Spiritual Women, Strong Deliverance

Judges 4:1–9 KJV 1900

1 And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord, when Ehud was dead. 2 And the Lord sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host was Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles. 3 And the children of Israel cried unto the Lord: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel. 4 And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time. 5 And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Beth-el in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment. 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. 8 And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go. 9 And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the Lord shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.

Main Idea: God uses faithful and gifted women, and all believers who will live yielded to Him, to display His power through courageous obedience. Every believer can participate in God’s deliverance plan when they walk in faith, serve with humility, and act with courage.

Introduction:

Judges 4 opens with a familiar refrain: “And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord.” Their eighty years of peace became eighty years of forgetfulness. Comfort caused complacency, and complacency led to compromise. Yet even when God’s people drifted, His grace never departed.

The cycle of Israel’s problems highlighted in Judges follows this pattern:

1. Rebellion – Israel forsakes the Lord for idols.

2. Retribution – God allows enemies to oppress them.

3. Repentance – They cry out in distress.

4. Rescue – God raises up a Judge to deliver them.

5. Restoration - God restores his people to peace and prosperity.


Under the weight of iron chariots and ruthless commander named Sisera, Israel cried out for comfort, but what they needed was cleansing. David after his adulterous and murderous scandal prayed in Psalm 51:10 “10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; And renew a right spirit within me.” Israel prayed, “Give us relief,” but not for restoration; yet mercy met them anyway. 
Into this dark hour, God raised up a prophetess named Deborah, a woman of deep devotion, discernment, and dignity. God raised up Deborah, because she was a woman whose life was turned to heaven when a nation has gone tone-deaf. Alongside her stood Barak, who struggled to believe fully, and Jael, whose courage completed the victory. Their story is not just about them, it is about us. It shows that in seasons of decline, God still calls His people to rise up and act with faith.

This passage teaches three portable truths that every believer can live out no matter your gender or circumstances. Hear from God, Trust God, and Act on God’s word!

Context Truth : When a nation stops listening, God still raises listeners.

Truth 1 → Truth 2: Hearing turns hollow unless it becomes trusting obedience.

Truth 2 → Truth 3: Trust that never takes action is only a theory. Faith moves its feet.

“Church, say it with me: Hear from God. Trust in God. Act. for God”



I. Hear from God: Live with Spiritual Discernment (Judges 4:4-7)

A. Hear God Clearly (Judges 4:4)

Judges 4:4 KJV 1900

4 And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.

Judges 4:4 presents the first of two significant women in the chapters of Judges 4-5, an industrious woman named Deborah. In this unique segment of time, rises a person who is industrious, respected, wise, and Spiritual. She was no doubt and opulent leader, who along with her husband, owned palm-trees in Jericho, orchards in Ramah, Olive trees for producing oil in the valley, and a place of watering in Beth-el.

Deborah’s strength did not begin on the battlefield but in her prayer closet. Her strength began not in a sword, but in her sprit. She was a prophetess, a woman attuned to the voice of God, ranked among other women in the Old Testament like Miriam (Exodus 15:20) and Huldah (2 Kings 22:14). It is clear throughout the Scriptures that God uses Godly women to affect change, and to be a spark of faith in dark times. That was true in the Old Testament, New Testament, and it is true today.

Deboarah, was such a Spiritual spark because she heard God when others ignored Him. The nation was spiritually deaf, but she had cultivated a listening ear. Her discernment came from daily devotion. While Israel chased idols, Deborah sought intimacy with Jehovah.

God often raises up spiritual voices when moral vision is lost. Deborah’s prophetic role did not overthrow divine order but operated with in it. She spoke God’s Word under His authority. In a complementarian understanding, her ministry models how women empowered by the Spirit, can serve within God’s design without disputing His structure. She was not the priest, but she was a prophet; not a warrior, but a witness for God’s power.

Application:
We could all learn from Deboarah how to be Sensitive, Submissive, and Steadfast. In every generation, God looks for women whose ears are open and whose hearts are yielded.

Sensitive to His voice: Isaiah 30:21 “21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, When ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.”

Submissive to His will: James 4:7 “7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Steadfast in their witness: 1 Corinthians 15:58 “58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”

Cross References (KJV): Proverbs 31:30, Luke 1:38, Acts 2:17, Romans 16:1–2

B. Serve God Faithfully (Judges 4:5-7)

Judges 4:5–7 KJV 1900

5 And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Beth-el in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment. 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.

Deborah also served as a judge in the traditional or judicial sense of the word. She heard the grievances of the people and arbitrated disputes among the Israelites. Deborah “dwelt under the palm tree…” and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.” She used her position to provide wise counsel and godly guidance. Her place “under the palm tree” was both symbolic and practical. It was an open space, accessible for counsel and leadership. She used her influence not for her self-promotion but for divine direction.

She did more good under the palm tree than many do standing on large platforms.

