Barak [Beh-rak]: Son of Abinoam
We continue our study with the Book of Judges by moving further into Chapter 4. We are following a six-week Bible Study by Katie M. Reid entitled, “God, What Do I do?” This study is based on the Book of Judges, Chapters 1-5, and we are digging into what these lessons teach us about making wise decisions in uncertain times.
Today, we are studying Judges 4:6-10 NLT and our focus is, “God, What Do I Do When I’m Intimidated?”
When you are feeling intimidated by a situation or a person, is your response more likely to be to shrink back or dig your heels in and steamroll ahead? In our reading today Deborah the prophetess senses a battle raging and she summons Barak to follow the commands of God.
According to the article “What Does Scripture Teach About the Office of Prophet and Gift of Prophecy” by pastor Sam Storms,
“A prophet’s primary function in the Old Testament was to serve as God’s representative or ambassador by communicating God’s word to his people. True prophets never spoke on their own authority or shared their personal opinions, but rather delivered the message God himself gave them.”Deborah was God’s mouthpiece to Barak who was to deploy the troops to Mount Tabor in the Jezreel Valley. This valley is the “honey” of Israel. The Mount of Precipice is midway between Mount Tabor and Megiddo.
Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, cruelly oppressed the Israelites—holding them for two decades in captivity under the iron chariots and his iron fist. I’m sure Barak was unsettled and intimidated by Sisera’s military strength, but he prepared to move forward and obey God anyway. Deborah obeyed, Barak obeyed, and it influenced ten thousand men to follow him into battle. When we decide to obey God it has a ripple effect.
Judges 4:6-10 NLT 6 One day she sent for Barak son of Abinoam, who lived in Kedesh in the land of Naphtali. She said to him, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, commands you: Call out 10,000 warriors from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun at Mount Tabor. 7 And I will call out Sisera, commander of Jabin’s army, along with his chariots and warriors, to the Kishon River. There I will give you victory over him.”
8 Barak told her, “I will go, but only if you go with me.”
9 “Very well,” she replied, “I will go with you. But you will receive no honor in this venture, for the Lord’s victory over Sisera will be at the hands of a woman.” So Deborah went with Barak to Kedesh. 10 At Kedesh, Barak called together the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali, and 10,000 warriors went up with him. Deborah also went with him.
Truth: When you feel intimidated, decide to rise up instead of shrinking back, and others will do the same.
Prayer: Lord, life can present many challenging and intimidating situations. Sometimes we face people who are all too happy to run over us to gain power. Instead of feeling intimated, help us remember our identity as Your children and to follow Your commands of love. We do not need to shrink back, we need to rise up, trust You, and stand for truth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.