Deborah Part II: The Woman of Strength

00:00:00 Speaker 1: Previously on the chosen people. Before the breaker of Chain's cane, the Lord would send lesser heroes, fractured and broken images of the Deliverer to come to extend his dominion. Jabin placed his trust in Cicera, a warlord of brutal renown. Cicera, commander of nine hundred iron chariots, was a master of death on the battlefield. 00:00:27 Speaker 2: Are there any men left among you? Oh? Just these womanly cowards I see around me. 00:00:34 Speaker 1: Deborah, wife of Lapidov, the judge of Israel, dwelled in the presence of the Almighty. She was a woman set apart in wisdom and strength. Her heart was attuned to the will of God. 00:00:48 Speaker 2: The Lord has chosen you, Bricks, He's chosen wrong, very. 00:00:55 Speaker 3: Well, Bok. 00:00:56 Speaker 4: I shall march down with you. 00:01:00 Speaker 2: Together we can defeat ce Sarah. 00:01:03 Speaker 1: Debora raised a hand, silencing him. Her voice grows sharper, her words messing through this relief like an arrow. I said, I will go with you. However, the road on which. 00:01:17 Speaker 4: You are going, the road of cowardice, will not go to your going. You will march, but you will receive no victory for yourself, for the Lord will hand sisera over and slay him by the hand of a woman. 00:01:41 Speaker 3: Victory tastes sweet, but who is willing to take the risk shallow? 00:01:47 Speaker 5: My friends? From here in the holy Land of Israel, i'm ya l Extein with the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, and welcome to the Chosen People. If you're feeling extra grateful for these stories, will love it if you left us a review. I read every single one of them, and if you're interested in hearing more about the prophetic, life saving work of the Fellowship, you can visit IFCJ dot Org. Let's begin in the heat of battle, we find our true allies. After the dust has settled, after the arrows have flown, after the cries of victory have filled the valley, we can answer the question who stood with us and who stayed behind, safe and secure while others risked their lives. In today's Bible story, we hear Israel's victory song. Deborah and Barak raised their voices. But it isn't just a song of triumph. It's a song that remembers who showed up and who didn't. When God called, some answered with courage while others stayed safe. What makes us respond to God's call with courage, while others hesitate and is victory truly victim when not everyone is willing to fight for it. Let's dive into part two of Debora's story. As God delivers the enemy into the hands of a woman. 00:03:14 Speaker 1: Thunder was rolling in from the eastern plains, miles away from Mount Tabor. Storm clouds churned in the heavens. Black and furious, galloping as though driven by an unseen rider. Beneath the turbulent sky, Barark rode at the head of his army, ten thousand strong, their footfalls pounding the earth in unison. The tribes of Naphtali and Zebuln had risen to the core, their hearts alight with a courage born not of mortal strength but of divine command. Yet barak astride, his steed bore an expression that betrayed his inner turmoil. Though his head was held high, his heart still wavered. At his side rode Deborah, her presence a bastion of strength. She was clad in leather armor that hugged her frame, her hair braided and tucked beneath the head, covering A sword hung at her hip, its hilt gleaming even in the gloom. Her horse, like its rider, moved with grace and purpose, responding effortlessly to her will. The sight of her emboldened the men of Israel, their cries louder than the storm above as they marched toward the valley of Kaishon. The land below stretched flat, an open expanse, divided by the twisting river. It was perfect terrain for Ciceraar's infamous chariots, swift, iron clad beasts designed to dominate such ground. Yet Deborah's resolve did not falter. She sat tall in her saddle, her gaze fixed not on the enemy, but on the swirling heavens, as if she could se see the hand of God moving through the storm. On the hilltop overlooking the valley, Barark's army came to a halt. The dark clouds above them coiled tighter, lit by sudden bursts of lightning that streaked downward like jagged spears. The thunder followed, shaking the earth and rattling the nerves of even the bravest soldiers. Barark's eyes turned toward the far side of the valley, and his breath caught emerging from the hills came Cicera and his chariots. A dark and fearsome tide. Nine hundred chariots, each glinting with cruel iron, descended into the valley. The steeds that pulled them were black as night, their hoofs striking sparks from the earth. At their forefront was Cicera, his chariot, larger and more menacing than the rest. Spikes jutted from its wheels, and spears bristled along its side like the spines of a great beast. Even from this distance, Berard could see the cold fury etched into Cicera's face, a scowl that seemed to rival the storm in its ferocity. Barark's courage faltered. His hands trembled, his sword feeling heavier than it ever had before. His heart pounded so loudly that it seemed to drown out even the thunder. 