God blesses those who manage their influence for His glory. Spiritual leadership is not about position, it is about purpose.


We should all learn to use our gifts to build up others, not boast of ourselves. Furthermore, we should seek opportunities to serve where God has placed us. The Scriptures should guide our decisions, not popularity. Every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, should serve humbly, speak wisely, and steward faithfully.

When you serve God it is important to hear from God, and trust Him at His word, enough to act in faith.

A lighthouse does not shout at shops. It simply shines and saves. Deborah shined.

Serve Humbly: Galatians 5:13 “13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.”

Speak Wisely: Colossians 4:6 “6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”

Steward Faithfully: Colossians 3:23 “23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;”

Cross References: Matthew 20:26–28; Romans 12:6–8; Galatians 5:13; Colossians 3:23; 1 Peter 4:10-11; 2 Kings 22:14

II. Trust God: Walk with Steadfast Dependence (Judges 4:8-10)

“If thou wilt go with me, then I will go; but if you wilt not go with me, then I will not go.”

A. Trust God Completely (Judges 4:8)

Judges 4:8 KJV 1900

8 And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go.

Barak hesitated to obey without Deborah’s presence. He believed in God’s promise but doubted God’s process. The adversary he would face was enormous by any standard, and this would be the largest battle in the book of Judges, engaging most of the tribes.

So Barak declares that he would only fight if Deborah went with him. His faith wavered because he trusted a person more than a promise. His insecurity revealed a lack of confidence in God’s sufficiency.

Many of us do the same, we wait for visible assurance before obeying an invisible God. 

Faith falters when it relies on visible assurance rather than invisible authority. Faith that depends on sight is not faith at all. God calls us to obey first and see afterward. Barak’s conditional obedience reminds us that partial faith still needs perfecting. Believers have to become comfortable stepping into obedience even when you cannot see the outcome.

God uses even hesitant hearts when they yield to His hand. In moments of fear, we must learn to Trust God’s Power, Take God’s Promise, and Tread God’s Path. Fear may delay obedience, but faith determines victory.

Trust God’s Power: Ephesians 3:20 “20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,”

Take God’s Promise: 1 Kings 8:56 “56 Blessed be the Lord, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant.”

Tread God’s Path: Isaiah 30:21 “21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, When ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.”

Cross References (KJV): Joshua 1:9; Proverbs 3:5-6; Hebrews 11:1, 32–34; 2 Corinthians 5:7; Joshua 1:9; Isaiah 41:10.

B. Encourage Others Boldly (Judges 4:9-10)

Judges 4:9–10 KJV 1900

9 And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the Lord shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh. 10 And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh; and he went up with ten thousand men at his feet: and Deborah went up with him.

Our trust for God should encourage others to trust Him also. Deborah’s response to Barak was both truthful and tender: “I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takes shall not be for thine honor (Judges 4:9). She encouraged him, yet reminded him that God alone deserves the glory. Deborah’s courage balanced Barak’s fears. She agreed to go but reminded him that the honor belonged to the Lord. Encouragement does not always mean agreement, it sometimes means correction.

Faith grows stronger when believers walk together in encouragement and accountability. Spiritual encouragement often comes with spiritual correction. Deborah’s courage elevated the mission, not herself. She stood as a Godly helper, not a usurper, strengthening God’s servant to fulfill God’s purpose.

There is a call for every child of grace to be Bold in Conviction, Balanced in Compassion, and Blessed in Cooperation. True ministry partnerships are rooted in humility before God and harmony with others.

Bold in Conviction: 1 Corinthians 16:13 “13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.”

Balanced in Compassion: Luke 6:36 “36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.”

Blessed in Cooperation: Philippians 2:2 “2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.”

When you serve God it is important to hear from God, and trust Him at His word, enough to act in faith.

Cross References (KJV): Ecclesiastes 4:9–10; Galatians 6:1–2; Romans 15:5–6; Philippians 1:27; Galatians 6:1-2; Romans 15:5-6.

III. Act in Faith to God (Judges 4:17-22)

“Then Jael Heber’s wife took a nail of of the tent, and took an hammer in her hand…”

A. Use What You Have (Judges 4:17-21)


Judges 4:21 KJV 1900

21 Then Jael Heber’s wife took a nail of the tent, and took an hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground: for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died.

Jael’s name does not appear on the battlefield, yet her courage changes the course of Israel’s history. . She had no sword or shield, only a hammer and a tent peg; yet those common tools became instruments of deliverance (Judges 4:21, 5:26). She did what she could, with what she had, where she was. When Sisera fled the battlefield and sought refuge, he ran into Jael’s tent, but into God’s trap. Jael’s act was not of cruelty, but of courage. She used what was in her hand, a tent peg and a hammer, to bring victory to Israel.

