The book of Judges has many stories of victory against the odds. In chapter 3, there’s Ehud, who bluffed his way into a king’s palace and stuck a sword into his massive belly. Or Shamgar who killed 600 Philistines with a stick.
How could they risk it all? Are there are still people like that today? Can weak, fearful people like you and me learn anything from these brave men?
In Judges 4, we find the story of Barak, who Hebrews 11 calls a man of faith. But although he wins a great victory, he doesn’t seem very confident at all. He seems very much like you and me. What did God want to teach us by choosing Barak?
God chose Barak to show that He uses weak people to achieve His purposes and glorify Himself. And because He uses fail people like Barak, you and I should follow His commands in faith whatever the odds.
And we see that not only in the life of Barak, but in many ways in Judges 4:
- God Glorified in Punishment (v1-5)
- God Glorified in Faith (v6-16)
- God Glorified Unawares (v11-13, 17-22)
- God Glorified in Destruction (v23-24)
- So Have Faith Whatever the Odds (v6-7)
Sunday 13th October 2019
Review questions:
- Judges happens when the Israelites are living in ____________________ (Judges 1-2)
- Why was Israel punished (v1-2)?
- God saves by giving His ____________________ (v5)
- What did God promise (v7)?
- Was it good for Barak to take Deborah (v8-9, 14)? Yes/No/Maybe
- What does Judges 5:20-21 add?
- Jael’s husband was an _________________ of King Jabin (v17)
- Sisera’s death was ____________________ful (9:54)
- How strong are God’s enemies (v23-24)?
- When should we obey God (v6)?
- Which king do we need (Judges 21:25, Hebrews 12:1-2)?
- A question I have:
- A truth to share:
- Something to pray about:
- How I should live:
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