4.1-9 Deborah(the northern region). We are now privy to know the office of a judge was more than military leadership. This is the third period of oppression and occurs in the 13th century BC. This is an important military victory because the Canaanite forces under the leadership of Sisera were superior. Sisera had 900 chariots of iron. This was a strategic battle for the control of central and Northern Palestine. After being oppressed for 20 years, Israel was experiencing longer and longer periods of foreign rule. Deborah was one of four women in the Old Testament identified as a prophetess. She is the only female Judge. Critics of the era of the Bible assert the Bible is unfair to women. This is a prime example of women holding key positions of power. She is joined by Jael, another woman, in this crucial victory. Chapter four gives the account of the battle and the details, while chapter 5 gives the song of victory. Barak’s part in the battle is not to be over looked, for he is mentioned in the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11.32.

4.10-24 the call of Zebulun and Naphtali. Before the battle is concluded men from six tribes will participate. Naphtali, Zebulun, Ephraim, Benjamin, Manasseh, and Issachar all participate. The directing of the battle given by Deborah in this critical encounter places her in the most favorable light of all of the judges. She is called a mother in Israel. The faith of Barak is fanned into flame by the spirit of this great woman. From the flat land tops of Tabor, Deborah and Barak watched the troops of Sisera assemble on the slopes of Carmel. It is at that moment that Deborah summons Barak to arise. She proclaims, “up; for this is the day in which the Lord hath delivered Sisera into thine hand”. The Lord had already began his approach to battle with Sisera, Barak had only to follow in the wake of divine power. The book of Judges has now covered battles in the east under Ehud, in the west under Shamgar, and now the north and central under Deborah and Barak.

Thanks for reading today…