Story: Deborah (Judges)

The Torch Woman

She was a woman to be reckoned with. Some translate her name as meaning she was the wife of Lappidoth, while other say it means the “Woman of Torches”. This is for sure, things really heated up when you were around Deborah.

Deborah could be found on most days by a palm tree where people traveled from miles around to hear her words. She was wise and settled disputes among the Israelites. Lately, many of the words of the Israelites began to sound the same. They wanted to be free.

For twenty years, King Jabin had oppressed Israel. He kept them in line with the threat of his mighty general Sisera who had 900 iron chariots at his command. Chariots seem quaint now, but then they were the latest in war weapons. Just think, the chariot’s platform raised archers above the battleground, they could shoot from a farther distance, and get away quickly, if need be, to regroup and fight again. Some say there were like tanks because they protected their drivers with armor and had deadly firing power from the arrows. Those chariots gave General Sisera a mighty advantage over the foot soldiers of Israel.

Deborah called for Barak and told him God had commanded him to raise an army of 10,000 men to fight General Sisera and his army. Barak knew the fear that the Israelite men had of Sisera’s forces. He looked at Deborah and told her that the only way he would go into battle would be if she went too. It wasn’t because Deborah was a master of battle with a great bow finger and deadly aim with an arrow. No, it was because she could give the army courage and improve their morale. That was something those men desperately needed to go against 900 iron chariots.

Deborah agreed to go but told Barak that the glory of his victory would be given to a woman instead of himself.

Barak gathered his army and marched to the Kishon River. Sisera didn’t take long to answer the call of rebellion. He mustered his forces and met Barak. Before any swords could clash, the river itself grew beyond its normal banks. It was a flash flood. It came out of nowhere and turned the once dry ground into a muddy, boggy mess. The wheels of those 900 chariots slowed to a crawl as they sunk into the saturated earth and the horses strained to get them to move an inch.

Barak and his army made easy work of Sisera’s soldiers. Without their chariots, they were confused and lost their ability to fight as a unified force. Soon the Israelites had wiped out their entire force except for one. When General Sisera’s chariot had bogged down in the mud, he made a run for it. He deserted his forces on the battlefield and made for safety.

Nearby, lived a man named Heber who preferred to live in the country instead of in town. Heber was at peace with King Jabin, so Sisera expected to be sheltered. Heber was not home that day, instead his wife Jael was there. She welcomed Sisera in, and when he asked for water while he was catching his breath, she brought him milk in a leather bag. He took a long drink and asked to be hidden. Jael hid him, either behind a curtain or under a rug while Sisera gave her instructions that if anyone came asking for him, he was not there.

That milk soothed Sisera because soon he fell asleep in his hiding place. Jael saw her opportunity. She grabbed a hammer and a tent stake. She crept over to Sisera and she found his head. Think hammer, tent stake, and a head and you get the picture of how the evil general Sisera met his end that day.

Later, Barak came to the tent in search of Sisera and Jael showed him where he was. Jael turned out to be the woman that Deborah prophesied would receive the glory of defeating Sisera when Barak insisted on Deborah’s presence in battle.

The people of Israel were free. They were blessed with the wisdom of the fiery Deborah while enjoying their liberty for forty years after this battle.