Who were the Judges and the Kings?

Dei Break

Judges 4:1 - 5:31

God's people didn't do well on their own, and after the death of Ehud, they fell back into the same old cycle already described. God allowed King Jabin and General Sisera of Hazor to dominate them for twenty years. The chariots of Hazor are described as "iron". The chariots of Egypt were lightweight for speed and transport of archers. Iron chariots were heavier, often had sharp blades protruding from them, and were used as actual weapons in battle. And King Jabin had 900 of them.

You may recall that Hazor had been destroyed by Joshua. Like most cities conquered in war, its residents reoccupied it and began life again. After about 200 years the city now confronting Israel consisted of the old upper level of about 25 acres. Archaeologists have uncovered its pagan nature by the discovery of a clay cow's liver (one of the animal organs used for divining the future). On it were cuneiform (letters carved in clay) writings depicting various omens.

Deborah, wife and prophetess, was enabled and appointed judge of the people by God. A woman who led the people of Israel! God told her when the time was right to fight Hazor. She informed Israeli general Barak. Though Barak was hesitant, even demanding his female leader accompany him to the battle (4:8), Deborah's message from God was true and the leaders of Hazor were destroyed.

One scholar comments that Jael would have been well qualified as the assassin of Sisera (4:17), since one task for the women of her culture was to pitch the tents at each new camp.

Many people think that women have little place in God's heart or in His plan; or that the God of the Old Testament somehow neglected women and their capabilities. Deborah is an example of the error of either assumption. There will be more as we read through God's word.

The song written by Deborah is Hebrew poetry and one of the oldest surviving Old Testament poems/songs. Meroz, cursed ally in 5:23, is unknown today.

Next time: Gideon and His Fleece