Judges 4 – Having Courage in the Face of Adversity

Reverend Leo H. McCrary II

Judges 4 shows us that if we’re going to walk with God, we must walk with courage, as the journey to the kingdom is a difficult journey.

Introduction

When you walk in fellowship with God, something that you will learn is that you must be willing to go wherever He directs you.  Scripture often shows us that those whom the Lord directs often end up having difficult paths, of which I can also testify.  Yet, you must not fear wherever the Lord directs you–you must be of good courage.  In this week’s study of Judges 4, we’re going to study the courageous faith of Deborah so that we can learn what it takes to have courage in trying times.

Judges 4 – The Cycle of Sin Continues

Judges 4 opens with what has become a very familiar phrase as we’ve pored over scripture in this wonderful book.  Judges 4:1 tells us that the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord again, following the death of Ehud.  Before we dive into specific scripture, there are a few things I want to first highlight about this chapter.

Something I should note is that this is another new generation of Israel from the previous chapter.  Let’s keep in mind that Judges 3 covered multiple generations.  After Othniel, the first judge, led the people, Judges 3:11 tells us that the land rested for forty years.  Over a span of 40 years, we can say that two generations will coexist, with one other maybe passing away.

After being freed by Ehud, the land rested again for 80 years (Judg. 3:30). So we’re entering the territory where, at a minimum, 5 generations may have passed by the time of Judges 4.  What Judges 4 shows us is that Israel’s cycle of sin was generational, which, frankly speaking, is true for all of mankind, as sin repeats itself generation after generation. 

Judges 4:2 tells us that God sold Israel into the hands of Jabin, the king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor.  He harshly oppressed this generation of Israel for twenty years.  Over that time frame, Judges 4:3 tells us that once again, another generation of Israel cried out to God, again, repeating the cycle. 

Do you think God grows tired of His children crying out to Him when we’ve found ourselves in trouble?  Do you think He grows weary when we cry out for Him to have mercy on us?   

Judges 4:6-8 – Faith Paralyzed by Fear and Doubt

Now, while we’re going to focus a great deal on Deborah in this study, I want to set up what makes her faith so special by focusing attention on the faith of Barak.  

In Judges 4:6, we will see that Deborah said to Barak, “Has not the Lord God of Israel commanded, ‘Go and deploy troops at Mount Tabor; take with you ten thousand men of the sons of Naphtali and of the sons of Zebulun; and against you I will deploy Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his multitude at the River Kishon; and I will deliver him into your hand’?”

This verse tells us that Barak had received a commission (a task) from God, but he had not carried out the assignment.  Because he had failed to complete his assignment, Deborah and, therefore, God, rebuked Barak.  Because he had not carried out the assignment, his people remained under the hand of Jabin.

To be clear, Barak has been promised victory by God over Jabin and his army!  So now, we have to answer the question as to why Barak had not completed God’s assignment.

In Judges 4:3, we are told that Jabin’s army had nine hundred chariots of iron.  Chariots of iron were a problem for the children of Israel during the conquest of Canaan, as they were not physically equipped to overcome those chariots of iron.  I’ll remind you that we saw this before in Judges 1:19, when Judah couldn’t drive out the inhabitants of the lowland (the Philistines) because they had chariots of iron.

If Judah had moved in obedience, they would have overcome the Philistines’ chariots of iron.  Israel, had they remained faithful and trusted in the Lord, they would have overcome Jabin’s chariots of iron.  Barak didn’t desire to move against Jabin, not just because he feared going against Jabin’s nine hundred chariots, but because he doubted he would be successful.  

Fear is rather interesting in that there are different kinds of fear.  For example, fearing God’s punishment and wrath leads one to live in a manner that will please Him.  So, in other words, there is the kind of fear where we fear the worst might happen, and we take measures to prevent the worst from happening. 

Then there is the fear of the unknown, which frightens and causes one to act irrationally.  For example, the Pharaoh feared what Israel could become, and so he enslaved them (Ex. 1:8-11); something similar is still happening today. 

Then there is the kind of fear that leads to one being so afraid to do something that they won’t even bother trying; fear has gotten the best of them.  This is the kind of fear that leads to doubt, and doubt is the paralyzer of faith.  The believer must understand that when they doubt what they can do, that doubt is also transferred to what God can do.  

