Judges 4

TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Deborah and Barak Defeat the Canaanites

BACKGROUND NOTES

Outline the third sin cycle in the Book of Judges, as found in this section. Review the five stages in Lesson 3.
Who was Deborah? Who was Barak?
Who was Sisera? How was he killed?
Who was Jabin? What is the significance of the historical picture here?
What is the spiritual picture represented by Jabin and Sisera?

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).
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.
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).
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.
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.

Satan likes to keep God's people defeated in the land of blessing. Have you experienced victory over certain sins only to find that they return? Check out such sins as doubt, bitterness, uncontrolled anger, pride, jealousy, and sexual sins. As Christians, we must always practice the biblical principles of victory by putting on all of the spiritual armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-17), because we can be sure that Satan will raise up his Jabins and Siseras to try to defeat God's people.
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. Even as God raised up Deborah and Jael to help His people, there are those today whom God can use. Perhaps you have been helped by a Deborah or a Jael, or perhaps you are a Deborah or a Jael to be used of God to help others.

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.

"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