Deliverance Under Deborah

INTRODUCTION: After the death of Ehud, the Israelites begin again to do what is right in their own eyes. As is often the case, what is right in the eyes of man is evil in the eyes of the Lord. The evil deeds of the Israelites must, as in the past, bring an enemy upon them. This time the enemy is the king of Canaan and his captain Sisera. Once again the children of Israel cry out to God for deliverance, and once again God delivers, only this time the deliverance begins and ends with a woman.

1. THE OPPRESSION OF ISRAEL BY CANAAN (Judges 4:1-3)
1. The Death of Ehud (Judges 4:1)
2. The Oppression of Israel (Judges 4:2)
1. The Lord sold the Israelites into the hand of Jabin, the king of Canaan.
2. The king reigned in Hazor.
3. The captain of the host was Sisera who dwelt in Harosheth.
3. The Cry for Deliverance (Judges 4:3)
1. The children of Israel cried unto the Lord.
2. Sisera had nine hundred chariots of iron.
3. Canaan oppressed the children of Israel for twenty years.
2. DEBORAH AND BARAK GO TO MEET SISERA (Judges 4:4-9)
1. Deborahs Help Is Sought (Judges 4:4-5).
1. Deborah was a judge of Israel (Judges 4:4).
1. She was a prophetess.
2. She was the wife of Lapidoth.
2. The children of Israel came to her for help (Judges 4:5).
1. She dwelt under a palm tree.
2. She was between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim.
3. The children of Israel came to her for judgment.
2. Baraks Cooperation Requested (Judges 4:6-9)
1. Deborah calls upon Barak for involvement (Judges 4:6-7).
1. Deborah asks of the Lords will concerning Barak (Judges 4:6).
1. Barak is the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali.
2. Deborah expects that the Lord has given Barak a plan.
1. He is to draw toward mount Tabor.
2. He is to take ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun.
2. Deborah speaks of her involvement (Judges 4:7).
1. She will draw Sisera to the river Kishon.
2. She will deliver Sisera into Baraks hand.
2. Barak enlists under certain terms (Judges 4:8).
1. If Deborah will go, then Barak will go.
2. If Deborah will not go, then Barak will not go.
3. Deborah agrees to the terms (Judges 4:9).
1. Deborah assures Barak that she will go.
2. Deborah explains to Barak that the Lord intends on selling Sisera into the hand of a woman.
3. BARAK DEFEATS THE ARMY OF SISERA (Judges 4:10-16)
1. Barak Moves into Position (Judges 4:10).
1. Barak calls the men of Zebulun and Naphtali, ten thousand in number.
2. Barak and his men move into Kedesh.
3. Deborah goes with him.
2. Baraks Position Is Revealed to Sisera (Judges 4:11-12).
1. Heber the Kenite (Judges 4:11)
1. He was one of the children of Hobab.
2. He separated himself from the Kenites.
3. He pitched his tent in the plain of Zaanaim.
2. Friend turned foe (Judges 4:12).
1. Heber communicates with the enemy of Israel.
2. He informs them of Baraks whereabouts.
3. Sisera Moves into Position (Judges 4:13).
1. He prepares for war.
2. He moves from Harosheth unto the river of Kishon.
4. Barak Defeats the Enemy (Judges 4:14-16).
1. Deborah and Barak make their move (Judges 4:14).
1. Deborah encourages Barak to begin.
2. Barak moves down from mount Tabor with his men.
2. The Lord discomfits Sisera (Judges 4:15-16).
1. Sisera runs for his life (Judges 4:15).
1. The Lord overthrows the army with the edge of the sword.
2. Sisera lights down off his chariot and flees on his feet.
2. The host of Sisera falls (Judges 4:16).
1. Barak pursues the army unto Harosheth.
2. All the host of Sisera fall.
4. SISERA IS KILLED BY JAEL (Judges 4:17-22)
1. Sisera Seeks Refuge among Friends (Judges 4:17-20).
1. Sisera flees to the tent of Jael (Judges 4:17).
1. Jael is the wife of Heber the Kenite.
2. This is the same Heber who reported of Baraks whereabouts (Judges 4:11-12).
3. There was peace between the king of Canaan and the house of Heber.
2. Jael offers Sisera refuge (Judges 4:18-19).
1. Jael offers a hiding place for Sisera (Judges 4:18).
2. Jael ministers to the needs of Sisera (Judges 4:18-19).
1. She covers him with a mantle (Judges 4:18).
2. She gives him milk to drink (Judges 4:19).
3. Sisera asks Jael to cover for him (Judges 4:20).
1. He asks that she stand in the door of the tent and wait for anyone who might ask of his whereabouts.
2. He asks her to tell them that he is not in her tent.
2. Friend Turns to Foe (Judges 4:21-22).
1. Jael kills Sisera (Judges 4:21).
1. Sisera has fallen asleep.
2. She gathers a nail of the tent and a hammer.
3. She drives the nail into his temples and fastens it into the ground.
2. Jael informs Barak of Siseras death (Judges 4:22).
1. Jael comes out to meet Barak as he pursues after Sisera.
2. She informs him that she has the man for whom he is searching.
3. Barak enters to find Sisera dead with the nail in his temples.
5. THE LAND HAD REST FROM THE CANAANITES (Judges 4:23-24)
1. The Lord Subdued the King of Canaan (Judges 4:23).
2. The Children of Israel Prospered (Judges 4:24).

CONCLUSION: The people of God are the epitome of unfaithfulness, yet the Lord is the epitome of faithfulness. How can such a relationship exist? The answer is found in Lamentations 3:22, “It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.”