"I will certainly go with you," Deborah replied, "but the road you are taking will bring you no honor, because the LORD will be selling Sisera into the hand of a woman." So Deborah got up and went with Barak to Kedesh, I will certainly go with youThis phrase is spoken by Deborah, a prophetess and judge of Israel, to Barak. The Hebrew root for "certainly" (הָלֹךְ הָלַךְ) implies a strong assurance and determination. Deborah's willingness to accompany Barak highlights her leadership and faith. In a historical context, this reflects the rarity and significance of female leadership in ancient Israel, emphasizing God's use of unexpected vessels to fulfill His purposes. Deborah replied
Deborah's role as a judge and prophetess is significant in the patriarchal society of ancient Israel. Her position indicates God's sovereign choice and the empowerment of women in His divine plan. The Hebrew name "Deborah" means "bee," symbolizing industriousness and leadership. Her reply is authoritative, reflecting her God-given wisdom and insight. but the honor will not be yours
This phrase underscores a key biblical principle: God often chooses to work through unexpected means to ensure that the glory is His alone. Barak's hesitance to go without Deborah results in the honor of victory being given to a woman, Jael, as later revealed. This serves as a reminder of the importance of faith and obedience in God's plans. on the journey you are about to take
The journey refers to the military campaign against Sisera, the commander of Jabin's army. This phrase can be seen as a metaphor for the spiritual journey of faith and obedience. The Hebrew word for "journey" (דֶּרֶךְ) often signifies a path or way, symbolizing the direction and purpose God sets before His people. for the LORD will deliver Sisera into the hand of a woman
This prophetic statement reveals God's sovereignty and the reversal of societal norms. The Hebrew word for "deliver" (מָכַר) implies a transfer of power, indicating God's direct intervention. The mention of a woman, Jael, receiving the honor of defeating Sisera highlights God's ability to use anyone, regardless of gender or status, to accomplish His will. So Deborah got up and went with Barak to Kedesh
Deborah's action of getting up and going with Barak demonstrates her commitment and leadership. The Hebrew verb "got up" (קוּם) often signifies rising to action or fulfilling a duty. Kedesh, a city of refuge, symbolizes a place of safety and divine appointment. This journey marks the beginning of God's deliverance for Israel through the obedience and courage of His chosen leaders. Persons / Places / Events 1. DeborahA prophetess and judge of Israel, known for her wisdom and leadership. She was instrumental in guiding Israel during a time of oppression. 2. BarakAn Israelite military leader who was hesitant to go into battle without Deborah's presence, showing his reliance on her spiritual authority. 3. SiseraThe commander of the Canaanite army, who was oppressing the Israelites. His defeat was prophesied to come at the hands of a woman. 4. KedeshA city in the territory of Naphtali, serving as a gathering place for Barak's forces. 5. The LORDThe covenant God of Israel, who orchestrates the deliverance of His people through unexpected means. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in DeliveranceGod often uses unexpected means and people to accomplish His purposes, demonstrating His sovereignty and wisdom. The Role of Women in God's PlanDeborah's leadership and the prophecy about a woman defeating Sisera highlight the significant roles women can play in God's redemptive history. Faith and ObedienceBarak's willingness to go into battle with Deborah shows the importance of faith and obedience, even when the path to victory is not as expected. Humility and GloryThe prophecy that Barak would not receive the glory for the victory serves as a reminder that true glory belongs to God, and humility is essential in serving Him. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Deborah's role as a leader challenge or affirm your understanding of leadership in the church today? 