06: Deborah, Barak, and Jael (Judges 4:1 – 24)

While the story of Ehud in the previous chapter took place in the central part of Israel, this one occurs in the northern region. As the army commander hesitated to go into battle, the Lord used a woman in her tent to secure the victory.

πŸ‘‰ Read Judges 4:1 - 24


Q1. “The Israelites (            ) did evil in the Lord’s sight after (                        ). The Lord turned them over to King Jabin of Canaan, who ruled in (             ). The general of his army was (              ). He cruelly oppressed the Israelites for (             ) years. Now (              ) was leading Israel at that time. She summoned (            ) to lead soldiers to defeat Sisera.

The Israelites ( again  ) did evil in the Lord’s sight after ( Ehud’s death ). The Lord turned them over to King Jabin of Canaan, who ruled in (  Hazor  ). The general of his army was (  Sisera  ). He cruelly oppressed the Israelites for ( twenty  ) years. Now ( Deborah  ) was leading Israel at that time. She summoned ( Barak ) to lead soldiers to defeat Sisera.


Q2. What were her words to Barak? (two things. v6-7)

The Lord says that you must 10,000 men from Naphtali and Zebulun and fight Sisra. 

The Lord will give you victory.



Q3. Why did Deborah say that Barak would not gain frame for this battle?

Barak didn’t trust in God and asked Deborah to go with him.

Even though Barak lacked full trust in the Lord, the Lord still granted him victory. However, he did not receive the honor for it. This illustrates that despite a lack of faith, one might still partake in the victories and revivals of God’s kingdom. Nonetheless, without working according to faith, one will not receive commendation.



Q4. Find verses showing Barak’s jesitance? (two)

Verses 8 & 14


Q5. What made Sisera have the confidence to flee to Jael's tent? 

King Jabin and the family of Heber had a peace treaty.

The peace treaty (17) and her extra kindness (18 – 19) made Sisera relax and sleep. Why did Jael risk her life and kill Sisera despite the peace treaty? The Bible doesn’t say why. Jael likely took action to protect her family by showing that the peace treaty with Israel's enemy had been broken, by killing Sisera. 

The author contrasts Barak's hesitance with Jael’s decisive action. 

In this episode, the Lord used a Gentile woman to finish the enemy of Israel as their leader was reluctant to take action. 

“wife of Heber” This expression emphasizes that she was a woman. 



Q6. How did Jael kill Sisera?

She hammered the tent peg through Sisra’s temple. 




Summary of the battle

Harosheth Haggoyim was the home base of Sisera, the commander of King Jabin’s army, while Jabin’s kingdom was in Hazor. Though it is not explicitly described as a cavalry force, Harosheth Haggoyim served as the center of military operations, housing Sisera’s formidable force of 900 iron chariots, symbolizing significant military power in the ancient world. Situated at the end of the Jezreel Plain, a region notorious for battles, it was an ideal location for a military stronghold. From here, King Jabin deployed his forces to oppress and plunder the Israelites, particularly targeting the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali.

Deborah lived between Bethel and Ramah. Both towns belonged to the tribe of Benjamin. Ephraim Hill Country refers to the mountainous area at the center of Canaan.

1) Barak wanted Deborah to come with him. She went with him to Mt. Tabor

2) They called soldiers from Zebulun and Naphtali. 10,000 men followed him

3) Sisera and his army fought with them at the Kishon River

4) The Lord routed Sisera and his army. Sisera fled to the tent of Jael. There, he was killed by Jael.




Physical Features of the Land



As Barak hesitated, the Lord decided to use a Gentile woman. 

God will accomplish His will and fulfill His words regardless of your faith. But you won’t get the reward without faith. Jael showed us a good example of faith: a decisive and active commitment. Instead of waiting for Barak to kill Sisera, she proactively gets involved in the war of the Lord. 

Barak or Jael, which of them does the Bible ask you to choose to follow?



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