And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord, when Ehud was dead.
And the Lord sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host was Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles.
And the children of Israel cried unto the Lord: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel.
And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.
And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Beth–el in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.
And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedesh–naphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the Lord God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, 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.
And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go.
And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the Lord shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.
And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh; and he went up with ten thousand men at his feet: and Deborah went up with him.
Now Heber the Kenite, which was of the children of Hobab the father in law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent unto the plain of Zaanaim, which is by Kedesh.
And they shewed Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam was gone up to mount Tabor.
And Sisera gathered together all his chariots, even nine hundred chariots of iron, and all the people that were with him, from Harosheth of the Gentiles unto the river of Kishon.
And Deborah said unto 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? So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him.
And the Lord discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his host, with the edge of the sword before Barak; so that Sisera lighted down off his chariot, and fled away on his feet.
But Barak pursued after the chariots, and after the host, unto Harosheth of the Gentiles: and all the host of Sisera fell upon the edge of the sword; and there was not a man left.
Howbeit Sisera fled away on his feet 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.
And Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said unto him, Turn in, my lord, turn in to me; fear not. And when he had turned in unto her into the tent, she covered him with a mantle.
And he said unto her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water to drink; for I am thirsty. And she opened a bottle of milk, and gave him drink, and covered him.
Again he said unto her, Stand in the door of the tent, and it shall be, when any man doth come and enquire of thee, and say, Is there any man here? that thou shalt say, No.
Then Jael Heber’s wife took a nail of the tent, and took an hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground: for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died.
And, behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said unto him, Come, and I will shew thee the man whom thou seekest. And when he came into her tent, behold, Sisera lay dead, and the nail was in his temples.
So God subdued on that day Jabin the king of Canaan before the children of Israel.
And the hand of the children of Israel prospered, and prevailed against Jabin the king of Canaan, until they had destroyed Jabin king of Canaan.
Judges 4 tells a powerful story of God's faithfulness to a backsliding Israel, highlighting themes of leadership, obedience, and the surprising ways God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things. This chapter, nestled between the accounts of Ehud and Gideon, serves as a crucial reminder that even in times of deep spiritual darkness, God remains sovereign and actively involved in the lives of His people. The chapter also sets the stage for the poetic retelling of these events in Judges 5, offering a richer understanding of the historical and spiritual significance of this period. So let's dive into Judges 4, and see what we can learn.
The Cycle of Apostasy and Oppression (Judges 4:1-3)
The familiar pattern of the book of Judges reasserts itself. Following the death of Ehud, Israel once again falls into idolatry, turning away from the Lord to worship the gods of Canaan (Judges 2:16-19). As a consequence, God allows them to be oppressed by Jabin, the king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor, a significant city in the northern part of the Promised Land. Jabin's military commander, Sisera, resided in Harosheth-hagoyim and possessed a formidable force of 900 iron chariots – a technological advantage that instilled fear and dread in the Israelites. For twenty long years, the Israelites endured harsh oppression under Jabin and Sisera's rule, finally prompting them to cry out to the Lord for help (Judges 4:3). This cry for deliverance marks the turning point, signaling God's intervention.
Deborah: Prophetess and Judge (Judges 4:4-5)
In response to Israel's plea, God raises up Deborah, a remarkable woman who serves as both a prophetess and a judge. She resided in the hill country of Ephraim, where people came to her for judgment and guidance. As a prophetess, she communicated God's will and direction to the people, offering insight into how they should respond to their circumstances in accordance with God's Word. Deborah's role as a judge suggests she was a respected leader in the civil arena, settling disputes and making decisions for the people. Interestingly, God would speak through Deborah to call a man to lead the coming military battle.
The Call of Barak (Judges 4:6-7)
Through Deborah, God commands Barak, a man from Kedesh in Naphtali (a Levitical city, possibly indicating Barak was a Levite), to gather ten thousand men from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead them to Mount Tabor. God promises to draw Sisera and his chariots to the Kishon River and deliver them into Barak's hands. The phrase "ten thousand" in ancient literature often symbolized a vast, uncountable number, emphasizing the magnitude of the task and the potential victory. God sovereignly works to accomplish his purposes, but he expects our participation in the spiritual battles we face. Too often believers are waiting for God to act, when he is actually waiting for us to step up.
Barak's Hesitation and Deborah's Prophecy (Judges 4:8-9)
Barak's response reveals a lack of faith and hesitancy. He agrees to go only if Deborah accompanies him, indicating a reliance on her presence rather than complete trust in God's promise. Deborah agrees to go but prophesies that the honor of defeating Sisera will not be Barak's, but will instead fall to a woman. This prophecy underscores the consequences of failing to fully embrace God's call and the unexpected ways God can bring about His purposes. If God can’t find the right man to take care of a task, he will find a good woman. Many women have had to act because the men who should have been leading the way chose passivity.
Gathering the Troops (Judges 4:10-11)
Despite Barak's hesitation, he and Deborah gather ten thousand men and ascend Mount Tabor, preparing for battle. The narrative then introduces Heber the Kenite, a descendant of Moses' father-in-law. The Kenites generally maintained peaceful relations with Israel, but Heber had aligned himself with Jabin, a detail that becomes crucial later in the story.
