INTRODUCTION: After the death of Ehud, the Israelites begin again to do what is right in their own eyes. As is often the case, what is right in the eyes of man is evil in the eyes of the Lord. The evil deeds of the Israelites must, as in the past, bring an enemy upon them. This time the enemy is the king of Canaan and his captain Sisera. Once again the children of Israel cry out to God for deliverance, and once again God delivers, only this time the deliverance begins and ends with a woman.

1. THE OPPRESSION OF ISRAEL BY CANAAN (Judges 4:1-3 [1] And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, when Ehud was dead. [2] And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host was Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles. [3] And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel.
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1. The Death of Ehud (Judges 4:1And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, when Ehud was dead.
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2. The Oppression of Israel (Judges 4:2And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host was Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles.
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1. The Lord sold the Israelites into the hand of Jabin, the king of Canaan.
2. The king reigned in Hazor.
3. The captain of the host was Sisera who dwelt in Harosheth.
3. The Cry for Deliverance (Judges 4:3And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel.
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1. The children of Israel cried unto the Lord.
2. Sisera had nine hundred chariots of iron.
3. Canaan oppressed the children of Israel for twenty years.
2. DEBORAH AND BARAK GO TO MEET SISERA (Judges 4:4-9 [4] And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time. [5] And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment. [6] And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun? [7] And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand. [8] And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go. [9] And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.
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1. Deborah’s Help Is Sought (Judges 4:4-5 [4] And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time. [5] And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.
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1. Deborah was a judge of Israel (Judges 4:4And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.
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1. She was a prophetess.
2. She was the wife of Lapidoth.
2. The children of Israel came to her for help (Judges 4:5And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.
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1. She dwelt under a palm tree.
2. She was between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim.
3. The children of Israel came to her for judgment.
2. Barak’s Cooperation Requested (Judges 4:6-9 [6] And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun? [7] And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand. [8] And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go. [9] And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.
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1. Deborah calls upon Barak for involvement (Judges 4:6-7 [6] And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun? [7] And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand.
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1. Deborah asks of the Lord’s will concerning Barak (Judges 4:6And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?
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1. Barak is the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali.
2. Deborah expects that the Lord has given Barak a plan.
1. He is to draw toward mount Tabor.
2. He is to take ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun.
2. Deborah speaks of her involvement (Judges 4:7And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand.
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1. She will draw Sisera to the river Kishon.
2. She will deliver Sisera into Barak’s hand.
2. Barak enlists under certain terms (Judges 4:8And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go.
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1. If Deborah will go, then Barak will go.
2. If Deborah will not go, then Barak will not go.
3. Deborah agrees to the terms (Judges 4:9And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.
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1. Deborah assures Barak that she will go.
2. Deborah explains to Barak that the Lord intends on selling Sisera into the hand of a woman.
3. BARAK DEFEATS THE ARMY OF SISERA (Judges 4:10-16 [10] And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh; and he went up with ten thousand men at his feet: and Deborah went up with him. [11] Now Heber the Kenite, which was of the children of Hobab the father in law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent unto the plain of Zaanaim, which is by Kedesh. [12] And they shewed Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam was gone up to mount Tabor. [13] And Sisera gathered together all his chariots, even nine hundred chariots of iron, and all the people that were with him, from Harosheth of the Gentiles unto the river of Kishon. [14] And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this is the day in which the LORD hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the LORD gone out before thee? So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him. [15] And the LORD discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his host, with the edge of the sword before Barak; so that Sisera lighted down off his chariot, and fled away on his feet. [16] But Barak pursued after the chariots, and after the host, unto Harosheth of the Gentiles: and all the host of Sisera fell upon the edge of the sword; and there was not a man left.
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1. Barak Moves into Position (Judges 4:10And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh; and he went up with ten thousand men at his feet: and Deborah went up with him.
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1. Barak calls the men of Zebulun and Naphtali, ten thousand in number.
