1 00:00:00,320 --> 00:00:04,640 Speaker 1: And behold as Barrack pursued Ceserah, Jael came out to 2 00:00:04,640 --> 00:00:08,000 Speaker 1: meet him and said, unto him, come and I will 3 00:00:08,039 --> 00:00:11,080 Speaker 1: show ye the man whom thou seekest. And when he 4 00:00:11,119 --> 00:00:14,640 Speaker 1: came into her tent, behold, Cicera lay dead, and the 5 00:00:14,760 --> 00:00:19,720 Speaker 1: nail was in his temples Judges four twenty two. Dear 6 00:00:19,760 --> 00:00:22,640 Speaker 1: Heavenly Father, as I reflect on the life of Deborah, 7 00:00:23,120 --> 00:00:25,960 Speaker 1: I thank you that you are giving me the wisdom, knowledge, 8 00:00:25,960 --> 00:00:30,360 Speaker 1: and understanding that I possess to day. I declare the 9 00:00:30,360 --> 00:00:33,840 Speaker 1: Deborah's boldness on the battlefield will be the same boldness 10 00:00:33,840 --> 00:00:37,160 Speaker 1: I have as I walk through new doors of opportunity. 11 00:00:38,159 --> 00:00:42,560 Speaker 1: As she declared victory in advance, I too, am claiming 12 00:00:42,640 --> 00:00:46,280 Speaker 1: victory and divine favor over my life, my decisions, and 13 00:00:46,400 --> 00:00:50,000 Speaker 1: my projects. I will not wait to see the victory 14 00:00:50,280 --> 00:00:54,720 Speaker 1: before I claim it, because I have faith, and faith 15 00:00:55,280 --> 00:00:58,600 Speaker 1: is believing what is not seen, to call what is 16 00:00:58,680 --> 00:01:02,080 Speaker 1: not as though it was. Yes, as in Judges four 17 00:01:02,160 --> 00:01:05,440 Speaker 1: or five, I praise you for setting up others to 18 00:01:05,440 --> 00:01:08,520 Speaker 1: help accomplish my task, like you did through the life 19 00:01:08,560 --> 00:01:13,080 Speaker 1: of Barrick and Jail. I decree and declare that all 20 00:01:13,200 --> 00:01:16,319 Speaker 1: fear based thinking will be pinned to the floor of 21 00:01:16,400 --> 00:01:24,160 Speaker 1: defeat as I raise and claim my victory in Jesus's name. Amen. 22 00:01:25,480 --> 00:01:29,200 Speaker 1: Listening to these daily prayers strengthens your relationship with God. 23 00:01:29,760 --> 00:01:33,640 Speaker 1: Continue hearing from the Lord by listening to Today's Bible 24 00:01:33,720 --> 00:01:36,919 Speaker 1: in a year brought to you by Bible in ayear 25 00:01:37,080 --> 00:01:38,120 Speaker 1: dot Com. 26 00:01:38,440 --> 00:01:41,040 Speaker 2: Click the link of the description to grow closer to God. 27 00:01:41,480 --> 00:01:45,160 Speaker 2: There you'll find daily prayers, Bible plans, sleep stories, and 28 00:01:45,240 --> 00:01:47,920 Speaker 2: so much more, all on the prey dot com app. 29 00:01:48,320 --> 00:01:50,400 Speaker 2: Click the link of the description to get started. 30 00:01:56,720 --> 00:02:02,200 Speaker 3: The Palm of Deborah. Previous we learned about the backsliding 31 00:02:02,280 --> 00:02:06,160 Speaker 3: people of Israel. Despite all God had done for them, 32 00:02:06,520 --> 00:02:10,960 Speaker 3: they continued to give themselves to other idols. As a result, 33 00:02:11,320 --> 00:02:15,640 Speaker 3: they were overtaken and made slaves by neighboring kingdoms. But 34 00:02:15,800 --> 00:02:21,120 Speaker 3: God sent the mighty judges Ofthnia and Ahud. Both were 35 00:02:21,240 --> 00:02:25,160 Speaker 3: crafty and brave men chosen by God to save the 36 00:02:25,240 --> 00:02:30,200 Speaker 3: Israelites from their own disobedience and captivity. Now we will 37 00:02:30,280 --> 00:02:32,400 Speaker 3: learn about the deliverance of Israel. 