As the cycle of Judges continue now the oppressor is Jabin the King of Canaan (v1-3). We see something of the stubbornness of Israel as it took twenty years of cruel oppression and the fact that Jabin had a powerful army with 900 iron chariots, before they would eventually cry to the lord. How slow are we to bring our needs to the Lord and trust in His deliverance?

This time the Judge who is raised up is unexpected as it is Deborah who obviously is a woman (v4-5). Deborah calls for Barak to lead an army to victory (v6-7), but he is hesitant (v8) and the result is that while the victory will be secure the glory will go to a woman (v9).

The story of Deborah has caused much discussion in the church over such issues as to whether woman should be ministers or elders. Those matters are different and the Lord is clear about them (1 Timothy 2 v12-15). But there is little doubt that the presence of Deborah and what happened, speaks of the failure of the men of Israel to take the lead they should have. In a society that seeks to blur the differences between males and females, God’s people need to be clear as to what His word teaches and all people, men and women need to be faithful to what God calls them to be and to do.

There is a great victory that occurs by the power of God (v10-16) and the death of the Canaanite commander Sisera is by the lady Jael (v17-22). When the men failed to measure up, thank God for faithful women.