Barak trusted Lord and recognized that Deborah was his "link with headquarters." If God prophetess would not go with him on this mission, then he would not go.

verse 9...And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for LORD shall sell Sisera into hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.

A leadership team is formed. God is commander, Deborah will convey God's order to Barak then Barak would command army. Deborah told Barak that he would not receive credit for Israel's victory. The victory would be given to a woman.

verse 14...And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this is day which LORD hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not LORD gone out before thee? So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him.

The prophetess gave command with utmost confidence that Lord Himself was advancing battle ahead of ten thousand men. Barak led his troops down slope of Tabor and across valley floor to meet chariots and infantry by river.

verse 15...And LORD discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his host, with edge of sword before Barak; so that Sisera lighted down off his chariot, and fled away on his feet.

The Enemy's Defeat.

verse 17a...Howbeit Sisera fled away on his feet to tent of Jael wife of Heber Kenite.

Heber is Kenite, he belonged to tribe of Hobab father-in-law of Moses (Judges 4:11). The Kenites had become affiliated with tribe of Judah to south (Judges 1:16) but Heber and his wife had chosen a solitary life in north for they were nomadic shepherds.

Jael's heart was with Israel. She welcomed him into tent and agreed to hide him there.

Sisera was a powerful General whose troops outnumbered army of Israelites and whose weapons was superior to theirs. His first mistake was to place his trust in his military might.

Kenite --------- Kenya -------- Africa

Scripture text-history-reference:

Crusade @ Bible Publishers, Inc. 1970, Mt. Juliet, Tn, USA, 37122

The Precious Promise Bible KJV, "International", Copyright 1915/1908 By The J C Winston Co., Entered 1915/1908 At Stationer's Hall, ALL Rights Reserved, Printed in USA

New Devotional "KJV" & Explanatory Bible, Old & New Testaments, Apocrypha, Concordance, & Psalms in Metre; Entered according to Act of Congress, in year 1879, by J R Jones, in Office of Librarian of Congress at Washington

Independent Researcher, Writer, Advocate

The opening book chapter of book of Esther tells of a 180 day feast given by Xerxes in third year of his reign. The banquets was a time to decide concerning an invasion of Greece. Between third year of Xerxes, when Queen Vashti was deposed, and his seventh year (Esther 2:16), when Esther was made queen, Xerxes campaign against Greece took place, ending in dismal failure.

The royal favorite was Haman, called thought to mean that he was of Amalekite descent and hence one of hereditary obeisance. Haman was wroth and determined to get revenge by bringing about a massacre of all Jews throughout Persian Empire.

It was then that Mordecai, warned Esther of terrible proposed destruction and urged her to intercede with king in her people's behalf. Mordecai suggested that Esther elevation to position of queen might be a part of a divine plan to save Jews from death. There was prayer and fasting. Then Esther risked her life and went in before king.

The king held out to Esther his scepter, and asked her what was her request. Esther invited king and Haman to a banquet and then to a second banquet. Haman was highly elated, but Mordecai was honored instead of being hanged on gallows prepared for him. The plot of Haman to destroy Jews was revealed.

The 14th day of Adar, first day on which feast of Purim is celebrated, is called in apocryphal book of 2 Maccabees "Mordecai's day," which shows plainly that Purim was observed late in period between Old and New Testament (2 Macc 15:36).

The 13th day has been observed by fasting in honor of Esther's prayer and fasting before she approached king. On following morning of 14th, synagogue services are held, with reading of Esther (Exodus 17:8-16) which records destruction of Amalekites (Esther 3:1). Presents are given to poor and to friends, and rest of day, as also 15th, is observed with feasting and rejoicing.

Scripture text-history-reference:

Crusade @ Bible Publishers, Inc. 1970, Mt. Juliet, Tn, USA, 37122

The Precious Promise Bible KJV, "International", Copyright 1915/1908 By The J C Winston Co., Entered 1915/1908 At Stationer's Hall, ALL Rights Reserved, Printed in USA

New Devotional "KJV" & Explanatory Bible, Old & New Testaments, Apocrypha, Concordance, & Psalms in Metre; Entered according to Act of Congress, in year 1879, by J R Jones, in Office of Librarian of Congress at Washington

Independent Homebase Researcher, Writer, Advocate