38 00:02:32,560 --> 00:02:33,200 Speaker 1: Once again. 39 00:02:34,000 --> 00:02:38,160 Speaker 3: God summons the leadership of Deborah and Barak to free 40 00:02:38,280 --> 00:02:42,560 Speaker 3: the people from the oppression of the Canaanites. Inspired by 41 00:02:42,600 --> 00:02:43,840 Speaker 3: the Book of Judges. 42 00:02:46,760 --> 00:02:49,480 Speaker 4: Hello, I'm Jack Graham with today's episode of the Bible 43 00:02:49,480 --> 00:02:52,560 Speaker 4: in a Year podcast. But before we began, I want 44 00:02:52,560 --> 00:02:56,000 Speaker 4: to let you know about a unique ebook that's yours 45 00:02:56,000 --> 00:03:01,240 Speaker 4: to download absolutely free today. It's called Breaking From Stress, 46 00:03:01,560 --> 00:03:03,960 Speaker 4: and my prayer is that it will help you conquer 47 00:03:04,040 --> 00:03:07,360 Speaker 4: the daily task and pressures and burdens that bring stress 48 00:03:07,400 --> 00:03:11,080 Speaker 4: in your life. Download your free copy of Breaking Free 49 00:03:11,120 --> 00:03:16,000 Speaker 4: from Stress today by visiting Jack Graham dot org slash stress. 50 00:03:16,560 --> 00:03:22,000 Speaker 4: That's Jack Graham dot org slash stress. In our previous episode, 51 00:03:22,040 --> 00:03:25,280 Speaker 4: we enter into the time of the Judges. We heard 52 00:03:25,320 --> 00:03:29,240 Speaker 4: how Israel entered into a cycle of sinning and captivity 53 00:03:29,360 --> 00:03:33,240 Speaker 4: and repentance and then rescue from God. Each time they 54 00:03:33,280 --> 00:03:35,640 Speaker 4: cried out to God for help, God would give them 55 00:03:35,880 --> 00:03:39,000 Speaker 4: a powerful man of valor and righteousness who would lead 56 00:03:39,080 --> 00:03:43,280 Speaker 4: God's people to freedom, not just from physical captivity, but 57 00:03:43,480 --> 00:03:49,360 Speaker 4: spiritual bondage. Today we'll learn how Israel sinned again and 58 00:03:49,520 --> 00:03:54,360 Speaker 4: were conquered by another nation. As always, God will set 59 00:03:54,400 --> 00:03:58,960 Speaker 4: them free from oppression, and he'll work through two notable 60 00:03:59,200 --> 00:04:03,560 Speaker 4: and powerful women. As you listen today, take note and 61 00:04:03,640 --> 00:04:06,080 Speaker 4: remember that the hero in the story is never the 62 00:04:06,120 --> 00:04:10,600 Speaker 4: one through whom God works, but rather God himself. So 63 00:04:11,080 --> 00:04:13,000 Speaker 4: let's listen now to today's reading. 64 00:04:14,280 --> 00:04:19,520 Speaker 3: The pursuit of darkness continued. Israel was tempted by every 65 00:04:19,640 --> 00:04:23,080 Speaker 3: God of the land. They looked for any excuse to 66 00:04:23,200 --> 00:04:29,120 Speaker 3: satisfy their selfish desires and pursuit of simple comforts. As before, 67 00:04:29,560 --> 00:04:32,720 Speaker 3: God removed his hand of blessing and allowed them to 68 00:04:32,800 --> 00:04:37,000 Speaker 3: fill their hearts with sin. God would not beg for 69 00:04:37,040 --> 00:04:41,000 Speaker 3: their love, but he would not leave them either. Soon 70 00:04:41,160 --> 00:04:44,640 Speaker 3: after a Hood died, Jabin, King of Canaan, and his 71 00:04:44,800 --> 00:04:50,159 Speaker 3: general Siserah attacked Israel with nine hundred chariots of iron. 72 00:04:50,680 --> 00:04:54,360 Speaker 3: Like a black wave, the Canaanite army crashed upon Israel. 