00:06:25 Speaker 4: Compose yourself, Berrick, the lord will provide a victory. 00:06:29 Speaker 1: Bararc looked back at his men. They seemed to be doing much better than he was. 00:06:35 Speaker 2: Why have I lost my strength? Why can I be more like her? 00:06:40 Speaker 1: His eyes lifted to the sky, where the storm raged in all its might. Lightning flared, illuminating the swirling vapor of the clouds. In that moment, something clicked within him. 00:06:53 Speaker 4: These clouds are just mere vapor, yet so much power with them. 00:06:59 Speaker 1: Bararc began and to realize where Deborah's strength was drawn from the same source of Othniel and Ahood. Her deep breath steadied him, and his trembling hands stilled. He gripped his sword tightly and whispered, of prayer, power comes from you Lord. He turned to Deborah, his eyes now clear. He gave her a single nod, and she returned it with a knowing smile. Rising in her saddle, Deborah rode among the troops, her voice ringing out over the tumult. 00:07:35 Speaker 4: Rise, you men of Israel, hap arise, for this is a day at which the Lord has given Cisera into your hand. Do not fear them. Does not the Lord go before you? Fight not for victory, but from it. You are the chosen people. Step into your destiny. 00:08:00 Speaker 1: Erupted from the soldiers and their art, lifted his sword high, letting out a happy eye that echoed across the valley. With a surge of energy, he charged down the hill, his men following in a tidal wave of courage and determination. Deborah rode close behind her own shout, rising like a lioness, corner pride to battle across the valley. Cicera sneered at the sight of the advancing Israelites. Their hope made him sick. 00:08:33 Speaker 2: They send a woman to lead them, weaklings. 00:08:38 Speaker 1: Cicera turned to his hoard and raised a sword. 00:08:43 Speaker 2: Destroy the Israelite dogs, show them all night. The first to bring me that woman where his way with her. Whoever delivers me Barak's head will be rewarded with its weight and go. 00:08:58 Speaker 1: Cicerah and the nine hundred chariots behind him charged downward. Barark and Deborah rode in front, with fire in their bellies. Bhark felt a courage that he had never felt before. He drew back his sword, secured his place on his horse, and gave the first swing at a Canaanite chariot. He delivered a direct hit to the neck, beheading the sworder and causing the chariot to flip over. The next blow was delivered by Deborah. A charioteer rode after her with a spear in hand. He threw it at her head, but Deborah leaned all the way back on her horse, Dodging the spear, she watched it fly over her face. Once it had passed, she sprang back up and removed the charioteer's arm with a single swim of her sword. The chariots were fast. Spears and swords flew at the two of them rapidly, but the courage of the Lord was upon them. Barark rode ferociously, deflecting each spear thrown at him with his He yelled with fire and cut down every charioteer in sight. The men of Israel were also empowered by God. The initial blows of the chariots were harsh, and many fell, Yet it did not take long for Israel to overwhelm the chariots with their numbers. Horses and soldiers fell at the edge of Israel's sword, and Deborah was among them to encourage them. She rode gracefully, easily, weaving through the fray to reach her targets. She was like a lioness among gazelles. Two charioteers came at her head on Deborah sped her gallop towards them. One of them threw a spear at her horse. It fell, but Deborah launched herself off and rolled onto the ground. Her momentum did not stop. She rolled on to her feet and continued her pursuit towards the chariots. She picked up a spear off the ground and threw it at one of the men a direct hit. The other soldier rode at her with his sword drawn. Deborah stopped, steadied her breath, and leaped forward on to the chariot. She knocked away his sword and grappled with him. The two of them exchanged flows to the face and stomach while the chariot still moved forward. The Canaanite