Years and years ago, there was a guy who told me that God’s weakness is chariots of iron, and he pointed to scripture like this as proof.  God has no weaknesses.  Weakness was Barak’s lack of faith, which hurt not just him but also kept Israel in bondage.  

In Judges 4:8, we will see that Barak, from that place of fear and doubt, ended up responding to Deborah, saying, “If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go.”  In his mind, he was likely thinking that a woman wouldn’t have the guts to meet Jabin’s army on the battlefield, but little did he know.

Judges 4:9 – Rebuking Fear, Doubt, and Cowardice

With God, all things are possible, especially overcoming some chariots of iron (Luke 1:37).  If you desire to walk in fellowship with God, then you must not let fear and doubt settle in.  

Anytime I teach about Deborah, courageous faith immediately comes to mind because she is one of the most courageous believers found in scripture.  I’d say the courage she had in faith was amongst the likes of those like Abraham, David, Daniel, and his friends.  They were all people who stood with courage in the face of great adversity.

Barak may have thought that Deborah, being a woman, would not move.  However, in Judges 4:9, she responded, “I will surely go with you; nevertheless, there will be no glory for you in the journey you are taking, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman (Judg. 4:9).”  

Deborah saying, “I will surely go,” does not sound like fear, does it?  Let’s make no mistake about this, Deborah is unafraid of moving!  Her response to Barak also included another rebuke of his fear and cowardice, as she said, “There will be no glory for you.”  To this day, Deborah is remembered for her courage, and Barak for his fear and cowardice.  

Courage will be needed for the journey

Scripture makes it clear that God honors and glorifies those who are of faith and move in it.  Jesus taught that the day will come when the Lord will say to those who moved in faith, “Well done, good and faithful servant (Matt. 25:21).”  

In Hebrews 6:10, the writer of the epistle wrote, “God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”  God will reward your faithful living.

Paul, in his first letter to the Corinthians, spoke about how those who are of sincere faith will one day be rewarded with the imperishable crown (1 Cor. 9:25) – the crown of life (Jas. 1:12).  Our eternal reward is shown to us in Revelation 21-22, when we, the faithful believer, will inherit the new day, dwelling in the kingdom prepared for us (John 14:2).

Here’s what I want you to understand: it will take much courage to follow Christ on this journey.  Don’t think for one second that the journey is going to be an easy one.  Christ told one who desired to follow Him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Yes, David said in Psalm 23:1-2 that God was his shepherd and He led him beside still waters, rather than troubled waters.  Yet, in Psalm 23:4, David also spoke of having walked in the valley of the shadow of death.  That doesn’t sound all that pleasant of a place to walk in, does it?

A need to lead by example

Now, let me ask you this:  Do you think Deborah was wrong for constantly rebuking Barak?  I don’t!

As Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.”  We are to sharpen each other, and oftentimes, such sharpening comes in the form of rebuke.  

We can’t be afraid to rebuke others!  In his second letter to Timothy, Paul wrote, “Be ready in season and out of season.  Convince, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and teaching (2 Tim. 4:2).”

To the Ephesian believers, Paul wrote that rebuke is necessary for edification–teaching, improving, and uplifting.  You and I cannot stand by when one of our brothers and sisters in Christ is filled with fear and doubt.  Let us not talk down to them, but rather, as Deborah is doing, let us lead by example!

Judges 4:12-15 – Deborah’s Unwavering Faith

So, Deborah went with Barak from Ephraim to Kedesh (Judg. 4:9).  In Kedesh, Barak called on Zebulun and Naphtali to gather together and go up with him to Mount Tabor.  Altogether, Judges 4:10 tells us ten thousand men from Zebulun and Naphtali were under Barak and Deborah’s command.

In Judges 4:11, we are told that a man of the people of Moses’ father-in-law, the Kenites, gave word to the army of Jabin about how Barak and his people had gone up Mount Tabor.  That information led to the commander of Jabin’s army of nine hundred chariots of iron getting them into position to battle Barak.

 When I picture this scene in my head, I often picture that Barak may have still been a bit shaken at the sight of the nine hundred chariots of iron.  In fact, I believe that his troop of ten thousand may have been a bit shaken as well.  Yet, in Judges 4:14, Deborah is standing full of courage, shouting to him, “Up!  For this is the day in which the Lord has delivered Sisera into your hand!”

