Bible Society of South Africa

Barak and Deborah – 3 August 2021

By Xanthe Hancox

Itekisi yeBhayibhile

IINKOKHELI 4

6UDibhora wathumela wabiza uBharaki unyana ka-Abhinowam eKedeshe kwaNafetali. Wathetha naye wathi: “Nanku umyalelo ophuma kuNdikhoyo uThixo kaSirayeli: Qokelela ishumi lamawaka amadoda kwaNafetali nakwaZebhulon, uhambe nawo uye kwintaba iTabhore. 7Ke mna ndiya kumenza uSisera, injengele yomkhosi kaJabhin, eze kuwe kumlambo iKishon. Uya kuba exhobile, eneenqwelo namabutho akhe, kodwa ke ndiya kumnikela esandleni sakho.”

8UBharaki ke waphendula wathi: “Kulungile, ukuba siza kuhamba kunye, kodwa ukuba akuyi wena, nam andiyi.”

9Ke yena wathi: “Ewe, ukuhamba oku ndiya kuhamba, kodwa ke uze wazi ukuba udumo lwale mfazwe aluyi kuza kuwe, kuba uNdikhoyo uya kumnikela emfazini uSisera lowo.”

Ngoko ke uDibhora waya eKedeshe ehamba noBharaki.

IINKOKHELI 4:6-9XHO96Vula kumfundi weBhayibhile

Yesterday we looked at the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11. You might be wondering how Barak made it onto that list instead of Deborah. After all, he seemed reluctant to go to battle without Deborah, lacking faith perhaps.

Barak had good reason to be afraid. The enemy had nine hundred iron chariots! The Old Testament prophets and judges, however, played a major role in battle. They mustered and inspired the troops. Barak’s request that Deborah, the prophetess, would accompany him is quite reasonable.

This still does not answer the question of why Barak is mentioned as a hero of faith in Hebrews 11 instead of Deborah. After all, Rahab, the prostitute, is mentioned, so why would Deborah, a strong woman judge and prophetess, be ignored? We don’t know for sure, but some researchers think it might have been to appeal to the original Jewish readers of Hebrews who had a somewhat different idea of what women should be doing.

But there are lessons to be learned from Barak, the hero of faith. He certainly trusted Deborah. He knew that he needed the Lord on his side, and he recognised that Deborah had the gift of prophecy. Deborah would see things with her spiritual eyes that Barak could not see. It made sense to have Deborah by his side if his army was going to face a formidable foe. When Deborah reminded Barak that the honour for this venture would go to a woman, Barak did not care. It was not about the honour. It was about doing what the Lord wanted Barak to do, and he knew he could do that better if he had Deborah at his side.

Are you lifting those around you? Are their loads lighter because you are around? There is no greater joy than building one another up and helping each other be the best we can be.

Prayer: Father, thank you for the example of Barak and Deborah. Help me to recognise the gifts of those you have brought into my life to support me, as I support others. In Jesus’ name, Amen

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