God Brings Victory

Text

Judges 4:22–24 KJV 1900

22 And, behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said unto him, Come, and I will shew thee the man whom thou seekest. And when he came into her tent, behold, Sisera lay dead, and the nail was in his temples. 23 So God subdued on that day Jabin the king of Canaan before the children of Israel. 24 And the hand of the children of Israel prospered, and prevailed against Jabin the king of Canaan, until they had destroyed Jabin king of Canaan.

TITLE: “GOD BRINGS VICTORY”

Introduction

God’s calling is individualized. Not everyone is the same.

Some have heard Him speak to them in dreams, others in visions.

{Share my personal story of being called of God}

Barak received God’s call through the prophecy of Deborah.

We need to observe the fact that the Bible specifically says she was a prophetess and that it is biblical and acceptable thing.

Miriam was a prophetess.

Huldah was a prophetess.

In the NT, Anna was a prophetess.

So, she sent Barak a direct message as a commandment from God:

Judges 4:6–7 KJV 1900

6 And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedesh-naphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the Lord God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun? 7 And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand.

TITLE

God Called Barak

Israel Faced Oppression at the Hands of the Canaanites

It’s important to understand how things were going under the time of the “judges” in Scripture.

It’s actually quite ridiculous. Israel would repeatedly fail to follow God like they should. And because of that, they were oppressed by their neighbors. They would repent and cry out to God for deliverance from them. And He would often raise up someone to help. Restoration would happen. But then, they would gradually backslide again.

And the leaders God would raise up to lead the people back - they were called “judges.”

So, throughout this book of Judges, you have this vicious cycle being repeated. And every time, they’re sinking lower into the immorality of the people around them. They weren’t getting into covenant relationship with God like they should. But He kept showing His love for them.

Sometimes we deal with things, not as a result of chance, but as a result of our own decision-making; self-inflicted. For Israel, King Jabin was what they were dealing with because of their lack of relationship with God.

It was time for God to raise up a judge. And Deborah became that judge in Ephraim.

Now, King Jabin didn’t go out and afflict Israel on his own. He had his right hand man do it: Sisera, the commander of the army. As a matter of fact, Sisera had gained this strong reputation for being a man of cruelty.

After 20 years of cruelty, somebody said, “Hey guys… remember when we used to pray to God about what we had going on?” I wonder how long we wait and live through junk we don’t have to because we’re to stubborn to put in in God’s court?

And God heard ‘em. He calls Barak to action over here, while He stirs Sisera to get his troops and chariots ready for battle. He started organizing victory on the spot: “Let’s cut to the chase!” He doesn’t do things halfway. Whatever battle the Church gets into fighting - we plan for victory, because His plan IS victory!

Deborah Prophesied of Barak’s Victory

So God sends Deborah to speak the prophetic word to call Barak. And while she prophesied that, she also prophesied the victory that would come from the battle:

Judges 4:7 KJV 1900

7 And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand.

And when God declares victory, there is no need for anybody to doubt or get down in the mullygrubs about it - THE CONCLUSION HAS BEEN DETERMINED.

Now allow me to say this: If there is a word of prophecy spoken, and there’s somebody around you that all they want to do every time is cast doubt on the whole thing and speak negativity - you need to distance yourself a little bit from that. I’m not interested in surrounding myself with people who doubt the word of God!

IF GOD SAID IT, THIS THING IS ALREADY DONE!

God knows every detail of our situation, our calling, our responsibility, and what the end outcome is going to be! The one we call omniscient… DOESN’T SPEAK PREMATURELY!!! He already sees the outcome and has anticipated every roadblock and turn of events.

Barak Refused to Fight without Deborah

And God not only calls Barak to lead the attack against Jabin’s army - He even gives him the strategy that would win it!

So… you’ve got everything you need to win. And it’s coming from the Almighty One… but despite all of that assurance, Barak resisted God’s call. And he shared his thoughts about it with Deborah. He was reluctant to accept the leadership role, and he even refused to go to battle unless Deborah agreed to go with him!

So, what’s the deal, here?!

There’s some who say that Barak was a coward for being dependent on Deborah to come with him in battle. But, the thing is, Barak was a clear leader. He was able to rally 10,000 men from some of the tribes to prepare for war.

So, it might be that he was reluctant out of admiration for Deborah’s spiritual leadership and a desire to have God’s presence and prophetess with him in what was going to be the greatest battle of his generation.

And Deborah agreed to come, but she warned Barak that the honor for the victory would end up being given to a woman. It was typical to see only men in military and leadership positions… but it’s noteworthy to see Deborah as a judge and prophetess in Israel. She emerged as a hero, here.

But the woman who would get the honor for the victory wasn’t even Deborah. We’ll get to her shortly...

But there is a principle that I want to point out here: the passing of the presence of God.

God withdrew His Spirit from Saul to completely lift up David.

God had to move on to Joshua from Moses, for Moses’s disobedience.

Jesus informed those listening, that if the opportunity was passed to worship, the rocks would get the opportunity to cry out!

And in Revelation, Jesus told the church in Laodicea:

Revelation 3:15–16 KJV 1900

15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Revelation 3:20 KJV 1900

20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

It’s almost as if He’s saying, repent, and you can make it. But I’m waiting on the person who will hear my voice and let me in. Even if that’s not you…

We Must Heed God’s Call

You know, when God gives us a Word and confirms His calling, our response should be faith and courage. Not doubt. We need to believe Him!

