Judges 4:11 – 16 “Now Heber the Kenite had moved away from the Kenites, the descendants of Hobab the father-in-law of Moses, and had pitched his tent by the great tree of Zaanannim, which was near Kedesh. When it was reported to Sisera that Barak son of Abinoam had gone up Mount Tabor, he summoned all nine hundred of his iron chariots and all the men with him, from Harosheth-hagoyim to the River Kishon.
Then Deborah said to Barak, “Arise, for this is the day the LORD has delivered Sisera into your hands. Has not the LORD gone before you?” So Barak came down from Mount Tabor with ten thousand men following him. And in front of him the LORD routed with the sword Sisera, all his charioteers, and all his army. Sisera abandoned his chariot and fled on foot. Barak pursued the chariots and army as far as Harosheth-hagoyim, and the whole army of Sisera fell by the sword; not a single man was left.”
Sisera was sure that he had the Israelites trapped on Mount Tabor. After all, who could stand against iron chariots? But chariots have their limitations; they can’t move well over rough and rocky ground nor do they do well in swamps. The Israelites didn’t have chariots but they probably had men who were deadly accurate with slingshots and others armed with razor sharp sickle – shaped weapons. Catch a horse’s legs with one of those sickles and the horse would be instantly hamstrung. Was it swampy around the River Kishon? Was the river in flood? We aren’t sure, but what we do know is that God went before the Israelites and routed Sisera and all his troops, including those chariots. Sisera’s troops panicked and the Israelites slaughtered them. Once roused, Barak did a thorough job, chasing Sisera’s men all the way back to Sisera’s military camp.
It’s always worthwhile checking out the meanings of Biblical names. ““Kishon means “slaughter” or “dismemberment.” The name “Tabor” means “encampment, misfortune, or bad luck.” In Christian tradition, Mount Tabor is also the site of the transfiguration of Jesus. These names were already assigned before Barak’s battle, but they certainly fit. Perhaps these very names themselves were an encouragement to Barak and his men. Years before this battle took place, God was already preparing the way for Barak’s victory.
APPLICATION: Many times we fail to realize that if God has called us to some great work, He will also help bring it to pass. We must do our part; we must show up and do our best. But once we have shown up and are trying, God can also come to our aid.
The Olympics have just ended and many of the athletes have inspiring stories. Two of my favorites are the Filipino lady weight lifter, Hidilyn Diaz, and Javad Foroughi, an Iranian COVID – 19 frontline nurse who won gold as a marksman. Ms. Diaz was from a very poor family; however, a relative encouraged her to begin lifting weights. Due to COVID restrictions, Ms. Diaz spent the last two years away from her family. Deprived of the weights she needed with which to train, she fashioned her own weights from bamboo rods and water containers. And at the recent Olympics, it was Hidilyn who took gold in her weight group. Mr. Foroughi actually had COVID twice and at one point had to forego training for a month while he recovered. To be able to train in the daytime, Mr. Foroughi worked night shifts in a COVID unit at a government hospital.
Both of these people are sterling examples of fortitude in the face of overwhelming odds. Hidilyn Diaz is a devout Catholic while Javad Foroughi is a devout Muslim. Both competitors prayed openly and gave glory to God as soon as they realized that they had won.
While Olympic gold medals don’t come every day, God gives all of us chances to do His Will and to be victorious in difficult circumstances. I am involved in a prayer group supporting a little boy with a very unusual problem with his immune system. Reading the Facebook posts each day, I can only imagine how harrowing this whole ordeal is for this boy’s family. But they are continuing to give thanks to God and to persevere.
Barak was a very reluctant commander. Given a chance, Barak would much rather have been a lieutenant than a general. But after some foot – dragging, Barak came through, and only dead bodies and the hulks of iron chariots and the carcasses of horses were left to tell the story. God helped Barak even though Barak started out with a bad attitude. And God will help you as well.
PRAYER: Father God, there are many of us being called to do more than we think we can do or want to do. Help us to follow Your leading and not our fears! Help us to love You and to search for Your perfect Will and then to do what You are calling us to do. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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