How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets.
Hebrews 11:32
This example of faith is curious to say the least. Why is Barak, who is the 5th Judge listed for Israel, placed behind Gideon (the 6th) in the list? And why choose Barak as a judge who supposedly exemplified faith when there was another who was more deserving of the accolade? Do you know who I am talking about even before I let you into the secret behind this story? This time I suggest you read Judges Chapters four and five for the full story. The Judges were warrior leaders who freed Israel from the grip of foreign oppression. Each Judge gained victory over a foreign nation. Gideon fought the Midianites, Barak fought the Canaanites, Samson fought the Philistines and Jephthah fought the Ammonites. Deborah was a prophet who acted as a judge at the same time as Barak (see Judges 4:4). As a result of her prophetic gifting she had a word from God for Barak, who lived in Kedesh (Holy) in the land of Naphtali.
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.
Judges 4:6-7
Barak told Deborah, “I will go, but only if you go with me.”
Deborah’s response, “Very well, I will go with you. But you will receive no honour in this venture, for the LORD’s victory over Sisera will be at the hands of a woman.”
Judges 4:8-9
This woman Deborah, whose name means eloquent, acted as the spokes-person for Barak in his role as judge. But her name is also linked to bees, both from the point of view of the sound and also the organisation and order she brought to the cause, in addition to her sting. Interestingly Barak’s name is the Hebrew word for “blessing”, but in fact it was Deborah and another woman, Jael, who brought the victory and therefore the blessing. In accord with Deborah’s prophetic statement in 4:9, two women were the ones who acted in a more judge-like way than Barak. Deborah’s prophetic word applied twice to both Deborah herself and also to Jael. Although the writer of Hebrews credits Barak with acting ‘by faith‘, it was really Deborah who inspired the people. [4:9, 10, 14]
The actions of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite (4:18-24) make you wonder, where were the men in this time of the Judges? Note that in the song of Deborah and Barak (5:1), Deborah is mentioned first. The song is known in the Bible as the Song of Deborah, not the Song of Barak. I am sure you picked up the refrain in the song, almost like the chorus:-
There were few people left in the villages of Israel—until Deborah arose as a mother for Israel. When Israel chose new gods, war erupted at the city gates. Yet not a shield or spear could be seen among forty thousand warriors in Israel! My heart is with the commanders of Israel, with those who volunteered for war. Praise the LORD! Judges 5:7-9
Look at the irony in the song.
“Consider this, you who ride on fine donkeys, you who sit on fancy saddle blankets, and you who walk along the road. Listen to the village musicians gathered at the watering holes. They recount the righteous victories of the LORD and the victories of his villagers in Israel. Then the people of the LORD marched down to the city gates. “Wake up, Deborah, wake up! Wake up, wake up, and sing a song! Arise, Barak! Lead your captives away, son of Abinoam (Barak)!
Judges 5:10-12
From Tabor the people (the few) marched against the mighty warriors. They came from Ephraim (once the land of the Amalekites ~ Gideon), Benjamin, Zebulun, Issachar (5:13-15)
But in the tribe of Reuben there was great indecision. Why did you sit at home among the sheepfolds—to hear the shepherds whistle for their flocks? Yes, in the tribe of Reuben there was great indecision. Gilead remained east of the Jordan. And why did Dan stay home? Asher sat unmoved at the seashore, remaining in his harbours.
But Zebulun risked his life, as did Naphtali, on the heights of the battlefield. [Read: Deborah and Barak] Judges 5:15-18
There is one more element I need to explain before I leave you to ponder and that’s the reference to Meroz.
‘Let the people of Meroz be cursed,’ said the angel of the LORD. ‘Let them be utterly cursed, because they did not come to help the LORD— to help the LORD against the mighty warriors.’ “Most blessed among women is Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite. May she be blessed above all women who live in tents.
Judges 5:23-24
In order to ensure that you understand the purpose of Deborah’s song, the whole of Judges chapter 5 is the Song of Deborah, the song of the woman who led Israel to victory over the Canaanites. Her side kick Barak, was too weak to rise and take up the Word of the LORD in 4:6-7 and said, “I will only go if you go with me Deborah.”
So who are these people of Meroz? That is the one element I need to explain. It’s enigmatic; a puzzle. In all honesty no-one really knows. Clearly, Meroz is either a person, a clan or a town. I am not going to spell out the detail of all the opinions but I will summarise it for you. Commentators and experts have offered their opinions. The text and the historical background from all sources don’t give us a strong lead one way or another. Suffice to say some link Meroz with Jael, Tabor and Ephraim. The suggestion is that Meroz or the people of Meroz, one village or one clan, refused to join the others. Yet he/they were kinsmen of those who joined those of Reuben, Dan, Asher and Gilead who remained in comfort. Yet this person or clan were closest to Deborah and Barak and their kinsmen, but shirked their responsibility. There are five to ten different names and derivations of names which have been suggested as the place or clan in the spotlight but it is all conjecture.
The main point in all of these two chapters of Judges is that the men who should have been the ones who stood up to be counted kept their heads down. That left two women to stand in their place and be warrior judges. I know you are dying to ask me so I guess I had better pre-empt the questions and tell you, that Jael is a derivative of the Hebrew for an ibex or gazelle, an animal with sharp curly horns, swift and fleet of foot. There is another question which comes to mind as well. Have you thought of it too?
Why didn’t the author of Hebrews include Deborah in his list instead of Barak? In which case this Gem would be “The Examples of Faith: Deborah”.
Mmm interesting. Go girls!
A strong woman looks a challenge in the eye and gives it a wink.
Gina Carey
A strong woman is the kind of girl who climbs the ladder of success wrong by wrong.
Mae West
This has always been a motto of mine: Attempt the impossible in order to improve your work.
Bette Davis
Very well, I will go with you. But you will receive no honour in this venture, for the LORD’s victory over Sisera will be at the hands of a woman. Deborah of Ephraim
Judges 4:9
I will go but only if you go with me.
Sounds very much like Moses. I will go but only if Aaron goes with me (and speaks on my behalf)
Aaron didn’t hesitate yet no mention of his faith here either!
How many of us say the same? I will go but only if…
Good question.
I assume you are talking about calling this example – Deborah – and not Barak. Ross. Why do you think he listed Barak and not Deborah?
Yes I am finding these characters chosen by the writer of Hebrews related to the examples of faith are intriguing given the similarities to others in the Old Testament for the same reasons as those used in Hebrews 11. Typical of links found between the Old and New Testaments.