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. 00:00:45 Speaker 3: Her heart was attuned to the will of God. 00:00:48 Speaker 4: The Lord has chosen. 00:00:49 Speaker 3: You, Brick, He's chosen wrong. 00:00:55 Speaker 1: Very well, Breck. I shall march down with you. 00:01:00 Speaker 2: Together we can defeat ce Sarah. 00:01:03 Speaker 1: Debora raised her hand, silencing him. Her voice grew sharper, her words piercing through his relief like an arrow. 00:01:12 Speaker 3: I said, I would go. 00:01:14 Speaker 1: However, the road on which. 00:01:17 Speaker 4: You are going, the road. 00:01:18 Speaker 3: Of Candice, will not look to your gold. 00:01:22 Speaker 5: You will march, but you will receive no victory for yourself, for the Lord will hand Cicera over and slay him by the hand of a woman. 00:01:41 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, barre arc road at the head of his army, ten thousand strong, their footfalls pounding the earth in unison. The tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun had risen to the core, their hearts alight with the courage borne 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 marred 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 see the hand of God moving through the storm. On the hilltop overlooking the valley, Barrark'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. Berark's eyes turned toward the far side of the valley, and his breath caught. Emerging from the hills came Sish 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 hooves, 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 gristled along its sides like the spines of the great beast. Even from this distance, Berard could see the cold fury etched into Sicyra'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. 00:04:53 Speaker 5: Compose yourself, Berrick, the Lord will provide a victory. 00:04:57 Speaker 1: Barard looked back at his men. They seemed to be doing much better than he was. 00:05:03 Speaker 3: Why have I lost my strength? Why can I be more like her? 00:05:08 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. 00:05:21 Speaker 3: These clouds are just mere vapor. Ye hold so much power with him. 00:05:26 Speaker 1: Barac began to realize where Deborah's strength was drawn from the same source of Othniel and Ahod. A deep breath steadied him, and his trembling hands stilled. He gripped his sword tightly and whispered. 00:05:42 Speaker 3: A prayer. Power comes from you, oh Lord. 00:05:48 Speaker 1: 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 truth, her voice ringing out over the tumult rise. 00:06:03 Speaker 5: You men of Israel, hap arise, for this is the day in which the Lord has given Ciserah 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. 00:06:27 Speaker 1: A cheer erupted from the soldiers and their art. Lifted his sword high, letting out a pappify 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 wrote close behind her own shout rising like a lioness, calling their pride to battle. 00:06:50 Speaker 3: Across the valley. 00:06:52 Speaker 1: Cicerah sneered at the sight of the advancing Israelites. Their hope made him sick. 00:07:00 Speaker 2: They send a woman. 00:07:02 Speaker 3: To leave them weaklings. 00:07:06 Speaker 1: Cicerah turned to his hoard and raised a sword. 00:07:11 Speaker 2: Destroy the Israelite dogs. Show them your night first to bring me that woman will his way with her. Whoever delivers me Barak's head will be rewarded with its weight, and go. 00:07:26 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 swordier 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. Barak rode ferociously, deflecting each spear thrown at him with his sword. 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. 00:08:51 Speaker 3: Them to encourage them. 00:08:52 Speaker 1: She rode gracefully, easily weaving through the fray to reach her targets. 00:08:58 Speaker 3: She was like a lioness among them. Els. 00:09:01 Speaker 1: Two chariot ears 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 flew 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 as 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, Bhark 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. 00:10:39 Speaker 3: Two men with one blow. 00:10:41 Speaker 1: He cracked the helmet of another, grabbed him by the neck, then flung him into the rocks. Yet more Israelites swarmed him. Cicera saw the writing on the wall. 00:10:51 Speaker 3: He knew that they were defeated. 00:10:53 Speaker 1: A sudden panic came over Cicera when he saw Barak in hot pursuit. Ciceraar turned and fled, scaling a hill that led into the wilderness. Bhard dismounted, his voice rising and fury Hard, why well on your arm Berark's newfound courage made him forget the words spoken by Deborah. 00:11:15 Speaker 5: You will march, but you will receive no victory for your son, for the Lord will hand Cicera over and slay. 00:11:21 Speaker 2: Him on the handle. 00:11:24 Speaker 1: Cicera scaled the jagged rocks leading to the peak. Berrard 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 turned 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 Zeyannanim, her face clouded with concern. She could hear the cries of war carried on the wind, mingling with the trembling echoes of the storm. Her hands gripped the edge of a clay basin, her knuckles white. 00:12:37 Speaker 4: Do you hear them, Heber, how many more men must die at the hands of King Jabin and Cicera. 00:12:43 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. 00:12:56 Speaker 4: 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. 00:13:06 Speaker 2: I have no qualms with King Jabin. 00:13:09 Speaker 4: I don't care about the descendants of Jacob. 