Now, for those of you who may think that iron is a weakness for God, Judges 4:15 tells us that God routed Jabin’s commander and all his army and their chariots.  The battle had gone so badly for Jabin’s army that his commander literally tried to run for his life!  When we rely on God to lead us and fight for us, the enemy cannot withstand Him; nonetheless overcome Him.

Where Courage Comes From

You have to imagine that once Jabin and his army of iron chariots were finally defeated, people like Barak sat back and wondered why they were so afraid to move.  It often seems to work that way with things we are so worried about, doesn’t it?

All Israel ever needed to overcome those chariots of iron was a little bit of courage.  All we ever need to overcome our chariots of iron is just a little bit of courage.  So, how does one develop the courage to be able to move in the face of adversity?  You see, it is one thing for us to say that we believe in God, but it is a different story when it comes to moving in faith.

The company you keep

As I mentioned earlier in this study, the story of Deborah and Barak is a testimony to Deborah’s courage and how it uplifted Barak and freed her people.  There is no doubt that, as she did for Barak, we are able and should do for others.

Let us consider that within the congregation, in Old Testament times, prophets, judges, and elders held positions meant to encourage others to move in faith.  In the local congregation today, pastors, ministers, deacons, and mothers take on the role of spiritual leadership.  Spiritual leaders are to guide and to uplift, to encourage and to motivate.

However, in Hebrews 10:24-25, the writer of the epistle tells us to consider one another, assembling together, so that we may stir up love and good works, exhorting (encouraging) one another.  What this means is that every member of the church body can uplift one another. 

I often speak about the fact that when God made man, He did not leave man alone, and when God made woman, He did not put her on a different planet.  Mankind was made to live and to flourish together.  Genesis 1:28 is very clear in that God made mankind to be fruitful together, rather than apart.

So, when we move in a manner that oppresses another, we ought to understand that it goes against the reason why God made man.  Now, someone may point to slavery and speak of God condoning slavery.  Yet, when slavery appears in scripture, it is shown to be evil.  God freed His people from slavery repeatedly in scripture, including giving His only begotten Son to free mankind from the bondage of sin.  

Built up through trials and tribulations

Now, you’re not going to start your faith journey by being the most courageous.  Courage is something that every believer builds up over time.  For example, if you read Judges 5, the song of Deborah provides a bit of background about Deborah before she took on her role as a “mother in Israel”.  

Deborah’s age is not provided in scripture, but the implication is that she was of an age where she had seen and gone through some things.  The courage she had in the face of adversity was built up over time through other adversities she likely had faced.  Let me make this clear:  You are going to face adversity.  In John 16:33, Jesus makes it very clear that all of His followers will have trials and tribulations.

Trials and tribulations, adversity, are often despised, especially by those who are first starting on their faith journey, yet they ought not be despised.  Take it from someone who has also seen and gone through some things in his faith journey, trials and tribulations will only strengthen you.

James 1:2-4 speaks of how the testing of our faith helps to produce patience – that is, confidence and courage.  James said, “Let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete.”

There are several times when we traverse through new adversity rather easily because previous adversities strengthened us.  There are times when we see others facing adversity, and we become their wise counsel because we have gained the wisdom from the adversity we have faced.

Strengthened by God

When we are patient and strengthened in our trials and tribulations, it is because we’ve waited on God to move and to deliver us.  

I think of what Paul told the Corinthians about his thorn in the flesh.  In 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Paul spoke about how he cried out to God multiple times about something he was going through.  The Lord responded to him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”

In Proverbs 1:5-6, Solomon stated, “A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, to understand a proverb and an enigma, the words of the wise and their riddles.”  Yes, while we may turn to others to help uplift us, God should always be the first one we consult.

Your courage will be further strengthened the more and more you learn to lean on God.  It will get to a point on this journey that when adversity arises, you will know that God is with you, and that you will overcome–this is confidence.  Deborah wasn’t hesitant about what God would do; she was confident, and that confidence is what fed her courage to stand tall.

The courage you have in God speaks to your level of faith.  Now, just because one has courageous faith, that doesn’t mean they will never be afraid.  All of us will be afraid in certain circumstances, but those of courageous faith will be quicker to step out on faith, putting their hand into God’s hands.

So, here is the goal for all of us today:  learn to put our hand into God’s hand and step out on faith.  God, you should always remember, has promised you the victory, so there is no need to be so afraid that you won’t step out on faith!  Take the step and trust that God will deliver you.