“THE JUDGES - DEBORAH”

Season 3: Judges
Episode 3: “The Judges - Deborah”
Today’s Bible Bite: Judges 4-5

Video Story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myeSLGXHt4k (BimBam – for older children)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GakKDNn2_YE (Crossroad Kids Club – for younger children)

“Deborah, the wife of Lappidoth, was a prophet who was judging Israel at that time. She would sit under the Palm of Deborah, between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites would go to her for judgment.” (Judges 4)

After judge Ehud died, the Israelites again forgot how important it was to live obediently for God. And again, God took away His protection—they obviously thought they could take care of themselves—and Jabin, the king of the Canaanites treated the people badly for twenty years, or rather Sisera, his military leader did. The Israelites realized their problem and asked God to help them.

At the time, Deborah was a judge and a prophet. It was special to be the leader of the people as a judge and it was special to hear from God as a prophet. It was super special that Deborah was both. God told her to give a job to Barak, to gather the Israelites and fight against Sisera, but Barak was too scared to go alone. He wanted Deborah to come with him, which she agreed to do, but told Barak he wasn’t going to credit for the victory…a woman would.

With Deborah’s help, Barak did what God had instructed him to do and gathered 10,000 men to fight against Sisera and his army. God was on their side and only Sisera escaped. He went to a neighbours who he thought would protect him…boy was he wrong. Jael gave Sisera a glass of milk and had him lie down all covered up. Well, of course he fell asleep and, when he did, she killed him. When Barak came by, Jael told him who was in her tent. Sisera and all of his army were no longer a problem for the Israelites. Jael was given credit for defeating Sisera, just as Deborah had said. Deborah remained Israel’s judge for forty years and the Israelites followed God.

Think about it...
• Deborah was a judge and a prophet. How would you like to have both of those jobs…at the same time?
• Deborah gave God’s message to Barak, but he was scared. Why do you think he wanted Deborah to come along?
• Barak obeyed and God helped them. What happened?
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Prayer: Thank you, God, for Deborah’s example. She was both a prophet and a judge of the people Israel because she knew how important it was to obey you. Help us to always obey you like Deborah did. The most important thing for any leader is to trust you!