Topical Bible: Prayer: Answered: Sisera

◄ Prayer: Answered: Sisera ►

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In the biblical narrative, the account of Sisera provides a compelling example of answered prayer, demonstrating God's intervention in response to the cries of His people. Sisera was the commander of the Canaanite army under King Jabin of Hazor, and he is prominently featured in the Book of Judges, chapters 4 and 5.

Context and Background

The Israelites, having once again turned away from God, found themselves oppressed by Jabin, king of Canaan, whose military commander was Sisera. Judges 4:3 states, "Then the Israelites cried out to the LORD, because Jabin had nine hundred iron chariots, and he had harshly oppressed them for twenty years." The Israelites' cry for deliverance was a prayer for divine intervention against their formidable enemy.

Divine Response through Deborah and Barak

God answered the Israelites' prayer by raising up Deborah, a prophetess and judge, to lead them. Deborah summoned Barak and conveyed God's command to take ten thousand men to Mount Tabor, promising that God would deliver Sisera into their hands. Judges 4:7 records God's promise: "And I will draw out Sisera the commander of Jabin’s army, his chariots, and his troops to the Kishon River, and I will deliver him into your hands."

The Battle and Sisera's Defeat

In obedience to God's command, Barak led the Israelite forces against Sisera. The battle took place near the Kishon River, where God intervened miraculously. Judges 4:15 describes the outcome: "And the LORD routed Sisera and all his chariots and army by the sword before Barak, and Sisera abandoned his chariot and fled on foot." The Lord's intervention was decisive, leading to the complete defeat of Sisera's forces.

Jael's Role in Answered Prayer

The narrative continues with Sisera seeking refuge in the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite. In a surprising turn of events, Jael killed Sisera by driving a tent peg through his temple while he slept, as recorded in Judges 4:21 . This act fulfilled Deborah's prophecy that the honor of defeating Sisera would go to a woman (Judges 4:9).

The Song of Deborah and Barak

Judges 5 contains the Song of Deborah and Barak, a poetic retelling of the victory over Sisera. This song attributes the victory to the Lord's intervention, celebrating the answered prayer of the Israelites. Judges 5:20 poetically states, "From the heavens the stars fought; from their courses they fought against Sisera."

Significance

The account of Sisera's defeat highlights the power of prayer and God's faithfulness to deliver His people when they call upon Him. It underscores the theme of divine justice and the fulfillment of God's promises through unexpected means. The account of Sisera serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and His ability to use both men and women to accomplish His purposes in response to prayer.

Nave's Topical Index

Judges 4:3,23,24
And the children of Israel cried to the LORD: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel.
Nave's Topical Index

1 Samuel 12:9-11
And when they forgot the LORD their God, he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab, and they fought against them.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Second vision "In Heaven"
... heaven the cry is now about to be answered, and there ... of waiting between the offering
of the prayer, and the ... them as unto the Midianites; As to Sisera, as to ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the second vision in heaven.htm

Sin Slain
... with him, he is not content with prayer; he begins ... no doubt, who are like Barak pursuing
after Sisera, but who ... I never answered them, for I dare say they would ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/sin slain.htm

Jehoshaphat
... we may inquire of the Lord," Ahab answered; "but I ... people, Jehoshaphat poured out
his soul in prayer, pleading God's ... As to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 15 jehoshaphat.htm

The Ark of his Covenant
... perceive any design here," and they answered, "No, madam ... of the covenant that God
hears prayer, that God ... the stars in heaven to fight against Sisera, will bring ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 41 1895/the ark of his covenant.htm

The King after Man's Heart
... And they answered, He is witness.6. And Samuel said unto ... He sold them into the hand
of Sisera, captain of ... The experience of God's responses to prayer does not ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the king after mans heart.htm

The Pilgrim's Progress
... The Porter answered, This man is on a journey ... as sword, shield, helmet, breastplate,
all-prayer, and shoes ... and nail with which Jael slew Sisera; the pitchers ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the pilgrims progress.htm

Letter cviii. To Eustochium.
... wide stretching plains of Galilee where Sisera and all ... three companies met together
for psalm-singing and prayer. ... is over and gone," she answered joyfully "the ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cviii to eustochium.htm

Against Jovinianus.
... sent Jovinian's books to Jerome, who answered them in ... victorious over the iron chariots
of Sisera and Jabin. ... that ye may give yourselves unto prayer, and may ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/against jovinianus.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... the mother of Sisera cried through the lattice"'Why is his chariot so long in
coming?"Why tarry the wheels of his chariot?'"Her wise ladies answered her ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon:
... He answered, Sir, I perceive, by the book in my hand, that I am condemned to die,
and after that to come to judgment, (Heb.9:27); and I find that I am not ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/mr bunyans last sermon .htm