As soon as the previous judge, Ehud, died, Israel once again fell into sin. Because of their evil doing, the Lord gave them into the hands of Jabin, king of Canaan. For 20 years, the Israelites suffered under Jabin's commander, Sisera, and Israel finally repented and cried out to the Lord for help. Leading Israel at that time was Deborah. Deborah was unique in that she was a woman. In fact, she was the only woman who led Israel in the time of the Judges. She told Barak to take an army of 10,000 men and lead them against the army of Sisera at Mount Tabor. Barak agreed, but only if Deborah went with him. Deborah said she would go, but the honor of the victory would go to a woman.

On the battlefield, Deborah encouraged Barak with the words, "Has not the Lord gone ahead of you?" Israel routed Sisera's army and his 900 iron chariots. Sisera was the only survivor of that battle. He fled to the tent of Jael, wife of Heber. He thought he was safe there and went to sleep. Jael took a tent peg and hammered it through his temple. Deborah trusted in the Lord. When this one woman trusted in the Lord, a great victory was achieved.


Application: Lord, raise up strong leaders, male and female, who trust you and will lead this nation to you.
One Word: Trust in the Lord