Deborah’s Decisiveness

INTRODUCTION:

The time of the judges was the hard life of the time of war.

Plus Israel’s faithful had died off (Judges 2:6-10) with Joshua.

Judges 2:6–10 NKJV

6 And when Joshua had dismissed the people, the children of Israel went each to his own inheritance to possess the land. 7 So the people served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the Lord which He had done for Israel. 8 Now Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died when he was one hundred and ten years old. 9 And they buried him within the border of his inheritance at Timnath Heres, in the mountains of Ephraim, on the north side of Mount Gaash. 10 When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the Lord nor the work which He had done for Israel.

The total result was their infidelity and God’s fury (Judges 2:13- 14).

Judges 2:13–14 NKJV

13 They forsook the Lord and served Baal and the Ashtoreths. 14 And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel. So He delivered them into the hands of plunderers who despoiled them; and He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, so that they could no longer stand before their enemies.

God raised up judges (Judges 2:16) but they were no good (Judges 2:17).

Judges 2:16 NKJV

16 Nevertheless, the Lord raised up judges who delivered them out of the hand of those who plundered them.

Judges 2:17 NKJV

17 Yet they would not listen to their judges, but they played the harlot with other gods, and bowed down to them. They turned quickly from the way in which their fathers walked, in obeying the commandments of the Lord; they did not do so.

One enemy who tested them (Judges 3:1) was Jabin with Sisera (Judges 4:1-3).

Judges 3:1 NKJV

1 Now these are the nations which the Lord left, that He might test Israel by them, that is, all who had not known any of the wars in Canaan

Judges 4:1–3 NKJV

1 When Ehud was dead, the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord. 2 So the Lord sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. The commander of his army was Sisera, who dwelt in Harosheth Hagoyim. 3 And the children of Israel cried out to the Lord; for Jabin had nine hundred chariots of iron, and for twenty years he had harshly oppressed the children of Israel.

Deborah acted to end the horrible 20 years of oppression.

SHE WAS ABLE TO COMBINE THE SPIRITUAL, FAMILY AND JOB WELL.

In Judges 4:4 she is prophetess, wife and judge.

Judges 4:4 NKJV

4 Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, was judging Israel at that time.

Each one of these were of special importance to her.

Such women today deserve our praise and encouragement.

SHE HAD SHOWN WISDOM IN HER DECISIONS FOR A LONG TIME.

In Judges 4:5, the whole nation came to her for judgment.

Judges 4:5 NKJV

5 And she would sit under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the mountains of Ephraim. And the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.

The test of ability is consistency and longevity.

This is the sort of person you learn to trust.

SHE PUSHED A MAN TO DO WHAT HE NEEDED TO DO.

In Judges 4:6-7, she reminded Barak of the Lord’s command.

Judges 4:6–7 NKJV

6 Then she sent and called for Barak the son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali, and said to him, “Has not the Lord God of Israel commanded, ‘Go and deploy troops at Mount Tabor; take with you ten thousand men of the sons of Naphtali and of the sons of Zebulun; 7 and against you I will deploy Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his multitude at the River Kishon; and I will deliver him into your hand’?”

She pressed him to do right rather than assert herself.

This actually requires more ability than being assertive.

She tied her faith in God’s will to her action.

In Judges 4:8-9, she agreed to Barak’s request to go with him.

Judges 4:8–9 NKJV

8 And Barak said to her, “If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go!” 9 So she said, “I will surely go with you; nevertheless there will be no glory for you in the journey you are taking, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.” Then Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh.

She made sure he understood the honor would not be his.

Faith in God’s victory makes us follow the right.

SHE GAVE GOD HIS DUE CREDIT FOR ANY VICTORY.

In Judges 4:9, she knew it was the Lord defeating Sisera.

Judges 4:9 NKJV

9 So she said, “I will surely go with you; nevertheless there will be no glory for you in the journey you are taking, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.” Then Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh.

With the victory Israel (Judges 5:31) had 40 years of peace.

Judges 5:31 NKJV

31 “Thus let all Your enemies perish, O Lord! But let those who love Him be like the sun When it comes out in full strength.” So the land had rest for forty years.

Godly women bring long-lasting peace when trust is full.

SHE JOINED IN THE SINGING OF THE PRAISES OF GOD.

The 5th chapter is a beautiful, eerie song of victory…

Praise God, list problems, bless Jael, picture the losers.

Too many celebrate as if the victory is their own doing.

CONCLUSION:

Here is a woman faithful enough and idealistic enough to see a better future for her people, and she couples this with common sense enough to reach the goal.

This was not a matter for further careful analysis or more study in committee.

God had told Barak what to do and it was time to act on faith.

Deborah’s decisiveness is the key to everyone who truly wants to serve the Lord.