Jael’s demonstrates that deliverance often comes through unexpected vessels using unconventional means. God empowers ordinary women with extraordinary courage when they act in faithfulness to His purpose. God is not limited by your resources when He has your readiness. Stop waiting for perfect conditions to serve, and start with what is in your hand. Trust God to multiply what you surrender. Stand Firm, Stay Faithful, and Strike Fearlessly. Every believer must use what God has given to advance His will and resist evil.

Offer your heart, your head, your hands, or your home for God’s cause.

Stand Firm: 1 Corinthians 16:13 “13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.”

Stay Faithful: Revelation 2:10 “10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”

Strike Fearlessly: 2 Timothy 1:7 “7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

Cross References: 1 Samuel 17:47; 2 Corinthians 10:4-5; Ephesians 6:10-13; Exodus 4:2; Colossians 3:17

B. Stand for What is Right (Judges 4:22)

Judges 4:22 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.

Jael acted in alignment with God’s plan and Deborah’s prophecy (Judges 4:9). She broke the customs of the day in order to bring justice to this wicked man who had assaulted the damsels in the land (Judges 5:30). When Deborah sang her victory song in Judges 5:24, she declared, “Blessed above women shall Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite be.” Jael’s bravery became a testimony of faith in action. Her obedience brought glory to God and peace to the land. She refused neutrality in the face of evil. Her courage brought peace to Israel and glory to God.

There is no such thing as passive holiness. Righteousness requires resolve. Take a stand for biblical truth even when it costs you comfort. Do not compromise your convictions to avoid conflict. Remember that obedience to God brings lasting peace. Rewards follow righteousness. God honors those who stand for truth and courageously fulfill His plan. Jael’s legacy reminds us that faithful obedience outlives fleeting fear. The strong deliverance God wrought through Jael reminds us that when we do our part, God will handle His part.

Helping others is not an interruption to ministry—it is the illustration of ministry. True discipleship is seen in how we lift others, not just how we lead them.

Honor God: Psalm 29:2 “2 Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.”

Help Others: Philippians 2:4 “4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”

Herald His Praise: Psalm 30:4 “4 Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, And give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.”

When you serve God it is important to hear from God, and trust Him at His word, enough to act in faith.

Cross References: James 4:7; Ephesians 6:13; Romans 12:21; 1 Corinthians 16:13

Closing Movement

Beloved, the story of Deborah and Jael ends with victory because they acted decisively, faithfully, and fearlessly. But every believer has a “Sisera” to confront, a sin to slay, a stronghold to strike, a situation to surrender to God’s control. The same Spirit that empowered Jael lives in you.

God does not call you to be comfortable, He calls you to be courageous.

When you Stand Firm, He gives you stability.
When you stay faithful, He gives you strength.
When you strike fearlessly, He gives you success.
And when you Honor God, Help Others, and Herald His Praise, He gets the glory.

Transition to the Greater Deliverer

But here’s the good news: every deliverer in the book of Judges points to the ultimate Deliverer, our Lord Jesus Christ. Deborah judged Israel for a season, but Jesus will judge in righteousness forever. Barak won a temporary battle, but Jesus conquered sin, death, and the grave for eternity. Jael used a hammer to bring down a tyrant; Jesus used a cross to bring down the kingdom of darkness.

When Jesus went to Calvary, the hammer and the nails were again in play—but this time, they pierced Him so that He could pierce through the penalty of our sin. Through His death, He defeated every enemy that had oppressed the soul—sin, shame, and Satan himself.

The Scripture declares, “Having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it” (Colossians 2:15).

Celebration Close

The story ends with a song—“So let all thine enemies perish, O Lord: but let them that love Him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might” (Judges 5:31).

That’s what God wants for you—to shine in His strength and stand in His victory. Because when God fights your battles, the result is always deliverance.

So let the redeemed of the Lord say so!

* If He’s ever lifted you—say so.

* If He’s ever delivered you—say so.

* If He’s ever used you in spite of you—say so!

Let’s praise the Lord together, because strong women still serve a strong God—and He still brings strong deliverance!

The Call to Respond

Today, God calls you to take the same three steps we’ve learned from the message: Hear, Trust, and Act.

* Hear His voice calling you to salvation. “Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” (Hebrews 3:15)

* Trust His power to forgive your sins. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” (Acts 16:31)

* Act on His promise by surrendering your life completely to Him. “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

You don’t need to be perfect to come, just willing. God can take your weakness and make it strength, your fear and turn it into faith, your pain and turn it into purpose.

Invitation Moment (Exhortation)

If God could use Deborah under a palm tree, He can use you where you are.
If He could use Jael in a tent, He can use you in your trial.
If He could deliver Israel from their oppressor, He can deliver you from your burden.

Whatever your situation, broken, burdened, or bound—there is deliverance in Jesus’ name.

Come today:

* Come if you need salvation.

* Come if you need restoration.

* Come if you want to stand strong in difficult days.

The doors of the church are open, and the arms of Christ are extended.