arise”. What a courageous warrior Jael is. I am just so amazed that God has built up His people, and set them up at the right time, right place for a job like this. Did she know that morning when she woke up she would do such a daring task for generations to oohh and ahhh? How incredible that God would train his children to conquer. And thank you to our she’s in yesterday comments that mentioned God trained the young generations for the art of war, for we are always in a spiritual warfare translating to earthly warfare, even women need to war as well. Jael clearly identified well and discerned God’s will. There is a time to kill, a time to wage war, and a time to do the exact opposite. May we learn to discern the time. There are media protests against Israel saying they should not fight back against their enemies, how totally unacceptable this is, but look at Jael, she tricked her enemy telling him, come in and don’t be afraid, with milk and cozy blanket to lull, and bam, hammer. And the Bible calls her MOST blessed (“Most blessed of women be Jael”-Judges 5:24). God’s ways are very different than people’s ways. Jael was probably called all kinds of evil names in the news and social media report of the other side. But may God’s word trump all, over the worldview of men. May we learn from this lesson and discern, when to love the enemies, and when to grab a tent peg. Be blessed dear sisters.
MARIA GORKUNOVA – I’m sure you are concerned about your grandfather’s family in Israel. I am praying for God’s protection and safety over them.
RHONDA J. – my heart goes out to the ladies in your prison Bible study group. I’m glad you were able to share with them that God will fight their battles. I’m praying for the bullies to back off, for these ladies’ safety, and for your prison ministry to bring God’s word to women in this situation.
SHARON JERSEY GIRL – your reminder that even our enemies have mothers who love them is very timely. When I see the pictures and videos of the crying, injured children in both Israel and Gaza, I am so moved to pray for the innocents in this war. Our reading today is certainly timely. I’m praying for God’s protection and for Israel to be able to destroy Hamas without also destroying innocent civilians and children.
Praying for God’s blessings on all of you wonderful ladies. I enjoy studying with you so much.