soldier got the upper hand and threw her on to the side of the chariot. He pressed his thumbs against her throat, slowly taking away her breath. Deborah reached desperately for the man's eyes, but could not reach. She had no choice but to grab his arms and throw both of them over the side of the chariot. They both flew off and landed on the ground with a heavy thud. Deborah rose to her feet and dodged the first punch. She ducked, drew a blade strapped to her calf, and drove it upward the soldier. He toppled over and died. Deborah composed herself and looked around her. Israel was winning and Cicera was on the other side. Exasperated and scared. Bearark was fighting a few yards away from her. Deborah pointed at Cicera, who had been backed into a corner. Barark nodded and rode violently towards him. Cicera swung his broad sword, cutting down thro the men. With one blow, he cracked the helmet of another, grabbed him by the neck, then flung him into the rocks. Yet more Israelite swarmed him. Cicera saw the writing on the wall. He knew that they were defeated. A sudden panic came over Cicera when he saw Berark in hot pursuit. Ciceraar turned and fled, scaling a hill that led into the wilderness. Berard dismounted, his voice rising in fury. 00:12:39 Speaker 2: Are I will on your arm? 00:12:42 Speaker 1: Barak's newfound courage made him forget the words spoken by Deborah. 00:12:47 Speaker 4: You will march, but you will receive no victory for yourself, for the Lord will and Cicera over and slay. 00:12:54 Speaker 3: Him by the hand of the wall. 00:12:56 Speaker 1: Cicera scaled the jagged rocks, leading to the peak. Bharrard dismounted his horse and pursued him up the hill below them. The Israelite army had completely consumed the nine hundred chariots. Not a man but Cicera remained. The once green valley was now soaked with the blood of God's enemies. Cicera looked down in terror. A sea of blood raged before him. All hope was lost, and his only option was to run and hide. He reached the peak and veared left through an overhang of oak trees. He hid there until he spotted Bhark turning right. Then he made an escape for the hills. The plateau above the battlefield was quiet, save for the distant clash of swords and the low growl of thunder rolling across the hills. Jail wife of Heber, stood outside her tent beneath the sprawling oak of Zayannanim, her face clouded with concern. She could hear the cries of war carry on, the wind, mingling with the trembling echoes of the storm. Her hands gripped the edge of a clay basin, her knuckles white. 00:14:09 Speaker 6: Do you hear them, Heber? How many more men must die at the hands of King Jabin and Cicera. 00:14:15 Speaker 1: Jale's concern did not seem to translate to her husband. Heber continued to mend the wheels on his cart without acknowledging her words. Jal shook her head and put her hands on her hips. 00:14:28 Speaker 6: Do you hear what I'm saying? Good men are dying only a few miles away from us at the hands of a tyrant, and you sit here without any care. 00:14:38 Speaker 2: I have no qualms with King Jabin. I don't care about the descendants of Jacob. We have our own problems. 00:14:46 Speaker 1: Heber was a descendant of moses brother in law Hobab. He was a Kenite and a descendant of the Mediannite tribe of Jethro. He and his wife Jail had moved away from the other members of their tribe long ago, and now they dwelled under the oak of Zyonanim near Kidesh. Hebo was a man of compromise and took great pride in his ability to avoid conflict, even if it meant letting others fall. 00:15:14 Speaker 2: Let Cicera make quick work of the Israelites. Perhaps we can return to peace and quiet. 00:15:20 Speaker 1: Jal stared at him in disbelief. A mix of fury and disgust curling her lips, she turned sharply, storming off toward the well. The bucket rattled as she loaded, her trembling hands, betraying her righteous indignation. As the water gurgled and rose, her eyes drifted toward the hills where the battle raged. 00:15:41 Speaker 6: Unseen Lord, deliver your people, Grant strength to those who stand against tyranny. 00:15:48 Speaker 1: She hauled the bucket up and poured the water into two basins with a practiced ease. She balanced them on her shoulders and carried them back to the tent. Her strides were purposeful steps, heavy with unspoken resolve. Jail had always prided herself on her strength, strength she had always felt might one day be called upon for something greater. The storm clouds thickened, casting the late afternoon in eerie darkness. Jail felt the unease in the air, at tension that clung to her like the humid wind before a tempest. As she set the basins down, the shadow loomed behind her. She turned, startled and gasped. Standing before her was Cicera, the infamous commander of Jabin's army. His armor was streaked with blood, his face darkened by dirt and exhaustion. His presence was suffocating, a hulking figure that carried death with him. 00:16:47 Speaker 2: Is this the harm of he there? 