Deborah - The Judge

Barak came to Deborah the Judge of Israel for directions. She told him:   Behold, the LORD, the God of Israel, has commanded, ‘Go and march to Mount Tabor, and take with you ten thousand men from the sons of Naphtali and from the sons of Zebulun. ‘I will draw out to you Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his many troops to the river Kishon, and I will give him into your hand.’ ”Then Barak said to her, “If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go.” She said, “I will surely go with you; nevertheless, the honor shall not be yours on the journey that you are about to take, for the LORD will sell Sisera into the hands of a woman.” Then Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh.*   Deborah was a great woman of God. She was a messenger for God to Barak who God chose to lead his people against the cruel Canannites. Barak followed Deborah’s directions. But, Barak had some doubt, so he insisted that she join him on the battleground. Even a little doubt can make you stumble from gaining the full reward that God wants to give you. Deborah was also a prophetess. She was able to tell what was going to happen in the future. She told Barak because of his doubt, the honor of defeating the general of the enemy would go to a women, not him. We should all respect the men and women that God has given to guide and instruct us in His word. If we do not, then we will miss out on the full blessing that God wants to give us. The good news is God wants to direct us to a full victory. Special Note: The Old Testament will refer to the descendents of Jacob who were slaves in Egypt as: My people, Hebrews, Sons of Israel, Children of Israel, Israel, Israelites and Jews. Judges 4:6-9 (NASB)

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