Friday, October 17, 2025

Reading 34 | The Bible in 100 Passages

Today's Scripture
Judges 4:1–16

The Israelites again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, after Ehud died. So the Lord sold them into the hand of King Jabin of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor; the commander of his army was Sisera, who lived in Harosheth-ha-goiim. Then the Israelites cried out to the Lord for help; for he had nine hundred chariots of iron, and had oppressed the Israelites cruelly twenty years.

At that time Deborah, a prophetess, wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel. She used to sit under the palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim; and the Israelites came up to her for judgment. She sent and summoned Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali, and said to him, “The Lord, the God of Israel, commands you, ‘Go, take position at Mount Tabor, bringing ten thousand from the tribe of Naphtali and the tribe of Zebulun. I will draw out Sisera, the general of Jabin’s army, to meet you by the Wadi Kishon with his chariots and his troops; and I will give him into your hand.’” Barak said to her, “If you will go with me, I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go.” And she said, “I will surely go with you; nevertheless, the road on which you are going will not lead to your glory, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.” Then Deborah got up and went with Barak to Kedesh.

Barak summoned Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh; and ten thousand warriors went up behind him; and Deborah went up with him. Now Heber the Kenite had separated from the other Kenites, that is, the descendants of Hobab the father-in-law of Moses, and had encamped as far away as Elon-bezaanannim, which is near Kedesh. When Sisera was told that Barak son of Abinoam had gone up to Mount Tabor, Sisera called out all his chariots, nine hundred chariots of iron, and all the troops who were with him, from Harosheth-ha-goiim to the Wadi Kishon. Then Deborah said to Barak, “Up! For this is the day on which the Lord has given Sisera into your hand. The Lord is indeed going out before you.” So Barak went down from Mount Tabor with ten thousand warriors following him. And the Lord threw Sisera and all his chariots and all his army into a panic before Barak; Sisera got down from his chariot and fled away on foot, while Barak pursued the chariots and the army to Harosheth-ha-goiim. All the army of Sisera fell by the sword; no one was left. (NRSV)

Reflection

As I read this familiar story, I was surprised that it brought comfort. The world that exists today feels similar to this story in Judges. The air feels oppressive. We are surrounded by the “chariots” of this age — weapons that seem unbeatably strong, enemies who have beaten us before. Fear and worry are threads that weave in and out of my day. This passage resets my thinking in a few ways.

First, I am reminded that the unlikeliest of heroes can change the most hopeless of scenarios for good. The fact that Deborah was a judge, prophetess, and military leader in a society run by men is astounding. Her faithfulness to God and her complete trust in God is compelling and convicting.

Second, I am reminded that how I respond to the day’s events controls my attitude toward God and to what is happening. If, like Barak in the text, I allow fear to take over, then that attitude rules the day. I, too, can become petulant, timid, unwilling to trust.

However, if I chose courage in the midst of the fear as Deborah did, I can trust “the Lord goes before me.” I can find ways to make a difference, lead others, and wade through the chaos. I can suddenly see solutions to problems, ways to help people, even the courage to take a stand for justice.

It is easy to be a Monday-morning quarterback in this story. What resonates with me is how effortless it is to be like Barak and be reactive in the moment. Choosing courage and a better attitude takes intention and practice. This means hard conversations with God about having courage even when I am afraid, choosing to have my eyes and heart open to the realities around me, and trusting God will have me ready when I am to act on God’s behalf. What I love about these stories is that they remind me of the moments God made the “impossible” happen in my life. May it continue to be so.

Prayer

Lord, I believe. Help me in my unbelief! Help me to take that first step, even when I can’t see where I am walking. May your love be what leads me. Amen.

Written by Nancy Bartell, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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