Verse 6: And she (Deborah) sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, 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 the children of Zebulun.
Verse 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 unto thine hand.
We can see in these verses the plan given by God to Deborah for Israel's deliverance. Deborah, as a woman was not physically fit nor trained to command an army so the commission was given unto Barak. But Barak could do nothing without her anointing and Deborah could do nothing without his hands. God's intention was for Deborah and Barak to come together in one mind, one spirit and one purpose and that was to accomplish God's plan and the deliverance of Israel.
Going back to our main scripture let's read verses 8 & 9 in Judges 4.
Verse 8: And Barak said unto her, (Deborah) if thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go.
Verse 9: And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honor; for the Lord shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.
In order for Deborah and Barak to carry out God's plan they needed to be a team. But in order for this to happen there needed to be trust, confidence and cooperation between them. Barak was depending on the prophetic word God had given Deborah and so by Deborah agreeing to go with Barak that assured him that God's presence would go with him. The obstacles He was facing looked impossible to him because he was looking through the natural eyes and not through the eyes of the Spirit. He was looking for the strength and ability of the natural man to deliver Israel, but God had planned their deliverance in a way that no one could have imagined.
Now let's read verses 10-13 now and see what happens.
Verse 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.
Verse 11: Now Heber the Kenite, which was of the children of Hobab the father in law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent unto the plain of Zaanamin, which is by Kedesh.
Verse 12: And they showed Sisera (which was the captain of the Canaanite army) that Barak the son of Abinoam (who was the captain of Israel's army) was gone up to mount Tabor.
Verse 13: And Sisera gathered together all his chariots, even nine hundred chariots of iron, and all the people that were with him, from Harosheth of the gentiles unto the river of Kishon.
So what we have here is Barak and the army of Israel on top of Mount Tabor. Here they set up camp which was probably a flat Plato where they could look down upon Sisera, his army and the nine hundred chariots. Can you imagine how intimidating that would be to Israel? Did they truly believe that God was going to deliver them or were they blinded by fear? This is exactly what the enemy does. He intimidates you with unfavorable circumstances that seem to be unsurmountable and impossible to you. The enemy's intention is to discourage you and cause you to lose hope in the heat of the battle. His main goal is defeat you and take back territory that you had already won.
Remember: He never gives up so be on the alert because your adversary, the devil prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Don't let it be you.
In verses 12 & 13, Sisera takes the field with his powerful army and his 900 chariots of iron at the foot of Mount Tabor. These chariots had Scythes fastened to their axle trees so when they were driven into an army of footmen soldiers, they would sever limbs and execute their enemy. Scythes were a long curved blade with a sharp edge on the inner side of the curve fitted to the axles. Can you imagine Israel having to face the Canaanite army who were better equipped? Israel thought they would have to face those chariots but fortunately this was as far as they could go because they were unable to operate in the hill country. God had a plan and God had a purpose. Beloved, God knows the beginning to the end of your battle. He has already planned your way of escape if you will but trust Him and if you do you will see the salvation of the Lord in your life and circumstances.
Verse 14: And Deborah said unto Barak, Up (arise); 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 then thousand men after him.
Here is where Deborah gives the order to engage the enemy. Josephus says: That when Barak saw Sisera's army draw up and attempting to surround the mountain on the top of which Barak and his forces were camped, his heart almost failed him. But Deborah directed him to make a descent upon Sisera.
And this is when she encouraged Barak with the words "The Lord hath delivered Sisera into thine hand" and what did this mean? That it was a done deal! And it's at this time that Deborah encouraged Barak when she said: This is the Day! These words must have given Barak courage and assurance that God's presence was with them even though it looked like they were surrounded by the enemy. This my friend was faith in action.
In Hebrews 6:18b it says: It is impossible for God ever to prove false or deceive us, we who have fled to Him for refuge might have mighty indwelling strength and strong encouragement to grasp and hold fast the hope appointed for us and set before us.
Precious ones, the Lord wants to encourage you today and say that "This is your day and your hour for deliverance". For I am in control of you and your circumstances. Do not fear or be dismayed for I am here to deliver you from the enemy's plans, so you need not fear! For what seems impossible to you, is possible for me "IF " you will but place your life in my hands of strength and power.
Next week Part III of Deborah The Prophetess and Judge.
Blessings,
Elma Garlock
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