bibledoorajar Deborah con't

     Last week we were speaking of the vicious cycles of faith and downfall that plagued the Israelites during the time of the judges. So rampant were the downfalls that the national life of Israel was drastically changed. It took on more and more of the characteristics of the evil Canaanites to the North. God had wanted this territory conquered by the Israelites early on; it was to be a part of the tribe of Napthali's heritage. But, the people failed to conquer. Their failure would prove to be to their peril. One might say that the people who lived to the North lived in darkness. The gods they worshiped were Baal, the god of nature, and Anat, the goddess of fertility. Israel was attracted to the prosperity of their neighbors' farms and villages. Soon, they were also attracted to the gods to whom the Canaanites credited with their success. The Israelites started to abandon God and chase after the gods of the neighbors. And, to make matters worse, they began to take up some Canaanite behaviors. Some of the Israeli hill folk chased after their neighbors possessions by plundering their farms and villages. Evil on both sides abounded and it became troublesome to just be in the streets (sound familiar?).
     The Canannite ruler of the city states was a man named Jabin which means "intelligent". He decided it was time to deal with the marauding Israelites. He had a formidable general named Sisera whose name means "array". At least part of his "array" included 900 chariots of iron. Jabin ruled from a fortified city called Hazor which means "enclosed". The Israelites were sorely afraid of Jabin's military strength and because of their improprieties they were too weary for faith and hope. But God had leaders in mind that could help. The leaders were Deborah, the lady who had been sitting for years under her fruitful palm dispensing help and justice, and, Barak ("lightning"), an Israeli general. Remember Deborah's giftings? She was an oracle, judge and a prophetess. Perhaps in the past, her roles of oracle and judge had been more in view, but now God intended the role of prophetess to come to the fore. It would be Deborah who would help the nation correct their tragic interpretation of life with the enemy. Events would be put into perspective by this "mother in Israel". The spiritually blind, too weak for faith, would see more clearly. The only way they could truly be assured of prosperity and reward would be to follow God's commandments and successfully deal with their enemies.
     So the time was set for battle. On stage would be Deborah, Barak, and Jabin's general, Sisera. Off stage the presence of Lapidoth ("lamps") "warring" against Jabin ("intelligent") would be felt. This situation reminds me that none of us today have seen God or Satan, our wily enemy. But we know the battle rages on. Praise God for sending the great Leader who dispels the darkness and brings light and peace. His grace and truth is a much greater gift than the law given by Moses thereby making victory ours for the taking by God's decree.
     At just the right time, Deborah arose a mother in Israel and sent for Barak. Barak, interestingly enough, was from the tribe of Napthali. When Moses had blessed this tribe he had said, "O Napthali,  SATISFIED WITH FAVOR AND FULL OF THE BLESSINGS OF THE LORD". Barak had found favor and had achieved to the rank of general. Deborah tells him he is to move out with his men to the North in the direction of darkness. He is to go against the evil ruler Jabin who sat in Hazor behind fortified walls. Remember, Hazor was a city that God had wanted to be the possesion of his tribe but Napthali had failed to conquer. Barak knew that Jabin's army had grown even bigger and he knew that he had zero chariots to Sisera's 900 iron ones. Success looked bleak and Barak paused to think. Next week we will look at Barak's decision. Would he be valiant or continue to tolerate darkness?