2. Barak and his men move into Kedesh.
3. Deborah goes with him.
2. Barak’s Position Is Revealed to Sisera (Judges 4:11-12 [11] Now Heber the Kenite, which was of the children of Hobab the father in law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent unto the plain of Zaanaim, which is by Kedesh. [12] And they shewed Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam was gone up to mount Tabor.
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1. Heber the Kenite (Judges 4:11Now Heber the Kenite, which was of the children of Hobab the father in law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent unto the plain of Zaanaim, which is by Kedesh.
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1. He was one of the children of Hobab.
2. He separated himself from the Kenites.
3. He pitched his tent in the plain of Zaanaim.
2. Friend turned foe (Judges 4:12And they shewed Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam was gone up to mount Tabor.
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1. Heber communicates with the enemy of Israel.
2. He informs them of Barak’s whereabouts.
3. Sisera Moves into Position (Judges 4:13And Sisera gathered together all his chariots, even nine hundred chariots of iron, and all the people that were with him, from Harosheth of the Gentiles unto the river of Kishon.
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1. He prepares for war.
2. He moves from Harosheth unto the river of Kishon.
4. Barak Defeats the Enemy (Judges 4:14-16 [14] And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this is the day in which the LORD hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the LORD gone out before thee? So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him. [15] And the LORD discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his host, with the edge of the sword before Barak; so that Sisera lighted down off his chariot, and fled away on his feet. [16] But Barak pursued after the chariots, and after the host, unto Harosheth of the Gentiles: and all the host of Sisera fell upon the edge of the sword; and there was not a man left.
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1. Deborah and Barak make their move (Judges 4:14And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this is the day in which the LORD hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the LORD gone out before thee? So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him.
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1. Deborah encourages Barak to begin.
2. Barak moves down from mount Tabor with his men.
2. The Lord discomfits Sisera (Judges 4:15-16 [15] And the LORD discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his host, with the edge of the sword before Barak; so that Sisera lighted down off his chariot, and fled away on his feet. [16] But Barak pursued after the chariots, and after the host, unto Harosheth of the Gentiles: and all the host of Sisera fell upon the edge of the sword; and there was not a man left.
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1. Sisera runs for his life (Judges 4:15And the LORD discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his host, with the edge of the sword before Barak; so that Sisera lighted down off his chariot, and fled away on his feet.
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1. The Lord overthrows the army with the edge of the sword.
2. Sisera lights down off his chariot and flees on his feet.
2. The host of Sisera falls (Judges 4:16But Barak pursued after the chariots, and after the host, unto Harosheth of the Gentiles: and all the host of Sisera fell upon the edge of the sword; and there was not a man left.
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1. Barak pursues the army unto Harosheth.
2. All the host of Sisera fall.
4. SISERA IS KILLED BY JAEL (Judges 4:17-22 [17] Howbeit Sisera fled away on his feet to the tent of Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite: for there was peace between Jabin the king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite. [18] And Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said unto him, Turn in, my lord, turn in to me; fear not. And when he had turned in unto her into the tent, she covered him with a mantle. [19] And he said unto her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water to drink; for I am thirsty. And she opened a bottle of milk, and gave him drink, and covered him. [20] Again he said unto her, Stand in the door of the tent, and it shall be, when any man doth come and enquire of thee, and say, Is there any man here? that thou shalt say, No. [21] Then Jael Heber's wife took a nail of the tent, and took an hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground: for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died. [22] And, behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said unto him, Come, and I will shew thee the man whom thou seekest. And when he came into her tent, behold, Sisera lay dead, and the nail was in his temples.
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1. Sisera Seeks Refuge among Friends (Judges 4:17-20 [17] Howbeit Sisera fled away on his feet to the tent of Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite: for there was peace between Jabin the king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite. [18] And Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said unto him, Turn in, my lord, turn in to me; fear not. And when he had turned in unto her into the tent, she covered him with a mantle. [19] And he said unto her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water to drink; for I am thirsty. And she opened a bottle of milk, and gave him drink, and covered him. [20] Again he said unto her, Stand in the door of the tent, and it shall be, when any man doth come and enquire of thee, and say, Is there any man here? that thou shalt say, No.