00:16:49 Speaker 1: Cicera's voice was low and domineering. He did not smile, nor did he reassure her he was a friend. 00:16:57 Speaker 2: I know he bears a friend of the king. I've come here to hide from the Israelites until I can get back to the king. Is this his farm? 00:17:08 Speaker 6: Well, I er, it's. 00:17:10 Speaker 2: Stupid, woman. Quit blubbering and answer me, and quickly before I strike you in the jaw. Barrack is not far behind. 00:17:19 Speaker 1: Fear crawled up Jail's spine, but she kept her head bowed. 00:17:24 Speaker 6: It is my lord, Sarah, My lord and husband would be honored to harbor you. Please enter into my tent. Nobody will expect you to be in a woman's tent at this hour. Do not be afraid. I will make sure nobody harms you. 00:17:38 Speaker 1: Cicarah grunted and entered the tent. The commander looked around the inside of the tent, scanning the area for possible weapons. 00:17:48 Speaker 2: Of course, a woman's tent would be devoid of anything useful. 00:17:53 Speaker 1: Jail ignored his ingratitude, though her blood boiled beneath her calm exterior. As she turned to leave, he grabbed her arm. 00:18:01 Speaker 2: Bring me something to drink at once. 00:18:04 Speaker 1: Jail released her arm and bowed her head. She came back with a skin of milk and a cup of water. He took them and drank. He removed his armor and began to lay down on her bed. 00:18:20 Speaker 2: Stand at the tents entrance. If anyone comes looking for me, tell them I'm not here, and fetch your husband. I can't trust a woman with my safety. 00:18:31 Speaker 1: Jao bowed her head. She covered him with a woven rug for warmth. Exited the tent and remained at the entrance. The storm clouds rushed over her and the thunder boomed once again. A single rain trop fell from the sky, landing directly in front of her. She looked down where it had fallen. Beside the drop in the dirt was a hammer and tent pave. As a woman, Jail had become very adept at pitching tents. It was her primary job when moving locations. 00:19:02 Speaker 2: She knew the. 00:19:03 Speaker 1: Exact angle and force it took to break the hardened earth. It was at that moment when an idea struck her, like lightning. Jail picked up the hammer and peg and stared down at them. Her heart began to pound heavily. She felt a surge of complete clarity. She knew what had to be done. 00:19:26 Speaker 6: What force will it take to break the earth? 00:19:31 Speaker 1: Jail looked around for her husband, but he was nowhere to be seen. She peeked in through the tent to see Cicerar fast asleep, silently like a lioness stalking her prey. She inched her way forward. She knelt down and placed the tent peg near the temple of Cicera's head. She angled the peg perfectly, raised the hammer above her head, and swung down violently. With a single swing a bolt of lightning. That peg went straight through Cicera's head and drove into the floor. With such a small and insignificant object, God slayd the enemy. There was no dignity, no fanfare, and no speech. It was silent and quick. The Lord handed Cicerah over to be slain by the hand of a woman. Beak and Deborah finally made their way to the home of Heber. He was still repairing his cart when he saw the armed duo approach with blood soaked arma. He jumped at the sight of them and raised his hands. 00:20:42 Speaker 2: Please don't hurt me. Take whatever you'd like. We are looking for Cissarah, the commander of Jabin's army. We know you are a friend of the king. Where is he? I swear I haven't seen him? 00:20:55 Speaker 6: Leave me alone. 00:20:56 Speaker 1: Deborah tilted her head as she looked at Heber. 00:21:00 Speaker 2: Where is your wife here? 00:21:04 Speaker 1: Jail approached with a bloody hammer in her hand. She tilted her chin up and grinned. 00:21:10 Speaker 6: Come, I will show you the man you are seeking. 00:21:14 Speaker 1: Deborah nodded and left with her. Berark followed. Heber tailed them. Confused, Jail led them to her tent. She opened up the flap. 00:21:25 Speaker 2: And asked, is this your man? There? 