“Israel sinned again…,” v1, and for twenty years, God allowed them to be in bondage. And again they called on God. A prophetess, Deborah, was leading Israel. She summoned Barak and told him God was sending him to lead the army. His answer was, “I will go if you will go with me,” v8. Ultimately, Sisera, the commander of the Canaanite army was defeated.  Sisera himself fled. Exhausted, he stopped at a tent to rest. Jael, the wife of a godly man, killed him. 

This strange story fits few preconceptions of God. Yet there are lessons:  God will hear when people repent; God can and will use anyone, woman or man,  to accomplish His purpose; God knows who really deserves the credit for victories, v9. One’s office does not earn honor before God; God looks for obedience.