The Testimony of Faithful Witnesses: Deborah, the Dutiful Judge (Judges 4:4-10, 14, 21-22)

Whenever we come to the Bible, we often read looking for instruction and encouragement for the day. But the Bible isn’t meant only to guide us day-by-day. The Scriptures are a historical record. They reveal what God has done and is doing in the world—and introduce us to the people who played a particular role in His plans for the world.

If you’re a longtime reader of the Bible, you’re more than likely familiar with many of these people. Some are examples of faithfulness. Others are cautionary tales against faithlessness. But all were examples of people who furthered God’s plan to give “God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die.” [John 3:16, CEV]

During this series, we’ll discuss the following witnesses to God’s authority and love:

• June 7: Deborah, the Dutiful Judge (Judges 4:4-10, 14, 21-22)
• June 14: Hannah, the Faithful Supplicant (1 Samuel 1:9-20, 25)
• June 28: Amos, Courageous Prophet (Amos 1:1; 2:11-12; 3:7-8; 7:10-15)
• July 5: The Believing Centurion (Matthew 8:5-13)
• July 12: Simon Peter, Restored Disciple (Mark 8:27-29; Luke 22:31-34; John 18:25-27, 21:15-17)
• July 19: Zacchaeus, Repentant Tax Collector (Luke 19:-11)
• July 26: Mary, Loyal Mother (Luke 2:15-19; John 2:1-5; 19:25-27)
• August 9: Stephen, Unwavering Martyr (Acts 6:7-10; 7:54-60)
• August 16: Saul of Tarsus, Unlikely Disciple (Acts 22:3-15)
• August 23: Timothy, Leader with a Legacy (2 Timothy 1:1-6; 3:14-16)
• August 30: Lydia, Generous Hostess (Acts 16:11-15, 40)

In the first session, we discussed the Judge, Deborah. The discussion and passages are below:

Judges 4:4-10, 14, 21-22 [New International Version]

Now Deborah, a prophet, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time. She held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites went up to her to have their disputes decided. She sent for Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, “The Lord, the God of Israel, commands you: ‘Go, take with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead them up to Mount Tabor. I will lead Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his troops to the Kishon River and give him into your hands.’”

Barak said to her, “If you go with me, I will go; but if you don’t go with me, I won’t go.”

“Certainly I will go with you,” said Deborah. “But because of the course you are taking, the honor will not be yours, for the Lord will deliver Sisera into the hands of a woman.” So Deborah went with Barak to Kedesh. There Barak summoned Zebulun and Naphtali, and ten thousand men went up under his command. Deborah also went up with him.

Then Deborah said to Barak, “Go! This is the day the Lord has given Sisera into your hands. Has not the Lord gone ahead of you?” So Barak went down Mount Tabor, with ten thousand men following him.

But Jael, Heber’s wife, picked up a tent peg and a hammer and went quietly to him while he lay fast asleep, exhausted. She drove the peg through his temple into the ground, and he died.

Just then Barak came by in pursuit of Sisera, and Jael went out to meet him. “Come,” she said, “I will show you the man you’re looking for.” So he went in with her, and there lay Sisera with the tent peg through his temple—dead.