73 00:04:54,839 --> 00:05:00,359 Speaker 3: They consumed them, drowning in oppression, sin, and helplessness. The 74 00:05:00,440 --> 00:05:04,920 Speaker 3: children of Israel cried out to God again. Judging over 75 00:05:05,080 --> 00:05:08,480 Speaker 3: Israel at that time was Deborah. She was a strong 76 00:05:08,760 --> 00:05:13,839 Speaker 3: and wise woman, a prophetess devoted to God. People would 77 00:05:13,839 --> 00:05:17,280 Speaker 3: often seek Deborah's wisdom and come to her with disputes. 78 00:05:17,960 --> 00:05:22,800 Speaker 3: Her pragmatism, discernment, and sensitivity to God's spirit made her 79 00:05:22,839 --> 00:05:26,599 Speaker 3: a leader worth following. When the oppressive hand of Jabin 80 00:05:26,720 --> 00:05:30,400 Speaker 3: pressed upon the throat of Israel. Deborah sent for Barak, 81 00:05:30,720 --> 00:05:35,159 Speaker 3: a commander of Israel's army. Barak came at once and 82 00:05:35,240 --> 00:05:39,320 Speaker 3: stood at attention before Deborah. She spoke to him, saying, 83 00:05:39,800 --> 00:05:43,640 Speaker 3: the Lord has commanded you to take ten thousand soldiers 84 00:05:44,080 --> 00:05:48,880 Speaker 3: and go against Ciserah. Barak gulped, slightly scared at the 85 00:05:48,880 --> 00:05:52,680 Speaker 3: thought of facing nine hundred iron chariots and even more 86 00:05:52,760 --> 00:05:57,039 Speaker 3: foot soldiers. He looked at Deborah and said, I will go, 87 00:05:57,680 --> 00:06:02,840 Speaker 3: but only if you go with me. Deborah smiled and nodded, saying, 88 00:06:03,040 --> 00:06:05,640 Speaker 3: of course I will go with you, but know this, 89 00:06:06,120 --> 00:06:09,000 Speaker 3: there will be no glory for you if you are victorious, 90 00:06:09,480 --> 00:06:12,359 Speaker 3: for the Lord is giving Caeserah into the hand of 91 00:06:12,400 --> 00:06:16,360 Speaker 3: a woman. Then Deborah rose and rode like the wind 92 00:06:16,440 --> 00:06:20,719 Speaker 3: with Barak to the valley of Kadesh. Ten thousand men 93 00:06:20,800 --> 00:06:24,520 Speaker 3: followed them, and they rode with purpose to war. The 94 00:06:24,600 --> 00:06:28,320 Speaker 3: two armies met for battle. The vast numbers of Israel 95 00:06:28,360 --> 00:06:32,720 Speaker 3: looked thin compared to the bulk of Caeserah's chariots. Deborah 96 00:06:32,800 --> 00:06:36,560 Speaker 3: could sense the weakness in her men. She rode among them, 97 00:06:36,800 --> 00:06:40,599 Speaker 3: clanging her sword against theirs. She yelled at the top 98 00:06:40,640 --> 00:06:45,400 Speaker 3: of her lungs, saying arise. God has already given them 99 00:06:45,440 --> 00:06:49,320 Speaker 3: into our hands. Does he not go before you? The 100 00:06:49,400 --> 00:06:53,640 Speaker 3: soldiers raised their swords and spears and followed Deborah and 101 00:06:53,680 --> 00:06:58,480 Speaker 3: Barak into battle. The army of Israel overpowered the chariots 102 00:06:58,839 --> 00:07:03,440 Speaker 3: one by one. Iron fell into the dust. Barak fought 103 00:07:03,480 --> 00:07:07,599 Speaker 3: among the men, his sword gliding through flesh and bone. 104 00:07:07,760 --> 00:07:10,640 Speaker 3: Spears flew through the air, hidding the hearts of the 105 00:07:10,720 --> 00:07:15,000 Speaker 3: chariot drivers, horses, and men fell to the ground, and 106 00:07:15,200 --> 00:07:18,520 Speaker 3: Sir Sarah could already sense he had lost the battle. 