Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. - Proverbs 31:30
In today’s message we will meet Deborah, the 4th judge of Israel. She is regarded as one of the greatest female heroes in the Bible. As we will discover, God used Deborah in a mighty way to deliver His people from the cruel hand of the Canaanites. In addition to Deborah, we will also read about another brave and courageous woman named Jael. This morning’s sermon highlights the important role that women play in God’s kingdom.
I. KING JABIN RULES OVER ISRAEL (Judges 4:1-10)
After Ehud died, the children of Israel began practicing idolatry and acts of iniquity once again. Therefore God sold them over to Jabin, the king of Canaan. He reigned from Hazor, an Israelite city north of the Sea of Chinnereth, in the territory of Naphtali. His military commander, Sisera, and formidable army were stationed to the south at Harosheth-hagoyim. These locations suggest that Jabin had subdued and was ruling over several of the northern tribes, including Issachar, Zebulun, Naphtali, and perhaps Asher. The Canaanites had 900 iron chariots and oppressed Israel for 20 agonizing years.
In those days, Deborah, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging in Israel. She was a prophetess who ministered in the hill country of Ephriam, between Ramah and Bethel, where she sat under a palm tree and rendered judgments to those who came for her counsel. The LORD spoke to Deborah concerning His plan to rescue the northern tribes, so she summoned Barak, the son of Abinoam. When he arrived, Deborah told Barak to muster up an army of 10,000 troops from the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali to wage war with Sisera’s Canaanite forces. Barak was unsure about Deborah’s suggestion and asked her to go with him, so the 2 of them returned together to Kadesh and assembled an army.
II. BATTLE AT THE KISHON RIVER (Judges 4:12-16)
When Sisera received a report that the Israelites had come down to Mount Tabor, he led his soldiers and their 900 iron chariots out to meet them at the Kishon River. Deborah assured Barak that the LORD would deliver the Canaanites into Israel’s hand. Feeling confident, Barak and the men of Israel hurried from Mount Tabor to the flowing Kishon and attacked Sisera’s troops. God sent torrential rainfall which caused the waters of the river to suddenly flood, thereby crippling the Canaanite chariots (Judges 5:4,20-21). Canaan was soundly defeated and tried to retreat, but the Israelites pursued them as far as Harosheth-hagoyim and killed them all. Somehow Sisera managed to escape on foot.
III. JAEL KILLS SISERA (Judges 4:11,17-22)
Sisera fled from the battle to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite. The Kenites were descendants of Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, who had migrated to the Promised Land years earlier with the Hebrews during the exodus. The house of Heber was at peace with King Jabin and the Canaanites, so the tent of Jael would seem to be a safe place for Sisera to rest and hide. However, unbeknownst to the fleeing commander, Jael was apparently sympathetic toward Israel.
Jael met Sisera outside, kindly invited him in, hid him under a cover, gave him some milk to drink, and even stood watch in the doorway of the tent. However, when the exhausted Sisera fell asleep, Jael quietly took a hammer and drove a tent peg through his temple and into the ground. Thus, Sisera died at the hands of a woman just as Deborah had prophesied (Judges 4:9). Sometime later, when Barak arrived in pursuit, Jael brought him into her tent and showed him what she’d done.
IV. DEBORAH’S SONG OF VICTORY (Judges 4:23-24;5:1-31)
After securing the victory, Deborah and Barak sang a song of celebration and praise. It was a song of thanksgiving to God and to the men of Israel who had volunteered to fight against the Canaanites. Its lyrics described the condition of Israel prior to the battle, detailed how Deborah and Barak assembled an army of Israelites from among the tribes, and even depicted God’s supernatural intervention during the battle itself. The song cheered Jael for her bravery and described the mother of Sisera’s deep sorrow. In the end, Deborah’s song called for God’s enemies to perish and for His children to rise up mightily.
