God is a God of mercy, compassion, and grace. Yet, that does not mean that there are no consequences to our sins. When we disobey His Word, sooner or later, we must face the consequences. This is what happened to the Israelites.
“After Ehud’s death, the Israelites again did evil in the Lord’s sight. So the Lord turned them over to King Jabin of Hazor, a Canaanite king. The commander of his army was Sisera, who lived in Harosheth-haggoyim. Sisera, who had 900 iron chariots, ruthlessly oppressed the Israelites for twenty years. Then the people of Israel cried out to the Lord for help.” Numbers 1:1-3 NLT
In the story of Deborah, we can see these attributes of God and so much more.
We first see how God orchestrates the battle details when Deborah relays God’s message to Barak.
“One day she sent for Barak son of Abinoam, who lived in Kedesh in the land of Naphtali. She said to him, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, commands you: Call out 10,000 warriors from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun at Mount Tabor. And I will call out Sisera, commander of Jabin’s army, along with his chariots and warriors, to the Kishon River. There I will give you victory over him.” Numbers 4: 6-7 NLT
God had a plan on how He was going to save the Israelites from the Canaanites’ rule. God always has a plan for His people. Are you willing to trust His plan?
Barak was not willing to trust the plan.
“Barak told her, “I will go, but only if you go with me.” “Very well,” she replied, “I will go with you. But you will receive no honor in this venture, for the Lord’s victory over Sisera will be at the hands of a woman.” So Deborah went with Barak to Kedesh.” Numbers 4:8-9 NLT
So when they went to fight, God confused the army of Sisera by flooded the river!
“Then Deborah said to Barak, “Get ready! This is the day the Lord will give you victory over Sisera, for the Lord is marching ahead of you.” So Barak led his 10,000 warriors down the slopes of Mount Tabor into battle. When Barak attacked, the Lord threw Sisera and all his chariots and warriors into a panic. Sisera leaped down from his chariot and escaped on foot. Then Barak chased the chariots and the enemy army all the way to Harosheth-haggoyim, killing all of Sisera’s warriors. Not a single one was left alive.” Numbers 4:14-16 NLT
“The Kishon River swept them away— that ancient torrent, the Kishon.” Numbers 5:21
We see how God controls His creation! God caused the Kishon River to flood, causing Sierra’s 900 iron chariots to get stuck in the mud!
It could be that the flooding of the river is how God threw Sierra’s army into a panic. It was a dry season during that time of the year, so they were probably not expecting the river to flood if it had not been raining.
Over the whole course of events, we see how God won the battle for the Israelites.
“So on that day, Israel saw God defeat Jabin, the Canaanite king. And from that time on, Israel became stronger and stronger against King Jabin until they finally destroyed him.”
Numbers 4:23-24 NLT
God moves in our lives in different ways. In the lives of the people in the Old Testament, we can see God moving and work. We see patterns of how God works and what He can do.
As we look at God in this story, we see His compassion, plan, and power. Even though the Israelites turn from God, when they cried out to Him for help, He showed compassion for them. We see His plan to save them, and we see His power over nature and man.
Have you seen these attributes of God in your life lately? I would love to hear about it! Comment below!