The Battle at the Kishon River (Judges 4:12-16)
When Sisera learns of Barak's army, he gathers his 900 iron chariots and marches toward Mount Tabor. Deborah, acting on divine instruction, commands Barak to advance, declaring, "Go! This is the day the LORD has handed Sisera over to you" (Judges 4:14). As Barak and his men descend from the mountain, the Lord throws Sisera and his army into a panic. The Kishon River, possibly swollen by a sudden downpour (as suggested in Judges 5:21), becomes a deadly trap for the Canaanite chariots. The Israelite army utterly defeats Sisera's forces, and all the Canaanite soldiers are killed. God guaranteed the victory, but Barak had to respond in obedience.
Jael's Deception and Triumph (Judges 4:17-22)
Sisera, abandoning his army, flees to the tent of Heber the Kenite, seeking refuge because of Heber's peace treaty with Jabin. Heber's wife, Jael, welcomes Sisera and offers him hospitality, hiding him in her tent and covering him with a blanket. Exhausted, Sisera asks for water, but Jael gives him milk, further lulling him into a false sense of security. While Sisera sleeps, Jael takes a tent peg and a hammer and drives the peg through his temple, killing him. When Barak arrives in pursuit of Sisera, Jael reveals the slain commander, fulfilling Deborah's prophecy that a woman would receive the honor of his defeat. Jael knew that Sisera and Jabin were wicked enemies of God’s people, and she recognized that a wife is not to follow her husband into rebellion against the Lord. So when given the opportunity to fight back against the enemies of Israel, Jael took action on behalf of God.
The Defeat of Jabin (Judges 4:23-24)
With Sisera dead and his army annihilated, the power of Jabin, the king of Canaan, is broken. The Israelites continue to press their advantage, ultimately defeating and destroying Jabin. The chapter concludes with the triumphant declaration that Israel's power increased until they had destroyed Jabin, signifying a complete victory and a period of peace. From that day forward, as God and Israel worked together, the power of the Israelites continued to increase . . . until they destroyed Jabin altogether (4:24). God and man working in partnership against their common enemy is the principle behind spiritual warfare.
Judges 4 is a testament to God's unwavering faithfulness, even when His people stray. It highlights the importance of obedience, the consequences of hesitation, and the surprising ways God uses ordinary individuals, like Deborah and Jael, to accomplish extraordinary things. This chapter serves as a powerful reminder that God is always at work, even in the midst of darkness, and that He calls each of us to play a part in His redemptive plan.
And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord, when Ehud was dead.
And the Lord sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host was Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles.
And the children of Israel cried unto the Lord: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel.
And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.
And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Beth–el in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.
And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedesh–naphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the Lord God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, 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.
And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go.
And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the Lord shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.
And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh; and he went up with ten thousand men at his feet: and Deborah went up with him.
Now Heber the Kenite, which was of the children of Hobab the father in law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent unto the plain of Zaanaim, which is by Kedesh.
And they shewed Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam was gone up to mount Tabor.
And Sisera gathered together all his chariots, even nine hundred chariots of iron, and all the people that were with him, from Harosheth of the Gentiles unto the river of Kishon.
And Deborah said unto 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? So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him.
And the Lord discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his host, with the edge of the sword before Barak; so that Sisera lighted down off his chariot, and fled away on his feet.
But Barak pursued after the chariots, and after the host, unto Harosheth of the Gentiles: and all the host of Sisera fell upon the edge of the sword; and there was not a man left.
Howbeit Sisera fled away on his feet 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.
And Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said unto him, Turn in, my lord, turn in to me; fear not. And when he had turned in unto her into the tent, she covered him with a mantle.
And he said unto her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water to drink; for I am thirsty. And she opened a bottle of milk, and gave him drink, and covered him.
Again he said unto her, Stand in the door of the tent, and it shall be, when any man doth come and enquire of thee, and say, Is there any man here? that thou shalt say, No.
Then Jael Heber’s wife took a nail of the tent, and took an hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground: for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died.
And, behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said unto him, Come, and I will shew thee the man whom thou seekest. And when he came into her tent, behold, Sisera lay dead, and the nail was in his temples.
So God subdued on that day Jabin the king of Canaan before the children of Israel.
And the hand of the children of Israel prospered, and prevailed against Jabin the king of Canaan, until they had destroyed Jabin king of Canaan.
Judges 4 tells a powerful story of God's faithfulness to a backsliding Israel, highlighting themes of leadership, obedience, and the surprising ways God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things. This chapter, nestled between the accounts of Ehud and Gideon, serves as a crucial reminder that even in times of deep spiritual darkness, God remains sovereign and actively involved in the lives of His people. The chapter also sets the stage for the poetic retelling of these events in Judges 5, offering a richer understanding of the historical and spiritual significance of this period. So let's dive into Judges 4, and see what we can learn.
