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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Monday, 23 June 2025:
Judges 4:1–3 — And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord after Ehud died. And the Lord sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan…. Then the people of Israel cried out to the Lord for help, for he had 900 chariots of iron and he oppressed the people of Israel cruelly for twenty years.
The cycle of sin continues—Israel again turns away from God, and the result is oppression. Without godly leadership, the people fall into rebellion and reap the consequences. Yet even in their unfaithfulness, God is merciful and hears their cries. Jabin’s military strength (900 chariots of iron) seemed insurmountable, but no human power is too great for God to overcome. God’s mercy shines even amid judgment, and He always hears the cries of the truly repentant. This mirrors Romans 5:20—“Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.”
Judges 4:4–5 — Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time. She used to sit under the palm of Deborah… and the people of Israel came up to her for judgment.
In a time when leadership among men faltered, God raised up Deborah, a prophetess and judge. She stands out not only for her wisdom and faith but for her moral courage and spiritual authority. Her role affirms that God equips and uses both men and women for His purposes when they faithfully obey Him. Like Anna the prophetess (Luke 2:36–38) and Priscilla (Acts 18:26), Deborah leads with spiritual clarity and courage in a time of national confusion.
“Throughout the redemptive history we find recorded in the Bible, we see that God often chose to raise up unlikely men and women to rescue His people from their enemies. The story of Deborah is an excellent example of this reality. Here we have a female leader in Israel, which in itself was quite rare, and by the end of the story, we see her prophecy indicating that a woman would rescue Israel —another rare feat—come true.
Deborah lived during the period of the Judges, when Israel was not united as a nation under one leader but rather existed as a loose confederation of tribes. Periodically, the Lord would endow a leader—a judge—in one of these tribes with His Holy Spirit, and that leader would rise to rally the Israelites together to face down a common foe. Deborah judged Israel in the days when Jabin king of Canaan oppressed the Israelites for twenty years. Today’s passage tells us he had a mighty army with “900 chariots of iron” (Judges 4:3), which was the most advanced military technology available at that time. Jabin’s stranglehold on the people was so strong that commerce had virtually ceased. The people did not travel on the highways that carried goods in and out of Palestine because of Jabin’s mighty army (5:6).
God used Deborah to rally the Israelites against Jabin. Humanly speaking, the deck was stacked against Israel, and everyone knew it. General Barak was unwilling to call the Israelites to battle against their Canaanite foes without Deborah “holding his hand,” as it were (4:4–8). Consequently, when the Lord kept His promise to save His people, a woman, rather than the soldiers of Israel, would receive the credit for the victory (vv. 9–10).
Of course, this is exactly what happened. Despite the fact that his army was technologically inferior to Jabin’s, Barak’s force of 10,000 Israelites was able to defeat the Canaanite army. Only Sisera, Jabin’s general was left alive (vv. 11–16). Sisera fled until he came to the home of Jael, the wife of a Kenite with whom Sisera’s kingdom was at peace. But Jael’s ultimate loyalty was not to the Kenites but to Yahweh, the God of Israel, and His people. Jael gave shelter to Sisera, but only so that she could lull him into the place where she could kill him with a tent peg to his head (vv. 17–24). The mightiest general in the region at the time was defeated not by a general but by an “ordinary” housewife.
The Lord does not need mighty men to accomplish his purposes. Often, He delights to use the unexpected to fulfill His will. That is exactly what He did with Deborah and Jael.
Most of us would likely be considered ordinary people who will never make the history books. From a human perspective, we may not seem all that ‘great.’ Yet from God’s perspective, ordinary is what we want to be. He brings about His will through the instrumentality of ordinary people making ordinary decisions such as the best way to teach their children the Bible or how they can reach their next-door neighbor with the gospel. The Lord uses the ordinary to do the extraordinary.” (Ligonier Ministries)
Judges 4:6–7 — She sent and summoned Barak… “Has not the Lord, the God of Israel, commanded you, ‘Go, gather your men… and I will draw out Sisera… and I will give him into your hand’?”
Deborah speaks with prophetic authority, reminding Barak of God’s command and promise. God had already spoken, but Barak needed to be reminded and encouraged. God’s leaders are not inventors of truth but faithful messengers. Like Paul told Timothy, “Preach the word… reprove, rebuke, and exhort” (2 Tim. 4:2). The church today needs leaders who, like Deborah, boldly declare what God has already said.
Judges 4:8–10 — Barak said to her, “If you will go with me, I will go….” And she said, “I will surely go with you. Nevertheless, the road… will not lead to your glory, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.”
Barak’s hesitation reveals a lack of faith in God’s promise. He wants the reassurance of Deborah’s presence more than the assurance of God’s word. Though God grants him victory, the glory goes to another—a woman. This shows that God honors faith, not gender or position. When we hesitate in obedience, we may miss the full measure of the blessing God intends. Yet even then, God’s purposes are not thwarted.
Judges 4:11–17 — Heber the Kenite had separated from the Kenites… Sisera fled away on foot to the tent of Jael… for there was peace between Jabin… and the house of Heber.
In a surprising twist, a non-Israelite woman, Jael, becomes the agent of deliverance. Though there was a treaty between her husband and the enemy, Jael sides with God’s people and acts decisively. Her courage and faith turn the tide of battle. Again, Like Rahab in Jericho, Jael stands as a reminder that God works through unexpected people in unexpected ways to accomplish His redemptive purposes (1 Cor. 1:27–29).
Judges 4:18–22 — Then Jael… took a tent peg, and took a hammer in her hand. Then she went softly to him and drove the peg into his temple… and he died.
Jael’s act is violent and shocking, yet she acts decisively in service of God’s justice. The Bible does not glorify her violence but rather commends her courage and decisive stand for God’s people (Judges 5:24–27). In a time when Israel’s men faltered in faith and action, Jael rises as a heroine. God honors those who take bold steps of obedience when others hesitate.
Judges 4:23–24 — So on that day God subdued Jabin the king of Canaan before the people of Israel. And the hand of the people of Israel pressed harder and harder… until they destroyed Jabin king of Canaan.
The chapter ends with victory not because of military might or strategic genius, but because of God’s mercy and the obedience of a few faithful individuals. God works through Deborah’s faith, Barak’s eventual obedience, and Jael’s boldness to subdue Israel’s enemy. The key to deliverance was not strength, but submission to God’s will. This remains true today—victory in the Christian life comes through faith and obedience, not through power or position.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 23 June 2025: Practice courageous obedience even when others hesitate. Judges 4 shows how God uses those who trust and act on His word—regardless of their status or background. From Deborah’s bold leadership, to Barak’s reluctant faith, to Jael’s decisive action, we see that God’s deliverance comes through those willing to act in faith. What command from God are you hesitating to obey? What step of faith have you delayed, waiting for reassurance? Today, take one concrete action that reflects courageous, Spirit-led obedience. Don’t wait for perfect circumstances or the approval of others. Trust God’s Word, and move forward with bold faith.
Pray: “Lord, help me not to hesitate when You call me. Give me the courage to obey fully and without delay. Let me be like Deborah in leadership, like Jael in courage, and even like Barak in eventually stepping forward in faith. Teach me to trust Your Word more than I trust my fears. Use me in Your story, no matter my role, and let all the glory go to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
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