107 00:07:19,440 --> 00:07:22,880 Speaker 3: So Sarah leaped off his chariot and ran away on foot, 108 00:07:23,080 --> 00:07:25,840 Speaker 3: looking back to make sure none of his men witnessed 109 00:07:25,840 --> 00:07:30,000 Speaker 3: his cowardice. He ran further and further away from the camp, 110 00:07:30,400 --> 00:07:34,640 Speaker 3: and the screams of men were replaced by silence. None 111 00:07:34,760 --> 00:07:38,400 Speaker 3: were left alive, so Sarah had escaped up towards the 112 00:07:38,440 --> 00:07:42,360 Speaker 3: tent of one of his allies, hebre There, Sir Sarah 113 00:07:42,480 --> 00:07:46,480 Speaker 3: met with Heber's wife, Jail. He ordered Jail to bring 114 00:07:46,560 --> 00:07:49,600 Speaker 3: him food and something to drink, and then keep watch 115 00:07:49,640 --> 00:07:53,600 Speaker 3: while he slept. Gel brought Sirsarah milk in a blanket. 116 00:07:54,000 --> 00:07:57,920 Speaker 3: Do not be afraid, she whispered, stroking his hair. She 117 00:07:58,080 --> 00:08:01,520 Speaker 3: hushed him to sleep. She brought his hair until Ceceah 118 00:08:01,600 --> 00:08:05,080 Speaker 3: fell into a deep slumber. She covered him with a blanket. 119 00:08:05,760 --> 00:08:08,600 Speaker 3: Jel went to the entrance of the tent and picked 120 00:08:08,640 --> 00:08:12,600 Speaker 3: up a tent peg and hammer. She turned towards Ceceah 121 00:08:12,640 --> 00:08:16,160 Speaker 3: and slowly approached him. She stroked his hair some more, 122 00:08:16,600 --> 00:08:20,120 Speaker 3: and then, in one decisive swoop, hammered the tent peg 123 00:08:20,320 --> 00:08:24,360 Speaker 3: into Ceceah's skull. The peg was driven straight through his 124 00:08:24,480 --> 00:08:29,360 Speaker 3: temple and touched the dirt. Meanwhile, Barak was in hot 125 00:08:29,400 --> 00:08:32,360 Speaker 3: pursuit of Cecea and had followed him to Jail's tent. 126 00:08:33,040 --> 00:08:35,640 Speaker 3: Jael rushed out of the tent and stopped him, saying, 127 00:08:35,960 --> 00:08:39,440 Speaker 3: come quick, I will show you where he is. Barak's 128 00:08:39,440 --> 00:08:42,920 Speaker 3: eyes widened as he saw Circearah's dead body bolted to 129 00:08:42,960 --> 00:08:47,120 Speaker 3: the floor by his head. It was true God did 130 00:08:47,160 --> 00:08:50,360 Speaker 3: grant victory over Cecea to a woman, but it was 131 00:08:50,400 --> 00:08:55,240 Speaker 3: not Deborah but Jael. A pool of blood surrounded his skull. 132 00:08:56,120 --> 00:08:59,360 Speaker 3: Back on the battlefield, a pool of blood surrounded the 133 00:08:59,400 --> 00:09:00,440 Speaker 3: Canaanite mommy. 134 00:09:06,720 --> 00:09:11,040 Speaker 4: Today's story begins with Israel being seduced again by foreign gods. 135 00:09:11,800 --> 00:09:14,800 Speaker 4: The hearts of God's people turn away from Him again. 136 00:09:15,880 --> 00:09:18,160 Speaker 4: Living among those who do not know God or follow 137 00:09:18,240 --> 00:09:20,839 Speaker 4: Him as a challenge today, just as it was for 138 00:09:20,960 --> 00:09:25,600 Speaker 4: these Israelites so long ago. And the only hope for 139 00:09:25,960 --> 00:09:29,199 Speaker 4: staying true to God and keeping our faith in Him 140 00:09:29,800 --> 00:09:32,320 Speaker 4: is to always keep our eyes on the Lord and 141 00:09:32,920 --> 00:09:36,520 Speaker 4: trust in his word to us. From generation to generation, 142 00:09:37,880 --> 00:09:41,040 Speaker 4: we see from generation to generation in the life of Israel, 143 00:09:41,440 --> 00:09:44,600 Speaker 4: the people turning away from Him and then repenting and 144 00:09:44,600 --> 00:09:48,640 Speaker 4: then coming back. We see this in our own generation, 145 00:09:49,440 --> 00:09:53,480 Speaker 4: and we are praying for revival and restoration because the 146 00:09:53,520 --> 00:09:57,160 Speaker 4: Bible says, blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. 