2. In what ways can we see God's sovereignty in the unexpected events of our own lives, similar to how He delivered Israel through Deborah and Jael? 3. How does Barak's reliance on Deborah's presence reflect our need for spiritual guidance and community in our faith journey? 4. What lessons can we learn from the prophecy that Sisera would be delivered into the hands of a woman, and how does this apply to our understanding of God's use of all people in His plans? 5. How can we ensure that we give God the glory in our victories and successes, as Barak was reminded through Deborah's prophecy? Connections to Other Scriptures Judges 5The Song of Deborah and Barak, which celebrates the victory over Sisera and highlights the role of women in God's deliverance. Hebrews 11:32-34Barak is mentioned among the heroes of faith, illustrating that despite his initial hesitation, his faith in God's promise was significant. Isaiah 55:8-9God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours, as seen in His choice to deliver Israel through a woman, contrary to cultural expectations. People Abinoam, Barak, Deborah, Ehud, Heber, Hobab, Israelites, Jabin, Jael, Kenites, Lapidoth, Naphtali, Sisera, ZebulunPlaces Bethel, Canaan, Harosheth-hagoyim, Hazor, Kedesh, Kedesh-naphtali, Kishon River, Moab, Mount Tabor, Ramah, ZaanannimTopics Barak, Certainly, Deborah, Deb'orah, Glory, Got, Hands, Honor, Honour, Journey, Kedesh, Lead, Nevertheless, Notwithstanding, Riseth, Road, Sell, Sisera, Sis'era, Surely, Takest, Though, Undertaking, YoursDictionary of Bible Themes Judges 4:1-10 6634 deliverance Judges 4:4-10 5091 Deborah
5358 judges
7266 tribes of Israel Judges 4:9-10 7266 tribes of Israel Library Sin Slain
I want to picture to you to-night, if I can, three acts in a great history--three different pictures illustrating one subject. I trust we have passed through all three of them, many of us; and as we shall look upon them, whilst I paint them upon the wall, I think there will be many here who will be able to say, I was in that state once;" and when we come to the last, I hope we shall be able to clap our hands, and rejoice to feel that the last is our case also, and that we are in the plight of the …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 6: 1860Whether the Grace of the Word of Wisdom and Knowledge is Becoming to Women?
Objection 1: It would seem that the grace of the word of wisdom and knowledge is becoming even to women. For teaching is pertinent to this grace, as stated in the foregoing Article. Now it is becoming to a woman to teach; for it is written (Prov. 4:3,4): "I was an only son in the sight of my mother, and she taught me [*Vulg.: 'I was my father's son, tender, and as an only son in the sight of my mother. And he taught me.']." Therefore this grace is becoming to women. Objection 2: Further, the grace …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica The First Blast of the Trumpet
The English Scholar's Library etc. No. 2. The First Blast of the Trumpet &c. 1558. The English Scholar's Library of Old and Modern Works. No. 2. The First Blast of the Trumpet &c. 1558. Edited by EDWARD ARBER, F.S.A., etc., LECTURER IN ENGLISH LITERATURE, ETC., UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, LONDON. SOUTHGATE, LONDON, N. 15 August 1878. No. 2. (All rights reserved.) CONTENTS. Bibliography vii-viii Introduction …
John Knox—The First Blast of the Trumpet A Nation's Struggle for a Home and Freedom.
ISRAEL'S VICTORIES OVER THE CANAANITES.--Josh. 2-9; Judg. 1, 4, 5. Parallel Readings. Hist. Bible II,1-4.1. Prin. of Politics X. That the leaders took the lead in Israel, That the people volunteered readily, Bless Jehovah! Zebulun was a people who exposed themselves to deadly peril, And Naphtali on the heights of the open field. Kings came, they fought; They fought, the kings of Canaan, At Taanach by the Waters of Megiddo, They took no booty of silver. Prom heaven fought the stars, From their …
Charles Foster Kent—The Making of a Nation Gamala. Chorazin.