00:21:30 Speaker 1: Lying in a pool of his own blood was Cicera. The tent peg was securely lodged in his temple, keeping his head pegged into the ground. Heber gasped in disgust, while Debrah put her arm around Jail. She leaned over and whispered in her ear. 00:21:48 Speaker 2: Well done. 00:21:50 Speaker 1: Berark stepped forward and knelt down. Scanning Cicera's body, He finally remembered the words of Deborah. The Lord had delivered Soah into the hands of a woman just not the woman he expected. On that day, God subdued Jabin, the King of Canaan before the people of Israel, and the hand of the people of Israel pressed harder and harder against Jabin, the King of Canaan, until they destroyed him completely. The people were free once again and remained under the woman of strength. Deborah and Barak sang a song that day, a hymn to the Lord and a call for strength. 00:22:37 Speaker 3: The Bible is full of grand battles and mighty warriors. Swords clash, shields rattle, and the sound of victories, often heralded by the strongest and most fearsome of men. But in our last story, Deborah made a prophecy. She said, the Lord will deliver Sisra into the hands of a woman, and the story unfolds in a way that we'd all expect Deborah to be that woman. She's obviously the chosen hero of this Bible story, right, But once again, God's word subverts are expectations. It's not Deborah. I love how the Bible takes us on a journey, leading us to expect one thing before flipping the script on us entirely. The Bible tells us that the heavens opened up, and a storm swept over the battle. This was God's work, of course. Sisra, confident in his mighty chariots, suddenly found that the ground turned to mud. The wheels that once rolled like thunder sank helplessly in the muck. His great war machines were useless. The mighty general saw his defeat written in the sky, and like a rat fleeing a sinking ship, Sisra ran. And that's where the story takes a most unexpected turn. Cisra, breathless and desperate, stumbled upon the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber, the Kenite. Heber had a neutral alliance with King Javin, so Sisra assumed that he was safe. Little did Heber know who was married to the woman from the prophecy. Jaelle rose up and did what needed to be done. Just like Israel's millions of Christian brothers and sisters around the world, Jael knew that God's hand is on Israel. Do you remember the promise made to Abraham and Genesis twelve three. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse those who curse you. And in you, all the families of the earth shall be blessed. It's God's promise to bless all the nations through Israel. Jaelle understood this, and she knew that she had act. She lulled Sisra into confidence, grabbed the tent, peg and hammer, and did what had to be done. She ended up being the woman that Deborah prophesied. This homemaker and wife suddenly became God's hero. She wasn't trained to do so. The heavens didn't open up and shout her name, Lightning didn't fall from the sky and etch her calling on tablets. She simply chose the side of God's people and acted accordingly. And this support for Israel, coupled with a courageous heart to act, saved millions of lives. In Judges five we find a very special Bible passage, the Song of Deborah. Think back to when we studied the Exodus and the Song of the Sea, the powerful song that the children of Israel sang in Exodus fifteen, and which begins with the words then Moses and the Israelite saying this song to the Lord. Well, here we find Dvor's song, which begins like this. On that day Deborah and Barak, son of Abinoam sang this song in the weekly Parsha, which is the Jewish reading of the Torah that the Jewish people do every week. These two readings are eternally linked, and each year, with prayerful singing, the chosen people are encouraged to reflect on the purpose and power of a song. In each of these Bible stories, simple prayer wasn't enough for the people of Israel to express themselves to God. So why was it necessary to speak to God with music? Well, music isn't just entertaining or enjoyable, although it's both of those things as well. Music can be transformational, it can be transcendental, and music is a vehicle through which we can reach God. Throughout the Bible, we find words are often accompanied by musical instruments. In the Holy Temples which stood in Jerusalem, music played an integral role in worship. Do you remember the Levites who would be playing and today's still music remains a staple in our churches and our synagogues in our worship to God. So I encourage you make the most of this gift of music in your life. Let the power of music bring you closer to God. The prophet Isaiah encourages us. He says, shiro laschem sheer radash, sing to the