Now, sometimes in our humility, we may never feel adequate for the task we’re called to. We might feel like we’re not equipped enough or under-qualified for what He wants. But, as it’s been said: “God always qualifies the called.” He will never give us an impossible calling. He always gives us what we need to do His will! Paul wrote:

Romans 11:29 KJV 1900

29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

He doesn’t make mistakes! He has never called someone and changed His mind about them because the person lacked ability! David wrote:

Psalm 103:13–14 KJV 1900

13 Like as a father pitieth his children, So the Lord pitieth them that fear him. 14 For he knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust.

Let me release you from your doubts today: God knows your weaknesses and limitations.

As our Creator, He knows what we’re able and not able to do. And He GOES WITH US, as our qualifier and enabler!

God Provided Victory Through Jael

God is never nervous or worried about the outcome.

Hear the Word this morning:

Matthew 28:20 KJV 1900

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Philippians 1:6 KJV 1900

6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

2 Peter 3:9 KJV 1900

9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

And sometimes, God chooses the most unlikely participants to work out His plan. Sometimes the most creative solutions.

And God had a surprise ending for the commander of King Jabin’s army. His death was already planned out.

Deborah and Barak Routed the Canaanite Army

Now, on the other side (as agreed) Deborah is going toward battle with Barak. Barak has summoned his 10,000 troops. They all gather near Mt. Tabor. And Sisera’s troops are coming.

At some point, the prophetess assured Barak that this was the battle she had predicted and victory was on the way. She said:

Judges 4:14 KJV 1900

14 And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this is the day in which the Lord hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the Lord gone out before thee? So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him.

Sometimes, you need somebody to tell you, “UP!”

That simple question there, “Is not the Lord gone out before thee?” gave Barak the courage he needed for a battle that looked impossible. There was no way they could win on their own strength. Sisera’s horse and chariots would run them down and overcome them. So this confirmation from Deborah gave Barak an assurance to go forward.

Confirmation is something God uses to assure us we’re in His will.

Now, what happened next is a little vague, but we do know that God went before Barak and brought a confusion and a terror on the enemy’s troops that disoriented them. It was like they were fighting an invisible enemy!

There are some scholars who suggest that their chariots weren’t as effective in the mountains as they were on level ground. But whatever the cause, they abandoned their horses and chariots and ran away in fear!

Now, Barak’s army have been emboldened! And they’re coming after the Canaanites! They chased them all the way to their homes and slew them with the sword! Listen to how strong the victory was:

Judges 4:16 KJV 1900

16 But Barak pursued after the chariots, and after the host, unto Harosheth of the Gentiles: and all the host of Sisera fell upon the edge of the sword; and there was not a man left.

Sisera Fled and Was Subdued by Jael, Who Achieved Complete Victory

But the battle wasn’t over. In the chaos, Sisera abandoned his chariot and ran off on foot, trying to escape death. After all of the cruelty he had put on them, he wasn’t expecting any sort of mercy.

He found the camp of Heber the Kenite, an ally of their kingdom. Sisera felt safe there, and he desperately needed rest and food.

He met Heber’s wife, Jael. She welcomed his into her tent to rest. When he asked for water, she gave him milk. And she gave him a blanket and promised to stand guard at the door.

She waited patiently until he was fast asleep… she gently came back into the tent, quietly raised a tent peg and a hammer, aimed for his temple, and grove the peg through his head and into the ground. He would never get a chance to wake up. The cruel one died a fittingly cruel death.

Barak had thoroughly destroyed the armies of Canaan. And now, he was focused on bringing Sisera to justice. He tracked him all the way to the Kenite camp. He met Jael. She invited him into the tent to see the scene, still fresh.

Through her heroic act, Jael became the honored champion of the story as she brought an end to Sisera’s cruelty. King Jabin’s kingdom was destroyed. Israel saw victory, fulfilling Deborah’s prophecy. And just as she had prophesied also, honor was given to a woman, Jael, for victory.

Now, this is quite a graphic story. Many of the experiences in the book of Judges are graphic and disturbing and seem sort of distant or irrelevant for our times. But, every biblical account gives us help to understand God’s involvement in our lives. Paul wrote about the experiences in the wilderness:

1 Corinthians 10:11 KJV 1900

11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

The next time someone tries to discard the Old Testament in front of you, remember that scripture!

I Will Experience Victory When I Accept and Follow God’s Call

The battles we each face are mostly more mental, emotional, or spiritual, we can have that same confidence in God’s ability to bring us through to victory! He fights our battles and pushes back against the enemy!

Our faith is in God! No power can resist Him! No foe can defeat Him! With the Holy Ghost at work in our lives, we are a powerful force for good!

If we will just answer His call and believe, all things become possible with faith in Him!

TITLE

Conclusion

Internalizing the Message

Every parent has probably used that rhetorical question more than a few times: “How many times have I told you?”

Sometimes, it seems children just don’t listen, they forget, or they are testing the boundaries again. When things don’t work out well and their disobedience catches up with them, their parents find themselves scolding their children again:

“How many times have I told you not to throw a ball in the house?”

“How many times have I said no cookies before dinner?”

“How many times have I told you not to ride your bike in the street?

Perhaps that is the way God felt about Israel. How many times had He warned them against idolatry? Or cautioned them about participating in pagan practices at the high places? Or reminded them of the commandments and called them to obedience? How many times had Israel resolved to do better but failed? How often had they been lured by the enticements of the Canaanite culture and tempted by their sensual cult?

As a loving parent, God sought for those who would embrace His covenant and commit to His commandments. He planned victory and success for all those who simply follow His plan.

Over and over God has assured us of His great love. God has promised victory and an overcoming life to everyone who submits to Him and desires to become His disciple. How many times has He told us, “I love you” and “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee”? (Hebrews 13:5).

We have the assurance of His love and the promise of a victorious outcome!