147 00:09:58,240 --> 00:10:00,840 Speaker 4: There was a foreign king in our story, Avon of Canaan, 148 00:10:00,840 --> 00:10:03,920 Speaker 4: who attacked Israel with his army. The army was led 149 00:10:03,960 --> 00:10:07,479 Speaker 4: by a man named Cesera, and they endured cruel enslavement 150 00:10:07,840 --> 00:10:12,120 Speaker 4: for twenty years. God's people cried out to him for help, 151 00:10:12,640 --> 00:10:16,920 Speaker 4: as they often did when things became difficult. How much 152 00:10:16,920 --> 00:10:19,959 Speaker 4: heartache and how much pain could have been spared if 153 00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:22,520 Speaker 4: they simply had called upon God, not just in the 154 00:10:22,559 --> 00:10:26,240 Speaker 4: bad times, but in the good times. But God did 155 00:10:26,240 --> 00:10:29,120 Speaker 4: not abandon his people. God is faithful to his promise 156 00:10:29,240 --> 00:10:32,040 Speaker 4: and to his people. He heard their cries for help. 157 00:10:32,920 --> 00:10:34,840 Speaker 4: In those days, there was a woman by the name 158 00:10:34,840 --> 00:10:39,120 Speaker 4: of Deborah, a prophetess and the only woman ever named 159 00:10:39,160 --> 00:10:42,120 Speaker 4: as a judge in the Bible. A judge in the 160 00:10:42,160 --> 00:10:46,600 Speaker 4: Bible is a deliverer a conqueror, and the people looked 161 00:10:46,600 --> 00:10:51,920 Speaker 4: to Deborah for wisdom, strength, and guidance. So Deverah, responding 162 00:10:51,920 --> 00:10:56,000 Speaker 4: to God's spirit, sent for Bhak, a commander of Israel's army. 163 00:10:56,679 --> 00:11:00,160 Speaker 4: Deborah spoke prophetic words to Bhak, revealing what God God 164 00:11:00,200 --> 00:11:03,240 Speaker 4: had commanded Bhak to do in order to defeat Jabon 165 00:11:03,400 --> 00:11:08,360 Speaker 4: and free Israel from captivity. She spoke with confidence, trusting 166 00:11:08,400 --> 00:11:12,439 Speaker 4: that God would be true to his word. Barak agreed 167 00:11:12,480 --> 00:11:15,680 Speaker 4: to go into battle, but only if Deborah went with him. 168 00:11:16,360 --> 00:11:19,760 Speaker 4: Surely he was expecting the confidence that comes from God, 169 00:11:20,200 --> 00:11:24,400 Speaker 4: but also the wisdom from Deborah. All we know is 170 00:11:24,480 --> 00:11:27,160 Speaker 4: he wanted Deborah to go with him, and she agreed. 171 00:11:27,960 --> 00:11:30,480 Speaker 4: But she made it clear that the glory for the 172 00:11:30,559 --> 00:11:33,560 Speaker 4: victory would not go to men, but that God would 173 00:11:33,600 --> 00:11:37,520 Speaker 4: be given to glory. In fact, God would give over 174 00:11:37,640 --> 00:11:41,400 Speaker 4: Javon's general Ceserah, into the hands of a woman. Surely, 175 00:11:41,440 --> 00:11:45,160 Speaker 4: Bhak assumed Deborah was speaking of herself the truth would 176 00:11:45,160 --> 00:11:49,520 Speaker 4: prove much more surprising. So Deborah