Series Summary:

WHO WILL FIGHT FOR US? What we are fighting for? These questions guide our lives and the lives of generations. The Book of Judges shows us that when we are unwilling to fight as God commanded, compromise to get along, fight with the wrong people, and fight for lesser things, then we descend into tribalism and chaos. We end up with the disaster of everyone doing what is right in their own eyes. Then we find ourselves crying out again…WHO WILL FIGHT FOR US?

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Starter

What is something that the Lord has commanded that you often hesitate to do?

Pray

Study Questions

The Lord promised the land of Canaan to Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. The people of Canaan were so wicked and had polluted the land so badly the Lord said they had to get out. God tells the Israelites to, divide the Land by lot, drive out inhabitants, not to make treaties or covenants, destroy idols and worship sites, not intermarry, not adopt Canaanite customs, and worship only at the chosen place, setting yourselves and the land apart. It is now time for the people of God to take the land. However, The Angel of the Lord confronts them with reality, “But you have not obeyed Me. What is this you have done?” “The Lord’s anger burned” so He “raised up judges” like Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar. The people abandon the Lord again and the question is raised, “Hasn’t the Lord commanded you?“

Reminder: When reading a narrative part of the bible, especially the book of judges, God is often giving a description of what happened not necessarily a prescription of what He ideally wanted or wants for us now.

READ: Judges 4:1-3

  1. After Ehud died, what pattern did Israel repeat?
  2. Who did God allow to oppress Israel this time?
    1. What area of Israel did the oppressing king control?
    2. Who was his military leader?
    3. What was the tank like military advantage they possessed?
    4. How long was Israel oppressed by King Jabin?
    5. How should knowing the length of their oppression help us as we are living through and crying out in the midst of things that seem difficult or oppressive to us?

READ: Judges 4:4-10

Deborah is the first, and only woman that judged Israel. She did not fight physically or use a physical weapon unlike the other judges and/or deliverers in the book of Judges.

  1. Deborah is called a prophetess. What is the simple thing that a prophet does?
    1. To take seriously speaking on behalf of God, what was supposed to happen to a prophet or prophetess who spoke falsely? (see: **Deuteronomy 13:1-5, 18:18-22)**
    2. Why in our day do we not take seriously speaking/prophesying on behalf of God or putting His name on things?
  2. Deborah summons Barak. She asks him, “Hasn’t the Lord commanded you?” What does her question to Barak imply? (Judges 4:1-7)
    1. Does she want to go fight or lead Barak into battle?
  3. Deborah does not command the assembly of the men and the men do not follow her into battle. She communicates with Barak and the men follow Barak. Why is that significant?

Isaiah 3:12-13 says, “Youths oppress My people, and women rule over them. My people, your leaders mislead you; they confuse the direction of your paths. The Lord rises to argue the case and stands to judge the people.”

  1. Why are youths oppressing, women ruling, and leaders misleading and confusing a sign of serious problems among God’s people ans in cultures?
    1. Who were supposed to be the leaders among God’s people? Why?
    2. How do we see church leaders misleading and confusing the direction of youth, women, and God’s people in our day?

READ: Judges 4:11-23, Judges 5:4, 20-21

  1. Who threw Sisera’s army into confusion? (4:15)
    1. How did God do it? (5:4, 20-21**)**