When we meet Deborah, the people of Israel are under the thumb of Jabin, one of the Canaanite kings. Jabin’s top military commander, Sisera, had “nine hundred chariots of iron,” which means he outmatched the children of Israel militarily by a mile. It wasn’t even close.
A word about all the chariots: for people in the remote hill country of Israel, acquiring the materials to build chariots would have required trade. The metal and the skill needed to make a sturdy war chariot would have meant their trading with one of the bigger powers: Egypt or Syria or even local kingdoms like Moab and Edom. Chariots (like the horses necessary to drive them) implied wealth, and connection with the great cities. Israel didn’t have either of those. So, the thought of Israel going into battle against a heavily fortified force like Jabin’s would have seemed ludicrous.
That’s the context in which Deborah arose:
Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time. She used to sit under the palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim; and the people of Israel came up to her for judgment. — Judges 4:4-5
The office of judge required more than just the handing down of pronouncements in legal disputes. At the time, it was viewed as a spiritual role as well, and most certainly a position of leadership. The people would have come to Deborah for the settlement of any difficult questions or cases, probably everything from property disputes to homicides. As the nation’s leading authority, Deborah (like Moses) was expected to rule on various civil matters. She guided her people in more than one way. She was so famous in ages to come that the writer of Judges called the tree she sat under “the palm of Deborah.” Think of how many generations the people of Israel must have kept that place in loving remembrance of one of their bravest and most unique leaders.
Deborah saw the dire situation of her people and decided to act at God’s direction. She summoned the warrior Barak, the son of Abinoam, delivered some truth straight from the Source, and she didn’t sugarcoat it. She didn’t say to him, I really need your help here. Deborah spoke with authority: “The Lord, the God of Israel, commands you, ‘Go, gather your men at Mount Tabor, taking ten thousand from the tribe of Naphtali and ten thousand from the tribe of Zebulun’” (Judges 4:6). God and Deborah had a plan: to draw Jabin’s general, Sisera, out to meet the challenge of Barak and his men. But Barak didn’t immediately get on board with this daring stratagem.
Barak said to her, “If you will go with me, I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go.” — Judges 4:8
Like any informed Israelite, Barak knew they were badly outgunned, and it doesn’t appear he was excited about taking on Sisera and his vast array of military armaments. How many times have we reacted like he did? Lord, I know you’re telling me to do X, but I’m really ill-equipped. You can’t mean that, can You?
Not so for Deborah. She knew she’d heard from God directly, and she was just delivering the message. She had total confidence in what He had instructed her to do.
And she said, “I will surely go with you; nevertheless, the road on which you are going will not lead to your glory, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.” — Judges 4:9
Boy, is that an interesting twist in the story! Not only is Deborah a bold and brave leader, but she prophecies that yet another woman will take down Sisera: Jael. Barak’s reluctance cost him a piece of the victory.
Despite his hesitation, Barak rallied ten thousand me from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun, and along with Deborah, they headed to the battlefield. I’ve often wondered what Sisera thought of these underdogs. Did he view them as foolish to attempt to confront his massive, well-equipped army?
Once Sisera had them in place, Deborah confidently proclaimed:
“Go! This is the day the Lord has given Sisera into your hands. Has not the Lord gone ahead of you?” — Judges 4:14
And with that, Barak and his men headed into the fray full steam ahead!
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