The Cycle of Apostasy and Oppression (Judges 4:1-3)
The familiar pattern of the book of Judges reasserts itself. Following the death of Ehud, Israel once again falls into idolatry, turning away from the Lord to worship the gods of Canaan (Judges 2:16-19). As a consequence, God allows them to be oppressed by Jabin, the king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor, a significant city in the northern part of the Promised Land. Jabin's military commander, Sisera, resided in Harosheth-hagoyim and possessed a formidable force of 900 iron chariots – a technological advantage that instilled fear and dread in the Israelites. For twenty long years, the Israelites endured harsh oppression under Jabin and Sisera's rule, finally prompting them to cry out to the Lord for help (Judges 4:3). This cry for deliverance marks the turning point, signaling God's intervention.
Deborah: Prophetess and Judge (Judges 4:4-5)
In response to Israel's plea, God raises up Deborah, a remarkable woman who serves as both a prophetess and a judge. She resided in the hill country of Ephraim, where people came to her for judgment and guidance. As a prophetess, she communicated God's will and direction to the people, offering insight into how they should respond to their circumstances in accordance with God's Word. Deborah's role as a judge suggests she was a respected leader in the civil arena, settling disputes and making decisions for the people. Interestingly, God would speak through Deborah to call a man to lead the coming military battle.
The Call of Barak (Judges 4:6-7)
Through Deborah, God commands Barak, a man from Kedesh in Naphtali (a Levitical city, possibly indicating Barak was a Levite), to gather ten thousand men from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead them to Mount Tabor. God promises to draw Sisera and his chariots to the Kishon River and deliver them into Barak's hands. The phrase "ten thousand" in ancient literature often symbolized a vast, uncountable number, emphasizing the magnitude of the task and the potential victory. God sovereignly works to accomplish his purposes, but he expects our participation in the spiritual battles we face. Too often believers are waiting for God to act, when he is actually waiting for us to step up.
Barak's Hesitation and Deborah's Prophecy (Judges 4:8-9)
Barak's response reveals a lack of faith and hesitancy. He agrees to go only if Deborah accompanies him, indicating a reliance on her presence rather than complete trust in God's promise. Deborah agrees to go but prophesies that the honor of defeating Sisera will not be Barak's, but will instead fall to a woman. This prophecy underscores the consequences of failing to fully embrace God's call and the unexpected ways God can bring about His purposes. If God can’t find the right man to take care of a task, he will find a good woman. Many women have had to act because the men who should have been leading the way chose passivity.
Gathering the Troops (Judges 4:10-11)
Despite Barak's hesitation, he and Deborah gather ten thousand men and ascend Mount Tabor, preparing for battle. The narrative then introduces Heber the Kenite, a descendant of Moses' father-in-law. The Kenites generally maintained peaceful relations with Israel, but Heber had aligned himself with Jabin, a detail that becomes crucial later in the story.
The Battle at the Kishon River (Judges 4:12-16)
When Sisera learns of Barak's army, he gathers his 900 iron chariots and marches toward Mount Tabor. Deborah, acting on divine instruction, commands Barak to advance, declaring, "Go! This is the day the LORD has handed Sisera over to you" (Judges 4:14). As Barak and his men descend from the mountain, the Lord throws Sisera and his army into a panic. The Kishon River, possibly swollen by a sudden downpour (as suggested in Judges 5:21), becomes a deadly trap for the Canaanite chariots. The Israelite army utterly defeats Sisera's forces, and all the Canaanite soldiers are killed. God guaranteed the victory, but Barak had to respond in obedience.
Jael's Deception and Triumph (Judges 4:17-22)
Sisera, abandoning his army, flees to the tent of Heber the Kenite, seeking refuge because of Heber's peace treaty with Jabin. Heber's wife, Jael, welcomes Sisera and offers him hospitality, hiding him in her tent and covering him with a blanket. Exhausted, Sisera asks for water, but Jael gives him milk, further lulling him into a false sense of security. While Sisera sleeps, Jael takes a tent peg and a hammer and drives the peg through his temple, killing him. When Barak arrives in pursuit of Sisera, Jael reveals the slain commander, fulfilling Deborah's prophecy that a woman would receive the honor of his defeat. Jael knew that Sisera and Jabin were wicked enemies of God’s people, and she recognized that a wife is not to follow her husband into rebellion against the Lord. So when given the opportunity to fight back against the enemies of Israel, Jael took action on behalf of God.
The Defeat of Jabin (Judges 4:23-24)
With Sisera dead and his army annihilated, the power of Jabin, the king of Canaan, is broken. The Israelites continue to press their advantage, ultimately defeating and destroying Jabin. The chapter concludes with the triumphant declaration that Israel's power increased until they had destroyed Jabin, signifying a complete victory and a period of peace. From that day forward, as God and Israel worked together, the power of the Israelites continued to increase . . . until they destroyed Jabin altogether (4:24). God and man working in partnership against their common enemy is the principle behind spiritual warfare.
Judges 4 is a testament to God's unwavering faithfulness, even when His people stray. It highlights the importance of obedience, the consequences of hesitation, and the surprising ways God uses ordinary individuals, like Deborah and Jael, to accomplish extraordinary things. This chapter serves as a powerful reminder that God is always at work, even in the midst of darkness, and that He calls each of us to play a part in His redemptive plan.