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Deborah and Barak

Courage is found in the heart—they come from the same word. It is a choice we consciously make to face fear, danger, or difficulty with firmness. Courage comes easier when we know that powerful friends have our back. For example: The children of Israel were in a sorry state. For twenty years the northern part of Israel had been under the oppressive rule of the Cannaanite King, Jabin, and his captain, Sisera. The villages of Israel were empty. No one traveled the roads. Not a man in 40,000 wielded a sword. It was a discouraging time.

Then came a woman named Deborah. Her name meant “bee, ” but tradition calls her the “burning woman” or the “woman with a torch-like spirit”. She it was, in the absence of Priesthood, who served as the prophetess in judging Israel. She was a light unto her people.

To her came a revelation and she sent for Barak of Naphtali who came down from the north at her call. “Go, and draw toward Mount Tabor,” she said, “and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun, and I will draw unto thee, to the river Kishon, Sisera, the captain of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand.” (see Judges 4:6-7)

Barak had come obediently, but Sisera had 900 chariots of war and a multitude of trained soldiers. Laughably, he had the advantage and Barak knew it. Understandably, he was afraid and so he offered a counter proposal.

“If thou wilt go with me, then I will go, but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go.” (see Judges 4:8)

And Deborah said, “I will surely go with thee.” (see Judges 4:9)

Barak now found his courage and according to her command, returned north and summoned the kings and men of Naphtali and Zebulon—10,000 strong. They converged on a mountain about seven miles east of Nazareth called Mount Tabor. At the same time Sisera and his hosts converge in the valley below and the head of the River Kishon.

When all was in readiness, Deborah spoke to Barak, “Up; for this is the day in which the Lord hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the Lord gone out before thee.” (see Judges 4:14) Evidence suggests that a terrible storm hit the valley at the moment of Deborah’s call. Barak stormed down from the mountain and hit Sisera’s army with such sudden force that panic and pandemonium prevailed among them. They fled toward the river only to be swept away and drowned in the torrent. Those who survived were cut down by the pursuing men of Israel.

In the melee Sisera jumped from his chariot, abandoned his men, and fled on foot. Thinking he had escaped, he took shelter with a Kenite woman named Jael. Sisera would die at the hands of Jael; another story for another day. Deborah and Barak won that first battle in the valley of Megiddo, otherwise known as Armageddon.

Deborah trusted God, and Barak trusted Deborah, and by their faith found the courage to work miracles. And so it may be with us. God has our back in righteousness—what are we afraid of?

Source: Judges 4