Barak and Deborah: A Model of Faith

In this episode, we will dive into the story of Deborah and Barak from the book of Judges and what it teaches us about real faith in action. I pray that it's an encouraging reminder to trust God even when things feel impossible and to keep growing stronger in faith every day.

Transcript

Episode 33

Barak and Deborah: A Model of Faith

Scripture: Judges 4:1-24; 5:20; Hebrews 11:1

Sending you a warm aloha from Maui, Hawaii! I hope this message inspires you as you listen to the gospel of everlasting hope through Christ Jesus, our Lord. I invite you to join me in a short devotional reflection about our spiritual journey. May it encourage, motivate, and transform you as you seek God's will and strive to obey his word faithfully. I pray you find blessing and renewal as we reflect together. 

Today's scripture, found in Judges 4:1-24 and 5:20, is titled "Deborah and Barak: A Model of Faith."

The exodus of the Israelites from Egypt to the Promised Land is one of the greatest stories ever told regarding the uniqueness of God’s relationship with His chosen people. Here, we can see the real-life drama of how God deals with those who are stiff-necked and bull-headed, despite His unlimited love and daily provisions for them. To them, God is being looked upon as someone who is transcendent, one who is far from them and cannot be reached except through His chosen representative, like Moses. For the Israelites, God is not seen as a father to them but someone who must be revered with fear and obedience; otherwise, death is the ultimate price. God is seen only in terms of their needs and comfort. Faith in God has yet to be established. No wonder they have never learned their lesson during their wilderness journey; instead, they constantly complain, murmur, and grumble against Moses. These are the types of people who easily forget the miracles of God in their lives when their comfort zones are at stake. They rebel when their needs and wants are not met. Because of their uncharacteristic attitude, the Lord would have destroyed them and wiped them out from the earth had it not been for the earnest intervention of Moses on their behalf (Exo. 32). 

Because of this, they were punished for wandering in the wilderness for 45 years. If they went directly to Canaan, they would have spent 1 year coming out of Egypt and 7 years fighting west of the Jordan River. In 8 years, they could have the land. Instead, they wasted 38 years. Joshua chapter 12 is a summary of the total campaign of the Israelites before they conquered Canaan: chapters 1-6 are Moses’ campaign on the east side of the Jordan, while chapters 7-24 are Joshua’s campaign on the west side. All in all, the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 38 years plus 7 years of campaign, or a total of 45 years. That is the price they paid for their sin of rebellion. 

But the story does not end there. When they subdued all their enemies and conquered Canaan, they were unable to possess the entire land. There remains yet very much land to be possessed. God made a promise to them to drive out all the inhabitants of Canaan and give the land to them as their inheritance; and the Lord commanded the Israelites to possess the land, but they failed miserably. Accordingly, after the death of Joshua, “the Israelites lived among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. They took their daughters in marriage and gave their own daughters to their sons, serving their gods (Judges 3:5, 6). When the time arrived that Israel became very strong to vanquish them, they chose not to do so. Instead, they put them under tribute. They blatantly disobeyed God, and instead, they wanted peace at any cost and desired to accumulate wealth, where they became practically materialistic. 

They would rather have worldly affluence than possess the land as promised by God (Joshua 17:13). Therefore, Israel could not control Canaan, and worse of all, they had forgotten God with their idolatry. Sin can never be compromised; there is always a corresponding punishment, even though God is merciful to them. God, in his righteousness, used the Canaanites as thorns on their side, to oppress them for their own good, for them to realize the magnitude of their sin; for them to be reminded of their wickedness and instead turn to God and serve Him only. 

The book of Judges recounts the story of the Israelites' rise and fall, largely due to their sin of idolatry. Every time they sinned, they were being punished by God by using other nations or kingdoms to oppress them until they repented and cried out to Him. Although their inclination is always to disobey God… after a repentant heart… the Lord always delivers them from oppression and saves them by sending judges or deliverers. After Ehud, who delivered them from an 18-year oppression by the Moabites, Israel lived peacefully for a period of 80 years. But after he died, they did evil again in the sight of the Lord, and as a result, God punished them again by using a Canaanite king named Jabin, who oppressed them for a period of 20 years, until they could no longer endure, but cried out for help to the Lord. In His righteousness, God remembers His covenant with their forefathers, and He wouldn’t allow these people to suffer even more after a repentant heart. He then sent another judge named Deborah, a prophetess, to deliver them from this severe oppression. 

In this instant case, the situation here is equivalent today to a war involving a small nation against a superpower; a country that relies mainly on typical armament against a giant nuclear power with weapons of mass destruction. This is the situation, then. How could Israel ever win in this battle against a king armed with iron chariots, which is equivalent to nuclear bombs today? No way! But let us see how God turns the events in their favor.

I have three insights to share with you today regarding the meaning of faith.

First is that: Faith is belief with legs on it 

When Deborah called upon Barak, the commander-in-chief of the army of Israel, to get ready and prepare for war against the king of Canaan, he did not agree with her at once unless she would go with him. This is despite the assurance from the Lord Himself through Deborah commissioning him for a victorious battle. Barak knows too well their capability in fighting against a superior army armed with iron chariots. For him, they are fighting a losing battle, and there is no way they could ever win. 

