Judges 4:10 - Meaning and Application

Here, first, Barak quickly gathers volunteers and soon has the full number of men ready, Judges 4:10. Deborah had told him to raise an army of 10,000 men (Judges 4:6), and that is exactly how many now stand under his command. They are at his feet, meaning they are ready to obey him and follow wherever he leads. Some think this also means they were all foot soldiers, unlike Sisera’s army, which had horses and chariots, making the difference in strength even greater. Still, God’s presence, along with his prophetess Deborah, was more than enough to balance that difference.

Barak had his men at his feet, which also shows how willing and eager they were to follow him, wherever he went (Revelation 14:4). Though the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali were the main ones depended on, Deborah’s song shows that some men came from other tribes too, including Manasseh and Issachar, while more were expected but did not come from Reuben, Dan, and Asher (Judges 5:14-17). Those details are left out here, and we are simply told that Deborah went up with him to make his 10,000 men truly effective. The note in Judges 4:11 about Heber, one branch of the Kenites, moving from the wilderness of Judah in the south, where they had settled (Judges 1:16), into the northern region, is included because of what will later happen through Jael, who belonged to that family.

Second, when Sisera hears of Barak’s movements, he brings out a large and powerful army (Judges 4:12, Judges 4:13). The text says, “They showed Sisera,” meaning the news was reported to him. Some think the word refers to the Kenites just mentioned in Judges 4:11, who may have warned Sisera about Barak’s meeting place, since there was peace between Jabin and that family at the time (Judges 4:17). Whether they meant to help Sisera or not, their action still helped bring about what God had already said through Deborah, “I will draw Sisera to you” (Judges 4:7).

Sisera’s confidence rested mainly in his chariots, so the text gives special attention to them, 900 chariots of iron. These chariots, with sharp blades attached to their axles, could do terrible harm when driven against foot soldiers. People have shown great skill in inventing ways to destroy one another, all to satisfy the sinful desires from which wars and fights come.

Third, Deborah gives the signal to attack, Judges 4:14. Josephus says that when Barak saw Sisera’s army spread out and trying to surround the mountain where he and his men were camped, Barak’s courage nearly failed, and he wanted to move to a safer place. But Deborah stirred him to come down against Sisera, telling him this was the day chosen in God’s plan for Sisera’s defeat. They now looked most dangerous, but they were actually ready to be ruined. The victory was so certain that it could be spoken of as already done: “The Lord has handed Sisera over to you.”

Notice how the work and honor of this great event are shared between Deborah and Barak. She gives the command as the leader, and he carries it out as the one who acts. In this way God gives his gifts in different ways (1 Corinthians 12:4, etc.). Though usually the man is the head of the woman (1 Corinthians 11:3), God, who gives the Spirit as he pleases, chose here to place the leadership in the woman’s hands. He does this often by choosing the weak things of the world to shame the strong, so that no one may boast before him. Barak was helped greatly by having Deborah with him. She made up what was lacking in his guidance by saying, “This is the day,” and what was lacking in his courage by assuring him of God’s presence: “Has not the Lord gone before you? Do you not dare to follow when God himself leads?”

The lesson is plain. In every undertaking, it is good to be sure that God is going before us, so that we are walking in duty and under his direction. And if we have reason to trust that God is leading, then we should move ahead with courage and gladness. Do not be shaken by the difficulties you face in resisting Satan, serving God, or suffering for him, for has not the Lord gone before you? Then follow him fully.

Fourth, God himself throws Sisera’s army into confusion, Judges 4:15. Barak obeyed Deborah and moved down into the valley, even though that meant leaving the mountain stronghold and facing the enemy on open ground, where the iron chariots would have even more advantage. He trusted God’s power rather than his own safety. Human help cannot save us, not even hills and mountains, but the Lord alone gives salvation to his people (Jeremiah 3:23). Barak was not disappointed in that trust. The Lord routed Sisera’s army.

It was not mainly Barak’s sudden attack that broke their spirit and scattered them, but God struck them with fear and confusion. The stars, it seems, fought against them (Judges 5:20). Josephus says a violent hailstorm blew into their faces, disabling them and driving them back. So they became easy prey for Israel, and Deborah’s words came true: “The Lord has handed them over to you. Now you can deal with them as you choose.”

Fifth, Barak makes full use of his advantage. He follows the victory with boldness and steady effort, chasing the scattered enemy all the way to their commander’s base at Harosheth (Judges 4:16). He leaves alive none of those whom God had handed over for destruction: not a man was left. When God goes before us in our spiritual battles, we must act with energy. And when grace gives us success against the enemies of our souls, we must build on that success with watchfulness and resolve, carrying on the holy war with zeal.