32
Daughters of God
The Lord communicated to Deborah His purpose to destroy the
enemies of Israel, and bade her send for a man named Barak, of the
tribe of Naphtali, and make known to him the instructions which she
had received. She accordingly sent for Barak, and directed him to
assemble ten thousand men of the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun, and
make war upon the armies of King Jabin.
Barak knew the scattered, disheartened, and unarmed condition of
the Hebrews, and the strength and skill of their enemies. Although
he had been designated by the Lord Himself as the one chosen to
deliver Israel, and had received the assurance that God would go with
him and subdue their enemies, yet he was timid and distrustful. He
accepted the message from Deborah as the word of God, but he had
little confidence in Israel, and feared that they would not obey his call.
He refused to engage in such a doubtful undertaking unless Deborah
would accompany him, and thus support his efforts by her influence
and counsel. Deborah consented, but assured him that because of his
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lack of faith, the victory gained should not bring honor to him; for
Sisera would be betrayed into the hands of a woman....
The Israelites had established themselves in a strong position in the
mountains, to await a favorable opportunity for an attack. Encouraged
by Deborah’s assurance that the very day had come for signal victory,
Barak led his army down into the open plain, and boldly made a
charge upon the enemy. The God of battle fought for Israel, and
neither skill in warfare, nor superiority of numbers and equipment,
could withstand them. The hosts of Sisera were panic-stricken; in their
terror they sought only how they might escape. Vast numbers were
slain, and the strength of the invading army was utterly destroyed. The
Israelites acted with courage and promptness; but God alone could
have discomfited the enemy, and the victory could be ascribed to Him
alone.
When Sisera saw that his army was defeated, he left his chariot,
and endeavored to make his escape on foot, as a common soldier.
Approaching the tent of Heber, one of the descendants of Jethro, the
fugitive was invited to find shelter there. In the absence of Heber,
Jael, his wife, courteously offered Sisera a refreshing draught, and
opportunity for repose, and the weary general soon fell asleep.
Jael was at first ignorant of the character of her guest, and she
resolved to conceal him; but when she afterward learned that he was