After his military was decimated, King Jabin could no longer keep a firm grip on the northern tribes of Israel. They were soon able to free themselves from his dominance. The land enjoyed peace for 40 years.
CONCLUSION
Deborah’s faith and courage inspired Barak and the men of Israel to rebel against King Jabin, Sisera, and the 900 chariots of Canaan. At first, Barak was doubtful and afraid. He was uncertain that he and the Israelites could defeat their enemy. He asked Deborah to walk alongside him and serve with him in the revolt. Over time, her unwavering strength and trust in the LORD rubbed off on him. Barak bravely led Israel into battle and God gave them the victory. But none of this would have happened apart from Deborah’s leadership. Her godly example made it possible.
Some progressive Christians have tried to use the story of Deborah to argue that women should be allowed to serve as pastors. Southern Baptists have historically opposed this view. Let’s be clear… This story doesn’t have anything to do with pastors. In fact, the New Testament church did not yet exist nor would it for over 1,000 years and neither did the office of pastor. Deborah was a judge in ancient Israel - not the pastor of a post-Pentecost, Christian church. The 2 positions are not the same and have no direct relevance to each other.
Consider this… I am certain that there were men outside of the tribe of Levi who could have ministered in the temple just as well as the Levites. I am confident that there were godly men not of the line of Aaron that could have been dynamic high priests. But they were excluded from these positions - not because of their ability or lack thereof - but because it was contrary to God’s design. The LORD ordained that particular responsibilities and roles be filled by particular people. That said, in accordance with God’s creative design, the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture (1 Timothy 2:11-12;3:1-7).
Beloved, there is no doubt that women can serve as leaders in the kingdom of God just as effectively as men - in some cases, more effectively. And I am extremely thankful for the godly women in my life who have helped me grow in Christ. To both of my grandmothers, my mother, and my wife especially I say thank you. I am grateful for the many righteous women in churches where I have attended and/or pastored over the years who have made a positive impact on my life, including many of you. Like Deborah, you have been a source of strength and inspiration for me and, I trust, many, many others. May God richly bless you.
In today’s message we will meet Deborah, the 4th judge of Israel. She is regarded as one of the greatest female heroes in the Bible. As we will discover, God used Deborah in a mighty way to deliver His people from the cruel hand of the Canaanites. In addition to Deborah, we will also read about another brave and courageous woman named Jael. This morning’s sermon highlights the important role that women play in God’s kingdom.
I. KING JABIN RULES OVER ISRAEL (Judges 4:1-10)
After Ehud died, the children of Israel began practicing idolatry and acts of iniquity once again. Therefore God sold them over to Jabin, the king of Canaan. He reigned from Hazor, an Israelite city north of the Sea of Chinnereth, in the territory of Naphtali. His military commander, Sisera, and formidable army were stationed to the south at Harosheth-hagoyim. These locations suggest that Jabin had subdued and was ruling over several of the northern tribes, including Issachar, Zebulun, Naphtali, and perhaps Asher. The Canaanites had 900 iron chariots and oppressed Israel for 20 agonizing years.
In those days, Deborah, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging in Israel. She was a prophetess who ministered in the hill country of Ephriam, between Ramah and Bethel, where she sat under a palm tree and rendered judgments to those who came for her counsel. The LORD spoke to Deborah concerning His plan to rescue the northern tribes, so she summoned Barak, the son of Abinoam. When he arrived, Deborah told Barak to muster up an army of 10,000 troops from the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali to wage war with Sisera’s Canaanite forces. Barak was unsure about Deborah’s suggestion and asked her to go with him, so the 2 of them returned together to Kadesh and assembled an army.
II. BATTLE AT THE KISHON RIVER (Judges 4:12-16)
When Sisera received a report that the Israelites had come down to Mount Tabor, he led his soldiers and their 900 iron chariots out to meet them at the Kishon River. Deborah assured Barak that the LORD would deliver the Canaanites into Israel’s hand. Feeling confident, Barak and the men of Israel hurried from Mount Tabor to the flowing Kishon and attacked Sisera’s troops. God sent torrential rainfall which caused the waters of the river to suddenly flood, thereby crippling the Canaanite chariots (Judges 5:4,20-21). Canaan was soundly defeated and tried to retreat, but the Israelites pursued them as far as Harosheth-hagoyim and killed them all. Somehow Sisera managed to escape on foot.