These things determine the situation of Gamala:--1. It was "in lower Gaulon," in which, as we have seen, Bethsaida was. 2. It was "upon the lake [of Gennesaret]." 3. It was "over-against Tarichee." Compare the maps, whether in their placing of it they agree with these passages. Here was Judas born, commonly called 'Gaulanites,' and as commonly also, the 'Galilean.' So Peter and Andrew and Philip were Gaulanites; of Bethsaida, John 1:44; and yet they were called 'Galileans.' While we are speaking …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Blessings of Noah Upon Shem and Japheth. (Gen. Ix. 18-27. )
Ver. 20. "And Noah began and became an husbandman, and planted vineyards."--This does not imply that Noah was the first who began to till the ground, and, more especially, to cultivate the vine; for Cain, too, was a tiller of the ground, Gen. iv. 2. The sense rather is, that Noah, after the flood, again took up this calling. Moreover, the remark has not an independent import; it serves only to prepare the way for the communication of the subsequent account of Noah's drunkenness. By this remark, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Beth-El. Beth-Aven.
Josephus thus describes the land of Benjamin; "The Benjamites' portion of land was from the river Jordan to the sea, in length: in breadth, it was bounded by Jerusalem and Beth-el." Let these last words be marked, "The breadth of the land of Benjamin was bounded by Jerusalem and Beth-el." May we not justly conclude, from these words, that Jerusalem and Beth-el were opposite, as it were, in a right line? But if you look upon the maps, there are some that separate these by a very large tract of land, …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica A Cloud of Witnesses.
"By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was a-dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.... By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days. By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient, …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews The Mountainous Country of Judea.
"What is the mountainous country of Judea? It is the king's mountain." However Judea, here and there, doth swell out much with mountains, yet its chief swelling appears in that broad back of mountains, that runs from the utmost southern cost as far as Hebron, and almost as Jerusalem itself. Which the Holy Scripture called "The hill-country of Judah," Joshua 21:11; Luke 1:39. Unless I am very much mistaken,--the maps of Adricomus, Tirinius, and others, ought to be corrected, which have feigned to …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Country of Jericho, and the Situation of the City.
Here we will borrow Josephus' pencil, "Jericho is seated in a plain, yet a certain barren mountain hangs over it, narrow, indeed, but long; for it runs out northward to the country of Scythopolis,--and southward, to the country of Sodom, and the utmost coast of the Asphaltites." Of this mountain mention is made, Joshua 2:22, where the two spies, sent by Joshua, and received by Rahab, are said to "conceal themselves." "Opposite against this, lies a mountain on the other side Jordan, beginning from …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica He Does Battle for the Faith; He Restores Peace among those who were at Variance; He Takes in Hand to Build a Stone Church.
57. (32). There was a certain clerk in Lismore whose life, as it is said, was good, but his faith not so. He was a man of some knowledge in his own eyes, and dared to say that in the Eucharist there is only a sacrament and not the fact[718] of the sacrament, that is, mere sanctification and not the truth of the Body. On this subject he was often addressed by Malachy in secret, but in vain; and finally he was called before a public assembly, the laity however being excluded, in order that if it were …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh Miscellaneous Subjects.
Woman's Freedom. The Scriptural right for women to labor in the gospel as exhorters, teachers, preachers, etc., is questioned by many. To deny women such a privilege is contrary to the Christian spirit of equality, and a serious obstruction to pure gospel light. We (male and female) are all one in Christ Jesus. Gal. 3:28. In the kingdom of grace man and woman are on an equal footing so far as concerns the work of God. To explain some texts that seem to prohibit women from laboring in the gospel …
Charles Ebert Orr—The Gospel Day Judges
For the understanding of the early history and religion of Israel, the book of Judges, which covers the period from the death of Joshua to the beginning of the struggle with the Philistines, is of inestimable importance; and it is very fortunate that the elements contributed by the later editors are so easily separated from the ancient stories whose moral they seek to point. That moral is most elaborately stated in ii. 6-iii. 6, which is a sort of programme or preface to iii. 7-xvi. 31, which constitutes …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Judges 4:9 NIVJudges 4:9 NLTJudges 4:9 ESVJudges 4:9 NASBJudges 4:9 KJV
Judges 4:9 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
