The Icons of The Bible Series will go through all the people of the Bible in chronological order. I will attempt to provide you focused article and videos that will help you become more familiar with those whom God chose to tell us about in His Holy Scripture. - Andy
Icons of the Bible: Deborah & Barak
Deborah and Barak
Under Canaanite Oppression
After Ehud's death the Jews forsook the ways of the Torah. This time the Jews were delivered into the hands of the Canaanites, who, under Jabin, king of Hazor fiercely oppressed the Jews. His general Sisera, a mighty warrior with iron chariots and cavalry, but a cruel and brutal man, oppressed the Jews for twenty years.
Grievous was the oppression, and the piteous cry of despair rose to G‑d, who mercifully raised up a deliverer.
Deborah
There lived at that time between Ramah and Beth-el, in the mountain of Ephraim, a wise and G‑d-fearing woman named Deborah, the wife of Lapidoth, renowned as a prophetess. In the midst of sin idolatry, she had remained true to G‑d and His word, and she was recognized and appealed to as the supreme Judge by the whole nation. Under a palm-tree which remained famous in after ages, she sat and spoke words of advice, warning, and judgment. Seeing the oppression of the people, and feeling for them in their misery, she sent for Barak, the son of Abinoam.
Barak Responds
Barak consented to accept the call only if Deborah agreed to accompany him. Sisera learned of Barak's approach and prepared his army for battle against the Jews. A mighty warrior, Sisera placed himself at the head of his men. At first the Canaanites had the upper hand, but suddenly G‑d threw Sisera's army into general confusion, causing his terrified warriors to flee pell-mell in all directions. Seeing the unexpected turn of the battle, Sisera descended from his chariot and ran to hide himself in one of the non-Jewish houses on the road. There lived in that district Heber the Kenite, who was a descendant of Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses. This Heber had been on good terms with Jabin, the king of Hazor, and Sisera felt certain of finding a safe refuge in Heber's house. Jael, Heber's wife, offered to conceal him until the Jewish armies would pass. Exhausted from battle, Sisera soon fell into a heavy slumber. Brave Jael decided to make Sisera pay for his cruel deeds. Cautiously approaching the sleeping warrior, she drove a long nail through his temple, putting an end to the life of the hated oppressor. In the meantime Barak had hotly continued his pursuit of Sisera. Following his traces, he breathlessly approached Heber's tent. Jael came to meet him in all the flush of triumph, and exclaimed, "Come, and I will show thee the man whom thou seekest." She led Barak into the tent, and there lay the cruel captain dead.." from the article: Deborah and Barak
3 Things We Can Learn from Deborah and Barak
"The Bible gives many lessons to us through the lives of the people recorded in its pages. All of them give us lessons on faith, on obedience to God, and on holding on to His promises. It will do us well to take a closer look at the lives of the men and women of God in the Bible.
For now, we will take a look at two figures in the book of Judges: Deborah the prophetess, and Barak. Their interactions with each other give to us very important lessons we can apply in our lives today as we follow the Lord Jesus Christ.
Deborah and Barak
Deborah and Barak are first seen in Judges 4. Deborah was the appointed judge over Israel when God sold the nation to Jabin, the king of Canaan, for doing evil in His sight. Israel was held under Jabin's oppression for twenty years by that time.
Barak, on the other hand, was a man whom God had commanded to lead an army against Sisera, Jabin's commander. Deborah called him to task, but his response revealed a man of weak character:
"...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!"" ((Judges 4:8).." from the article: 3 things we can learn from Deborah and Barak
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