Barak is no ordinary man. He is the commander of the Israelite’s army. In other words, he is the man of the hour who can be relied upon. There is no other man in Israel who knows more about their military capability than he does. Even Deborah doesn’t know about this. Hers is to settle disputes, aside from being a prophetess. And Barak cannot just take things for granted in facing an army like this one. Reason dictates, and logically, they are not prepared for the war. For him, he knew he could not afford to lose and sacrifice as many people’s lives in a battle that they could never win. No, we cannot judge and disagree with him. 

Barak is also a man of God, and he has a strong faith in the Almighty, as implied in our text; otherwise, he wouldn’t have trusted Deborah in the first place. Remember his response to Deborah when asked to prepare for the battle? “If you go with me, I will go; but if you don’t go with me, I won’t go.” Indeed, Barak should be admired and acknowledged for his civility. He is just prudent. He doesn’t like to take the risk.

But is this the real story? No, my friend, this is not the real story. It is because of fear and fear factor alone that Barak tried to justify his decision not to go alone and prepare for the battle. He needed the presence of Deborah, the woman of God, to be with him on his side. Because of fear, Barak became deaf to the message of hope Deborah was telling him, that is, “the Lord will deliver the Canaanite army with his chariots and troops into his hands.”  Because of fear, Barak missed the promise God had made for their victory. 

Can you identify yourself with Barak in a real-life situation? I tell you, he is the epitome of faith that has no legs on it. It is not a question of whether someone has faith in God. However, it is a question of whether someone has acted upon what they heard and believed.  Take note of what Deborah had told him in verses 6 and 7: “The Lord, the God of Israel, commands you: ‘Go take with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead the way to Mount Tabor. I will lure Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and troops to the Kishon River and give him into your hands.’” But what was his response? In verse 8, it says, “If you go with me, I will go, but if you don’t go with me, I won’t go.” Barak‘s faith was overcome by fear. That is why he told Deborah that. He did not take the risk by acting on what he heard and believed.  He doubted the promise of victory given by God. As a result, Barak did not receive the honor due him, but it was given to someone else —an ordinary woman. What a loss to him!

Indeed, God is not interested in what we say but in what we do. In other words, genuine faith is evident in its deeds. James 2:17 says, “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” Remember Satan? Accordingly, the Bible says that Satan believes there is only one God, and he even trembles. (James 2:19). But what kind of faith does Satan have? He’s a dead faith; a faith that has no legs on it. In contrast, a living faith has legs on it. One that does what he hears and believes. 

Please turn your attention to the book of Psalms 145:18-19. I believe many of you have even memorized these verses. If you notice, there are beautiful promises of God to those who believe and put their trust in them. Please listen carefully as I read, “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. 

Probably, you are in a situation today where you are hardly pressed, or your faith is under severe trial. Don’t be afraid but have courage and take the risk of faith. Claim the promises of God in your life. Stand firm on the ground of faith. Don’t give up but continue to pray earnestly and trust in the Lord. Don’t try to solve your problems by your own self.  Give and leave them all to God and wait for His glory. I tell you in due course he will answer you if you do not give up (Gal. 6:9). This is His promise… have your faith that has legs on it.      

Second, God wants our faith to grow

Barak relied on the capability of his army instead of God. How easily he has forgotten their history; how the Lord God, in the ancient of old, delivered them from the bondage of slavery in Egypt; how He parted the Red Sea for the Israelites to cross over and all of Pharaoh’s pursuing army were drowned; how God provided all their needs and provisions when they were wandering in the scourging heat of wilderness; by providing them a pillar of fire in the night and clouds during the day; by showering them with manna every morning and quail meat for their food; and how He secured and delivered them from all their enemies until they reached and conquered the Promised Land.  

What else would he want to know about God’s miracles he did for them? This should serve enough for him to trust in the Lord rather than in horses and chariots. But one cannot blame Barak. He knows it too well and understands his own limitations. And I can also add, when someone is under great distress, it is hard for that person or any person of sound mind to make a good disposition, which happened to him. 

Their enemy has ruthlessly oppressed Israel for 20 years now, and they have been morally degraded. With this situation, it would be tough for them to regain their confidence to fight against them. It is not that easy for Barak to organize a dispirited army and then wage a war like that. For him, that is no way! They need to secure weapons, for that matter, and somebody should have the moral authority to lead and command the people to follow. That is why he asked Deborah to go with her; otherwise, there was no way he could do it. 

This is precisely what is happening in real-life situations with one’s faith. When one’s desires are fulfilled and wants are met, that person is always on the high road of the spirit and always praises the Lord with the top of his voice. You hear hallelujahs and amen! But you know this is not always the case. Often, they are seldom met. And worst of all, there are situations when one is faced with a blank wall, and seemingly, that’s the end of everything for him because there is no way out. Consequently, stress, disappointments, fear, and discouragement threaten one’s faith. 

My friend, although God does not want you to suffer the same, He allows all sorts of storms in life so that you may glorify His name. God wants you to face a blank wall for you to turn your faith on him alone… instead of depending on your own power, prestige, prosperity, pleasure, or position. In Psalm 20:7 say, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”  That explains well your faith in God.

