Judges

Judges 4: The LORD goes before His people

Begin in prayer

Before Sisera's chariots fill the valley, let us remember who goes before His people. Pray that God would strengthen our faith in His word and turn our eyes toward His victorious Son.

They shall be as mighty men, treading down muddy streets in the battle; and they shall fight, because Yahweh is with them; and the riders on horses will be confounded.

Zechariah 10:5

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that no enemy can defeat Your purpose. Help us see Christ's victory and trust Your word when we feel weak. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

After Ehud's death, Israel again does evil, and the LORD sells the people to Jabin, king of Canaan. Sisera's nine hundred iron chariots oppress them for twenty years, until they cry to the LORD. Deborah, the prophetess who judges Israel, calls Barak to gather an army, giving him God's promise of victory. With Deborah beside him, Barak descends Mount Tabor, and the LORD confuses Sisera's army at the river Kishon. Sisera flees to Jael's tent, where she kills him while he sleeps, as Deborah said the LORD would sell Sisera into a woman's hand. God subdues Jabin, and Israel grows stronger against him until he is destroyed.

As you read Judges 4, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD goes before His people and defeats the enemies who oppress them.

In chapter 1 Judah could not drive out the valley's inhabitants, because they had chariots of iron, and Sisera has nine hundred. Yet the LORD who sold Israel to Jabin also promises to give Sisera into Barak's hand. Deborah speaks God's command as His prophetess, and Israel comes to her for judgment. Barak will go only if she accompanies him, so the honor of defeating Sisera will go to a woman. God draws the enemy to Kishon and throws his whole army into confusion. Sisera abandons the chariot that seemed to make him strong and runs away on foot. He seeks safety with Jael because her household has peace with Jabin. There he dies, and God's word through Deborah comes true.

How does Judges 4 show us that the LORD goes before His people and defeats the enemies who oppress them?

God speaks His promise through Deborah.

Deborah judges Israel under her palm tree, and she sends for Barak. God commands him to gather men at Mount Tabor and promises victory (verses 6 and 7). Barak's request for her presence does not change God's power to deliver.

The LORD overcomes Sisera's iron chariots.

Deborah tells Barak that the LORD has gone before him (verse 14). Barak goes down the mountain, and the LORD confuses Sisera's army. The chariots cannot protect their captain, who escapes on foot while his army is destroyed.

God gives Sisera into Jael's hand.

Sisera rests in Jael's tent, where she gives him milk and covers him. While he sleeps, she kills him with a tent peg (verse 21). Barak arrives to find him dead, and God's promised victory comes through the woman He had foretold.

Memorise

So God subdued Jabin the king of Canaan before the children of Israel on that day.

Judges 4:23

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what fear keeps me from trusting the word of Jesus?

Deborah asks Barak, “Hasn’t Yahweh gone out before you?” The chariots stand in the valley, yet the LORD has promised victory. When He acts, Sisera's army falls and its commander cannot escape the word God spoke.

Our sin makes us guilty before this mighty God. Jesus came to defeat sin and death by suffering for His people on the cross. He endured the punishment due to them and gave His life as their ransom. He rose as the victor over the grave. All that was needed for their salvation has been accomplished.

Come to Him, turning from sin and resting your faith in Jesus. The guilty who take refuge in His sacrifice receive forgiveness. The victorious King who rules over every power is able to save you. Trust His word, even when the enemy looks strong.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD keeps His word and gives the victory He promises. Explain Jael's killing of Sisera in your own words, with the weight the passage gives it. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that His power is greater than armies and chariots, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

I saw the heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it is called Faithful and True. In righteousness he judges and makes war.

Revelation 19:11

God of power, thank You for going before Israel and bringing down its oppressors. Please lead us to repent and believe in Jesus, who conquered sin and death. When we are afraid, help us remember Your word and obey You. Give our family courage to trust You. Amen.