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1. Sisera flees to the tent of Jael (Judges 4:17Howbeit Sisera fled away on his feet to the tent of Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite: for there was peace between Jabin the king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite.
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1. Jael is the wife of Heber the Kenite.
2. This is the same Heber who reported of Barak’s whereabouts (Judges 4:11-12 [11] Now Heber the Kenite, which was of the children of Hobab the father in law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent unto the plain of Zaanaim, which is by Kedesh. [12] And they shewed Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam was gone up to mount Tabor.
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3. There was peace between the king of Canaan and the house of Heber.
2. Jael offers Sisera refuge (Judges 4:18-19 [18] And Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said unto him, Turn in, my lord, turn in to me; fear not. And when he had turned in unto her into the tent, she covered him with a mantle. [19] And he said unto her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water to drink; for I am thirsty. And she opened a bottle of milk, and gave him drink, and covered him.
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1. Jael offers a hiding place for Sisera (Judges 4:18And Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said unto him, Turn in, my lord, turn in to me; fear not. And when he had turned in unto her into the tent, she covered him with a mantle.
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2. Jael ministers to the needs of Sisera (Judges 4:18-19 [18] And Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said unto him, Turn in, my lord, turn in to me; fear not. And when he had turned in unto her into the tent, she covered him with a mantle. [19] And he said unto her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water to drink; for I am thirsty. And she opened a bottle of milk, and gave him drink, and covered him.
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1. She covers him with a mantle (Judges 4:18And Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said unto him, Turn in, my lord, turn in to me; fear not. And when he had turned in unto her into the tent, she covered him with a mantle.
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2. She gives him milk to drink (Judges 4:19And he said unto her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water to drink; for I am thirsty. And she opened a bottle of milk, and gave him drink, and covered him.
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3. Sisera asks Jael to cover for him (Judges 4:20Again he said unto her, Stand in the door of the tent, and it shall be, when any man doth come and enquire of thee, and say, Is there any man here? that thou shalt say, No.
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1. He asks that she stand in the door of the tent and wait for anyone who might ask of his whereabouts.
2. He asks her to tell them that he is not in her tent.
2. Friend Turns to Foe (Judges 4:21-22 [21] Then Jael Heber's wife took a nail of the tent, and took an hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground: for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died. [22] And, behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said unto him, Come, and I will shew thee the man whom thou seekest. And when he came into her tent, behold, Sisera lay dead, and the nail was in his temples.
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1. Jael kills Sisera (Judges 4:21Then Jael Heber's wife took a nail of the tent, and took an hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground: for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died.
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1. Sisera has fallen asleep.
2. She gathers a nail of the tent and a hammer.
3. She drives the nail into his temples and fastens it into the ground.
2. Jael informs Barak of Sisera’s death (Judges 4:22And, behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said unto him, Come, and I will shew thee the man whom thou seekest. And when he came into her tent, behold, Sisera lay dead, and the nail was in his temples.
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1. Jael comes out to meet Barak as he pursues after Sisera.
2. She informs him that she has the man for whom he is searching.
3. Barak enters to find Sisera dead with the nail in his temples.
5. THE LAND HAD REST FROM THE CANAANITES (Judges 4:23-24 [23] So God subdued on that day Jabin the king of Canaan before the children of Israel. [24] And the hand of the children of Israel prospered, and prevailed against Jabin the king of Canaan, until they had destroyed Jabin king of Canaan.
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1. The Lord Subdued the King of Canaan (Judges 4:23So God subdued on that day Jabin the king of Canaan before the children of Israel.
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2. The Children of Israel Prospered (Judges 4:24And the hand of the children of Israel prospered, and prevailed against Jabin the king of Canaan, until they had destroyed Jabin king of Canaan.
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CONCLUSION: The people of God are the epitome of unfaithfulness, yet the Lord is the epitome of faithfulness. How can such a relationship exist? The answer is found in Lamentations 3:22It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
See All..., “It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.”