Let’s be honest, until and after you have experienced and passed through a particular trial in your life, you wouldn’t know what faith in God could do to you. Only a person who has experienced a kind of trial can honestly say, by faith, the reality of God in their life. This is the type of Christian who matures in faith. There will always be growth and development of faith. Indeed, this is what Christianity is all about. It is not enough to attend church every Sunday to fulfill your duty and pay your obligation.  And that’s it; that’s all…! My friend, Christianity should be a lifetime experience with a Living God. Christianity should be felt; something that is alive and kicking; something that grows; something that blossoms; and develops into a full-grown faith!

Like Barak, who kept his association with Deborah, a woman of God, you too need to spend time with the right people for you to mature in your faith. Accordingly, the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 15:33, “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’” In other words, spending your quality time with the right people, especially with those who you know can help impact the growth of your faith. Otherwise, you will fall from the grace of God to your regret. In Proverbs 24: 1, 2 say, “Do not envy wicked men, do not desire their company; for their hearts plot violence and their lips talk about making trouble. 

Indeed, the key to a growing faith is being in the company of godly people who have experienced the reality of God in their lives; those who have weathered great storms of life, big mountains and great valleys of problems, but victoriously overcame them by faith in the Living God. My friend, the Lord, wants you to mature in your faith.

Third and final, faith never doubts but believes the impossible

The Lord assured Barak through Deborah, His prophetess, that He would lead him to defeat Jabin’s army by luring them into the Kishon River. Indeed, the Lord God is always faithful to his promise. The mighty army of King Jabin under the command of his great commander, Sisera, was anxiously waiting for the Israelites to come down at the Kishon River.  But God caused a mighty rain to pour down until the river overflowed and flooded the entire area. Sisera and his 900 iron chariots couldn’t do anything but abandon them following their total defeat. The Bible said, “The Lord routed Sisera and all his chariots and army by sword, and Sisera abandoned his chariot and fled on foot” …until he was finally subdued and killed.

What a lesson we can learn from this story of faith. The person against God has the entire universe against him. In other words, anyone who tries to oppose God or fight against Him will never win but will always fail and be defeated. In their song of victory, Barak and Deborah mentioned in Judges 5:20 that “From the heavens the stars fought, from their courses they fought against Sisera.” Yes, the entire universe is with them in their fight against their enemy because they have put all their trust in the Lord.

Faith in God always prevails, regardless of the opposition. Therefore, stay faithful unto death despite all the challenges you are facing today. God will get involved in your life to win victoriously against Satan, the enemy. Stay faithful, and sin will not win over you. God will give you the strength you need to overcome your battles. You have the entire universe behind you if you put all your trust in the Lord.

In another sense, faith sees what others do not see. Barak didn’t recognize this before, despite the assurance given by the Lord through Deborah. He heard it, but he didn’t believe it. Because Barak was overcome by fear instead of trusting the Lord, he failed to receive the honor due to him. Instead, the scripture tells us that God transferred and gave that honor to an ordinary woman whom He used to kill Sisera, the fearsome commander of King Jabin’s mighty army. In short, it is one thing to believe and another thing to hear. This is faith in action, being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (Heb. .11 1). 

This lesson should serve to encourage you to strengthen your grip of faith even more, especially knowing that the entire universe is behind you when you put all your trust in the Lord. Fear not! This is the message of the Lord for you today. While you are in a harrowing battle of life, do not turn your eyes on the strength of your enemy, but fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith. Hebrews 12:2 says, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…” Where else shall you go and whom else shall you trust except in Jesus Christ alone?

Therefore, God wants your faith to have substance so that you can withstand all trials and tests along your life's journey. God wants you to continue to grow in your Christian life until you reach the maturity of your faith. He wants you to live a life worthy of your calling by making your time always available to Him, especially in associating with the right people who can help you grow together with them in faith. God wants you to see and experience the reality of your faith by giving all your worries, pains, heartaches, fears, and problems to Him. 

Indeed, Jesus Christ is the only hope of the world today. It is through faith in him alone that a difference is made. My friend, time is running out for you to decide to make Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior. What makes you delay committing your life to Him? While the world can offer you prosperity, power, prestige, position, and pleasure, only Jesus Christ can give you true happiness and eternal life. Jesus said in John 6:40, “For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him at the last day.” What a promise of eternal life! Act now and don’t delay it!

Let us pray.

Thank you, dear Father, for this opportunity of sharing your words. I pray that you have blessed people who heard this message. Continue then, Lord, to touch their lives, and that your words will not return empty but bring out good results for the harvest.  Help our faith to grow, especially in the knowledge of your Son, Jesus Christ. May your name be praised and glorified in our lives. In Jesus' name, Amen!

I hope today’s message has been a blessing to you. Please continue to listen and share this message with your loved ones. May you find strength and encouragement as you walk in faith. Thank you for allowing me the privilege of your time. This is your host, Brother Dani Marantan Banggo, encouraging you to keep fighting the good fight of faith. Until we meet again, Mahalo!