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 the pattern
- Our lesson exhibits the typical pattern that runs throughout the entire book of Judges-a
sermon in itself! God punishes the Israelites for their sinfulness by allowing enemies to
oppress them; they then cry out to God for deliverance; and God dramatically intervenes to
deliver them through a judge-or in this case, through several judge-like characters.
the judges three - Judges 4 is an interesting account from the
pre-monarchy period. This story presents three characters who reflect judgelike
characteristics-Deborah, a prophet and judge who arbitrates for the people; Barak is a
tribal/military leader who leads Israel’s army against the Canaanites, yet falls
short of knocking off his opposite, Sisera; and finally, we have an unlikely
judge-heroine, Jael, a non-Israelite who knocks off the Canaanite general via a tent peg.
None claim victory apart from the others contributions, yet all three can claim some part
of the judge’s mantle. [1]
the learning curve? - We always have the opportunity to overcome the
pain and oppression of our sinfulness that causes us to cry out to God. With God’s
intervention we can correct our own faults and failings and, like Deborah, help others in
our common struggle against the power of evil and sin in our lives. [2]
 Who came to your rescue when you
got yourself into a jam growing up?
What made Deborah a leader in a male-dominated world? Her gifts? Her courage
(audacity)? Her military prowess? Her strong confidence in God?
What quality of Deborah’s would you most like to have? Faith? Mediation skills?
Leadership ability? Boldness? Inner strength?
In what way have you experienced God’s deliverance? [3]
 block #1 - Recall
news stories in which unlikely people find themselves the hero or heroine of the hour. Or
revisit the movie (forgive me, I forgot the title) where Al Pacino is the unlikely hero in
a phenomenal plane crash rescue attempt. (It also co-stars Andy Garcia.) Anyway, Pacino is
not our version of what a "hero" should look like or sound like, yet this
unlikely candidate becomes the conduit through which many lives are saved.
block #2 - Shift to the biblical narrative about unlikely players in
this interesting drama of deliverance. Describe each of the three heroes/heroines:
Deborah, Barak, and Jael.
block #3 - suggest how God throughout history uses individuals and
groups as God’s unlikely heroes and heroines to bring great salvation to others. As
God has proven again and again, it is not by our standards or choices that God chooses to
save us, it is by God alone. [4]
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