Judges 2:18-19 (NASB)
When the Lord raised up judges for them, the Lord was with the judge and delivered them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for the Lord was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who oppressed and afflicted them. But it came about when the judge died, that they would turn back and act more corruptly than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them and bow down to them; they did not abandon their practices or their stubborn ways.
Judges 4:1-5 (NIRV)
After Ehud died, the people of Israel once again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. So the Lord gave them over to the power of Jabin. He was a king in Canaan. He ruled in Hazor. The commander of his army was Sisera. Sisera lived in Harosheth Haggoyim. Jabin used 900 chariots that had some iron parts. He treated the people of Israel very badly for 20 years. So they cried out to the Lord for help. Deborah was a prophet. She was the wife of Lappidoth. She was leading Israel at that time. Under The Palm Tree of Deborah she served the people as their judge. That place was between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim. The people of Israel came to her there. They came to have her decide cases for them. She settled matters between them.
Judges 4:6-9 (NIRV)
Deborah sent for Barak. He was the son of Abinoam. Barak was from Kedesh in the land of Naphtali. Deborah said to Barak, “The Lord, the God of Israel, is giving you a command. He says, ‘Go! Take 10,000 men from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun with you. Then lead the way to Mount Tabor. I will draw Sisera into a trap. He is the commander of Jabin’s army. I will bring him, his chariots and his troops to the Kishon River. There I will hand him over to you.’” Barak said to her, “If you go with me, I’ll go. But if you don’t go with me, I won’t go.” “All right,” Deborah said. “I’ll go with you. But because of the way you are doing this, you won’t receive any honor. The Lord will hand Sisera over to a woman.
3 Reasons Why We Fail to Respond to God’s Word
1. Fear is paralyzing.
God hasn’t given us a spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and of self-discipline.
2. Laziness is compromising.
Today is the day to obey.
3. Despair is immobilizing.
The Lord hears the cries of His people.
After Ehud died, the people of Israel once again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. Judges 4:1
Psalm 28:6-7a (NIV)
Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
Judges 4:14a (NASB)
Deborah said to Barak, “Arise! For this is the day in which the Lord has given Sisera into your hands; behold, the Lord has gone out before you.”
Matthew 28:18-19 (NIV)
Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.