00:13:12 Speaker 3: We have our own problems. 00:13:14 Speaker 1: Hebrew 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 Zion, aanim near kidsh. Hebrew was a man of compromise and took great pride in his ability to avoid conflict, even if it meant letting others fall. 00:13:42 Speaker 2: Let Cicara make quick work of the Israelites. Perhaps we can return to peace and quiet. 00:13:48 Speaker 1: Jail 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, trembling hands, betraying her righteous indignation. As the water gurgled and rose Her eyes drifted toward the hills where the battle raged. 00:14:09 Speaker 4: Unseen Lord, deliver your people, grant strength to those who stand against tyranny. 00:14:15 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, her 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, a shadow loomed behind her. She turned, startled and gasped. Standing before her was Cicerah, the infamous commander of Jabin's army. His armor was streaked with blood, his face darkened by. 00:15:08 Speaker 3: Dirt and exhaustion. 00:15:10 Speaker 1: His presence was suffocating, a hulking figure that carried death with him? 00:15:15 Speaker 3: Is this the horme of Hebar? 00:15:17 Speaker 1: Cicera's voice was low and domineering. He did not smile, nor did he reassure her he was a friend. 00:15:25 Speaker 2: I know Heber is 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? Well, I er, it's stupid. Woman. Quits blubbering and answer me and quickly before I strike you in the jaw. Brak is not far behind. 00:15:47 Speaker 1: Fear crawled up Jail's spine, but she kept her head bowed. 00:15:52 Speaker 4: It is my lord, Sesarah, My lord and husband would be honored to harbor you. Please enter into my tent. Will expect you to be in a woman's tent at this hour. Do not be afraid. I will make sure nobody harms you. 00:16:06 Speaker 1: Cicera grunted and entered the tent. The commander looked around the inside of the tent, scanning the area for possible weapons. 00:16:16 Speaker 2: Of course, a woman's tent would be devoid of anything useful. 00:16:21 Speaker 1: Jail ignored his ingratitude, though her blood boiled beneath her calm exterior. As she turned to leave, he grabbed her. 00:16:28 Speaker 2: Arm, bring me something to drink at once. 00:16:32 Speaker 1: Jail released her arm and bowed her head. She came back with the 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. 00:16:45 Speaker 2: Yeah, stand at the tent's 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. 00:16:59 Speaker 1: Jay O bow 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 peg. As a woman, Jail had become very adept at pitching tents. It was her primary job when moving locations. She knew the exact angle and force it took to break the hardened earth. 00:17:36 Speaker 3: It was at that moment when an idea struck her. Light lightning. 00:17:40 Speaker 1: 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. 00:17:50 Speaker 3: She knew what had to be done. 00:17:53 Speaker 4: What force will it take to break thud earth? 00:17:59 Speaker 1: Jail. Looked for her husband, but he was nowhere to be seen. She peeked in through the tent to see Cicera fast asleep, silently like a lioness stalking her prey. 00:18:11 Speaker 3: She inched her way forward. 00:18:14 Speaker 1: 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 swim, Like 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 slayed the enemy. There was no dignity, no fanfare, and no speech. It was silent and quick. The Lord handed Cicia over to be slain by the hand of a woman. Beak and Deborah finally made their way to the home of Heba. 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. 00:19:10 Speaker 3: Please don't hurt me. 00:19:12 Speaker 2: Take whatever you'd like. 00:19:14 Speaker 4: We are looking for siss Sarah, the commander of Jabin's army. 00:19:17 Speaker 3: We know you are a friend of the king. Where is he I swear. 00:19:21 Speaker 2: I haven't seen him. 00:19:22 Speaker 4: Leave me alone. 00:19:24 Speaker 1: Deborah tilted her head as she looked at Heber. Where is your wife here? Jail approached with a bloody hammer in her hand. She tilted her chin up and grinned. 00:19:38 Speaker 4: Come, I will show you the man you are seeking. 00:19:42 Speaker 1: Deborah nodded and left with her Beararc followed. Heber tailed them. Confused, jayl led them to her tent. She opened up the flap. 00:19:53 Speaker 3: And asked, is this your man? There? 00:19:57 Speaker 1: Lying in a pool of his own blood was Cicerah. The tent peg was securely lodged in his temple, keeping his head pegged into the ground. He but gasped in disgust. While Deborah put her arm around Jail. She leaned over and whispered in her ear. 00:20:16 Speaker 2: Well done. 00:20:18 Speaker 1: Bhark stepped forward and knelt down. Scanning Cicera's body, he finally remembered the words of Deborah. The Lord had delivered Cicera 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 Bhark sang a song that day, a hymn to the Lord and a call for strength. This Prey dot Com production 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. Narrated by Paul Coltofianu. Characters are voiced by Jonathan Cotton, Aaron Salvado, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan, Stephen Ringwoald, Sylvia Zaradoc, Thomas Copeland Junior, Rosanna Pilcher, and Mitch Leshinsky. Music by Andrew Morgan Smith, written by Aaron Salvato, bre Rosalie and Chris Baig. 00:21:39 Speaker 3: You can hear. 00:21:40 Speaker 1: More Prey dot Com productions on the Prey dot Com app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. If you enjoyed The Chosen People, please rate and leave a review.