Lesson for August 23, 2020: Lead Courageously (Judges 4:1-16)

Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in the August 2020 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. (Subscribe to our print edition.)

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Lesson Aim: When God leads, follow.

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By Mark Scott

Deborah (“honeybee”) was the fourth judge of Israel and the only female judge mentioned in the Bible. Before her came Othniel, who helped Israel achieve peace for 40 years (Judges 3:7-11); followed by Ehud, who was left-handed and killed chubby Eglon (3:12-30); and Shamgar, who killed 600 Philistines yet had only one verse dedicated to his reign (3:31). Then came Deborah, who was assisted by two men, Barak and Heber. This dynamic trio led Israel to defeat Sisera, commander of the army for Canaanite king Jabin (“whom God observes”).

Intimidating Ruler
Judges 4:1-3

The typical cycle of sin and salvation in Judges begins our text. Ehud had died and Shamgar’s reign was either so brief or took place in the context of Ehud’s time of judging. With these two judges gone, Israel fell into sin (evil) again. Therefore God sold them (gave them over) to Jabin, who reigned in Hazor (a northern city near the Sea of Galilee).

But the main villain of our text was not Jabin but his commander, Sisera. This intimidating ruler was based in Harosheth Haggoyim (“woodlands of the nations,” a location mentioned in our text three times). Perhaps he used some of the lush woodlands of the north to hide his intimidating army. Sisera’s superior military force was indicated by the reference to his 900 chariots fitted with iron. He oppressed (put the squeeze to) Israel for 20 years. Israel cried out with great distress to the Lord against this intimidation.

Courageous Leaders
Judges 4:4-11

Confession: I used to think that Barak was just a chicken (and I did not pay any attention to Heber—though he had roots with Moses’ family). Therefore God used a woman to lead because she was willing to put her big-girl pants on and take charge. But further study showed my former inadequate reading of the text. Heber actually leveraged his strategic position by the great tree of Zaanannim near Kedesh to help with the battle, and Barak (lightning) is mentioned in Hebrews 11:32 as one who acted in faith. So, we have a dynamic trio of courageous leaders, albeit Deborah seemed to have been the primary motivator.

Deborah was a prophetess (one who speaks enthusiastically for God by inspiration) and was married to Lappidoth (“torches”). She was leading (judging) Israel at this time. She settled disputes for the people of Israel (cf. Exodus 18:13-27), near a palm tree down south between the towns of Ramah and Bethel, while Sisera was causing havoc up north. Meanwhile, Deborah drew up a battle plan to defeat Sisera and his army.

Deborah challenged Barak, who was residing in Kedesh (“holy place” and a city of refuge mentioned three times in our text), to take 10,000 soldiers from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead them to Mount Tabor (a small mountain 1,300 feet above sea level; it is east of Nazareth, near the Jezreel Valley, and was the unlikely but traditional site of the transfiguration of Jesus). Deborah would act as a decoy and lead Sisera to the Kishon River (near Barak’s position). Barak did not want to tackle this battle without Deborah’s help. She agreed to help, but she reminded him that the honor of killing Sisera might be given to a woman (a reference to her, or more likely, to Jael, the wife of Heber, who “nailed” Sisera’s skull to her floor, 4:17-24). The plans were now made for the battle to commence.

Stunning Victory
Judges 4:12-16

Sisera got word that Barak and his army was at Mount Tabor. No doubt Sisera thought his 900 chariots could best Barak’s 10,000 soldiers. He took off from the north (Harosheth Haggoyim) and headed south to the battle. The plan was working perfectly. Deborah gave the command for Barak to come off the mountain and attack Sisera. She had confidence God would give Sisera into Barak’s hands. In fact, she reminded Barak, “Has not the Lord gone ahead of you?” The unseen hand of God was directing every part of this victory.

Barak and his army came running down Mount Tabor at Sisera. Maybe Sisera was surprised by this attack or realized he was being hemmed in by Heber and Deborah. But the Lord was behind it all, for the text said, “The Lord routed (chased or pursued) Sisera and all his chariots and army.” The battle was so one-sided that Sisera got down from his chariot and fled on foot. Barak chased Sisera and all his army all the way back north. All of Sisera’s soldiers were killed. Sisera ultimately ran into Jael, who left a strong impression on his mind.

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