III. JAEL KILLS SISERA (Judges 4:11,17-22)
Sisera fled from the battle to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite. The Kenites were descendants of Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, who had migrated to the Promised Land years earlier with the Hebrews during the exodus. The house of Heber was at peace with King Jabin and the Canaanites, so the tent of Jael would seem to be a safe place for Sisera to rest and hide. However, unbeknownst to the fleeing commander, Jael was apparently sympathetic toward Israel.
Jael met Sisera outside, kindly invited him in, hid him under a cover, gave him some milk to drink, and even stood watch in the doorway of the tent. However, when the exhausted Sisera fell asleep, Jael quietly took a hammer and drove a tent peg through his temple and into the ground. Thus, Sisera died at the hands of a woman just as Deborah had prophesied (Judges 4:9). Sometime later, when Barak arrived in pursuit, Jael brought him into her tent and showed him what she’d done.
IV. DEBORAH’S SONG OF VICTORY (Judges 4:23-24;5:1-31)
After securing the victory, Deborah and Barak sang a song of celebration and praise. It was a song of thanksgiving to God and to the men of Israel who had volunteered to fight against the Canaanites. Its lyrics described the condition of Israel prior to the battle, detailed how Deborah and Barak assembled an army of Israelites from among the tribes, and even depicted God’s supernatural intervention during the battle itself. The song cheered Jael for her bravery and described the mother of Sisera’s deep sorrow. In the end, Deborah’s song called for God’s enemies to perish and for His children to rise up mightily.
After his military was decimated, King Jabin could no longer keep a firm grip on the northern tribes of Israel. They were soon able to free themselves from his dominance. The land enjoyed peace for 40 years.
CONCLUSION
Deborah’s faith and courage inspired Barak and the men of Israel to rebel against King Jabin, Sisera, and the 900 chariots of Canaan. At first, Barak was doubtful and afraid. He was uncertain that he and the Israelites could defeat their enemy. He asked Deborah to walk alongside him and serve with him in the revolt. Over time, her unwavering strength and trust in the LORD rubbed off on him. Barak bravely led Israel into battle and God gave them the victory. But none of this would have happened apart from Deborah’s leadership. Her godly example made it possible.
Some progressive Christians have tried to use the story of Deborah to argue that women should be allowed to serve as pastors. Southern Baptists have historically opposed this view. Let’s be clear… This story doesn’t have anything to do with pastors. In fact, the New Testament church did not yet exist nor would it for over 1,000 years and neither did the office of pastor. Deborah was a judge in ancient Israel - not the pastor of a post-Pentecost, Christian church. The 2 positions are not the same and have no direct relevance to each other.
Consider this… I am certain that there were men outside of the tribe of Levi who could have ministered in the temple just as well as the Levites. I am confident that there were godly men not of the line of Aaron that could have been dynamic high priests. But they were excluded from these positions - not because of their ability or lack thereof - but because it was contrary to God’s design. The LORD ordained that particular responsibilities and roles be filled by particular people. That said, in accordance with God’s creative design, the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture (1 Timothy 2:11-12;3:1-7).
Beloved, there is no doubt that women can serve as leaders in the kingdom of God just as effectively as men - in some cases, more effectively. And I am extremely thankful for the godly women in my life who have helped me grow in Christ. To both of my grandmothers, my mother, and my wife especially I say thank you. I am grateful for the many righteous women in churches where I have attended and/or pastored over the years who have made a positive impact on my life, including many of you. Like Deborah, you have been a source of strength and inspiration for me and, I trust, many, many others. May God richly bless you.