went with Baarak to 177 00:11:49,559 --> 00:11:52,880 Speaker 4: meet the Canaanite army in battle. They would not have 178 00:11:52,920 --> 00:11:57,520 Speaker 4: been favored to win this battle. They were outmatched, out weaponized, 179 00:11:57,679 --> 00:12:02,600 Speaker 4: and outnumbered. But Deborah didn't view things through human eyes. 180 00:12:03,240 --> 00:12:06,120 Speaker 4: She looked with eyes of faith, and her faith filled 181 00:12:06,120 --> 00:12:09,199 Speaker 4: Barak with courage as well as he fought the battle. 182 00:12:10,760 --> 00:12:14,400 Speaker 4: God granted the Israelites victory that day. It wasn't through 183 00:12:14,440 --> 00:12:16,440 Speaker 4: the might of their army, but by the hand of 184 00:12:16,480 --> 00:12:21,040 Speaker 4: their God. Every Canaanite warrior, all the enemies were killed, 185 00:12:21,800 --> 00:12:25,319 Speaker 4: but General Cesarah escaped to the tent of Hebrew, one 186 00:12:25,360 --> 00:12:29,640 Speaker 4: of King Jabin's allies. He certainly thought he had cheated death, 187 00:12:30,120 --> 00:12:33,240 Speaker 4: but Jail, the wife of Hebert, drove a stake through 188 00:12:33,280 --> 00:12:37,080 Speaker 4: Cesera's temple as he lay sleeping, and when Bharak, who 189 00:12:37,080 --> 00:12:40,600 Speaker 4: had pursued Ceserah, came to the tent, Jail showed him 190 00:12:40,640 --> 00:12:43,559 Speaker 4: his enemy dead by her hand. It was the fulfillment 191 00:12:43,600 --> 00:12:47,760 Speaker 4: of Deborah's prophecy. Israel was freed that day, and it 192 00:12:47,880 --> 00:12:50,640 Speaker 4: was two very different women who played such a huge 193 00:12:50,720 --> 00:12:53,960 Speaker 4: role in the victory. God will use us, both men 194 00:12:54,040 --> 00:12:57,600 Speaker 4: and women, to accomplish his purposes, for his children and 195 00:12:57,679 --> 00:13:01,680 Speaker 4: for his glory. Dear God, thank you that you use 196 00:13:02,000 --> 00:13:07,960 Speaker 4: seemingly unimportant, unknown people to accomplish wonderful and powerful things. 197 00:13:08,679 --> 00:13:11,160 Speaker 4: Thank you that, as you did for Israel, you go 198 00:13:11,240 --> 00:13:14,199 Speaker 4: before us and never leave us or forsake us in 199 00:13:14,280 --> 00:13:19,480 Speaker 4: our personal battles. In Jesus' name, Amen, thank you for 200 00:13:19,559 --> 00:13:23,400 Speaker 4: listening to today's Bible into Year podcast. Before we go, 201 00:13:23,720 --> 00:13:26,160 Speaker 4: I want to let you know about a unique ebook 202 00:13:26,240 --> 00:13:31,040 Speaker 4: that's yours to download absolutely free today. It's called Breaking 203 00:13:31,080 --> 00:13:34,200 Speaker 4: Free from Stress, and my prayer is that it will 204 00:13:34,200 --> 00:13:37,280 Speaker 4: help you conquer the daily task and pressures and burdens 205 00:13:37,280 --> 00:13:41,040 Speaker 4: that bring stress into your life. Download your free copy 206 00:13:41,160 --> 00:13:44,880 Speaker 4: of Breaking Free from Stress today by visiting Jack Graham 207 00:13:44,960 --> 00:13:51,160 Speaker 4: dot org slash stress. That's Jagraham dot org slash stress. 208 00:13:52,280 --> 00:13:54,480 Speaker 2: If today's reading moved to you, the pray dot Com 209 00:13:54,520 --> 00:13:57,280 Speaker 2: app is where you can go deeper with daily prayers, 210 00:13:57,360 --> 00:14:01,400 Speaker 2: Bible plans, and more. Download it free link in the description.