Judges 4

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Deborah and Barak Defeat the Canaanites

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. Satan raises up Jabins and Siseras to defeat God's people.

  2. God raises up Deborahs and Jaels to help His people

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. When we do our part, God does His part.

QUESTIONS

  1. Outline the third sin cycle in the Book of Judges, as found in this section. Review the five stages in Lesson 3.

  2. Who was Deborah? Who was Barak?

  3. Who was Sisera? How was he killed?

  4. Who was Jabin? What is the significance of the historical picture here?

  5. What is the spiritual picture represented by Jabin and Sisera?

ANSWERS

  1. a. Sin/Rebellion - After Ehud died, the children of Israel once again did evil in the sight of the Lord (v.1)

    b. Servitude/Retribution - The Lord allowed the Canaanites to oppress His people with military might for twenty years, under the rule of King Jabin (vs.2-3)

    c. Supplication/Repentance - Israel cried out to the Lord (v.3)

    d. Salvation/Restoration - The Lord raised up Deborah and Barak to restore Israel (vs.4-9)

    e. Silence/Rest - Israel had rest for forty years (5:31).

  2. Deborah was a woman of God, a judge, a mother in Israel, and a prophetess to whom the Lord revealed the defeat of the Canaanites. Barak was the commander of the army of Israel.

  3. Sisera was the commanding general of the Canaanite army. When his army fell, he fled on foot to the tent of Jael, who drove a tent peg into his temple (4:15-21).

  4. Jabin was the Canaanite king who reigned in Hazor, a stronghold in the north of Israel. This is the same Hazor which was conquered under Joshua (Joshua 11:10-11), more than 100 years before this time.

  5. Jabin and Sisera were Canaanites, enemies of Israel. Hazor was the same area conquered earlier. This illustrates that enemies who have been defeated can rise again. Christians who have experienced victory over certain sins find that these sins may come back more than once.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Satan seeks to keep God’s people defeated, even in the land of blessing. Have you overcome certain sins, only to see them return—like doubt, bitterness, anger, pride, jealousy, or sexual sin? As Christians, we must always put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-17), for Satan will constantly raise up his forces to try to defeat us.

  2. When Israel cried out to the Lord, Deborah was there. Jael was not an Israelite, but she was used of God to help His people. Just as God raised up Deborah and Jael, He can use others today. You may have been helped by a “Deborah” or “Jael,” or perhaps God is calling you to be one to help others.

CHALLENGE

  1. Deborah and Barak planned and prepared for battle, and God brought victory. Are you using the talents and gifts that God has given to you to the best of your ability? When we do our part, God does His part.

KEY VERSES

  • "Deborah said to Barak, 'Has not the Lord God commanded us to prepare for battle? He replied, 'If you will go with me, then I will go." Judges 4:6-8

  • "Deborah said to Barak, 'Up! For this is the day in which the Lord has delivered the enemy into your hand. Has not the Lord gone out before you?" Judges 4:14

Judges, Old Testament, TalksRon Reid