Lord a new song. And Jewish tradition teaches that each soul has a unique song to sing. So let's each find our own song and share our vision, our story, our message, our music with the world. There's one that I'd like to look at in the song of Deborah. It's a verse that seems out of place. In the middle of her song of praise to God for Israel's miraculous victory, Deborah cries out, wake up, Wake up, Deborah, wake up, wake up, break out in song. And I read these words, and I say, wait a second, what's going on here? Isn't Deborah already singing well? According to Jewish tradition, Deborah briefly lost her ability to prophesize and sing. And this was because, just a few verses earlier, in verse seven, Debora said this, They held back until I Deborah arose, until I arose a mother in Israel. You see, Jewish tradition teaches that because this statement wasn't at all that humble, God's spirit left Devorah. You need humbleness in order to receive God's word. And then Deborah realized, corrected herself, and God's spirit returned. But this verse has a message for all of us. It's no wonder that the Jewish people use it in our Friday night prayer service when we say he doriri heat doririe, keep by or kumi ori. That's how you say it in Hebrew. In English, you say, wake up, wake up, for your light has come, Rise and shine, awaken, awaken, utter a song. The glory of God is revealed upon you. This is a combination of the verse from Dobora's song in Isaiah chapter sixty, verse one, which reads a rise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of God rises upon you. Together, the message for us is to wake up to see the glory of God that is all around us. So today, let's all wake up. Let's all recognize the glory of God in our lives. Let's wake up to his blessings. Let's wake up to his miracle. Let's open our eyes to everything good. And then let's break out in song and sing praises to Him. Before we continue with the story of the Chosen People, I want to leave you with one more teaching from the Song of Deborah. In it, de boris sings of a situation that echoes a very recent situation in modern Israel. In the King James version, Divora sings, quote, they that are delivered from the noise of the archers in the places of drawing water, There they shall rehearse the righteous acts of the Lord end quote. The Jewish sages explained that before Israel defeated the Canaanites, when the Israelites would go out to draw water from the wells, they faced great danger. The Israelites had to listen for the whistles of Canaanite arrows being shot at them so that they could take cover. But now, after Israelite victory, the people of Israel could spend time safely at their wells. Speaking of God's miraculous protection. This ages add that the Israelites could also return to their homes and the cities that had become ghost towns because of enemy attacks. I read this and I think, wow, that's eerily similar to what has been happening in Israel this past year and a half. I know it reminds me of recent days, as I found my family joining our brothers and sisters in bomb shelters when we hear the red alert sirens sound, and then, just as we saw in the story of the Israelites, after God's protective hand covers us, the Chosen People are called to return to their homes and share with the world about God's blessing for his children. Thank God, Israel has the Iron Dome which knocks rockets out of the sky that are intended to do harm. This is certainly a miracle and protective hand of God. 00:31:59 Speaker 1: You can listen to The Chosen People with Isle Eckstein ad free by downloading and subscribing to the prey dot Com app today. This Prey dog comproduction is only made possible by our dedicated team of creative talents. Steve Katina, Max Bard, Zach Shellabarger and Ben Gammon are the executive producers of The Chosen People with Yile Eckstein, edited by Alberto Avilla, narrated by Paul Coltofianu. Characters are voiced by Jonathan Cotton, Aaron Salvado, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan, Stephen Ringwold, Sylvia Zaradoc, Thomas Copeland, Junior, Rosanna Pilcher, and the opening prayer is voiced by John Moore. Music by Andrew Morgan Smith written by Aaron Salvato, bre Rosalie and Chris Baig. Special thanks to Bishop Paul Lanier, Robin van Ettin, Kayleb Burrows, Jocelyn Fuller, and the team at International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. You can hear more prey Dog comproductions on the preydoc dot com app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. If you enjoyed The Chosen People with Yile Egstein, please rate and leave a review.