JUDGES 4
3
Outlines
Judges 4
TRIUMPH
OPPRESSION BY THE FOE – Vss. 1-3
OBSTRUCTION THROUGH UNBELIEF – Vss. 8-9
OBEDIENCE THROUGH FAITH – Vss. 10-14
OBLITERATION OF THE ENEMY – Vss. 15-24
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Judges 4
CUSTOM SOLUTION
My wife Dottie and I
have discovered that God is very creative.
He does not always solve our problems the same way or the way we
expect. Recently when our daughter,
Donna, was married, we had a financial need.
God solved the problem in ways we didn't expect. There were fewer guests than expected. The price of the meals was less than we
originally figured. And someone
anonymously gave $400 to Donna for us to use towards the wedding.
God works "custom
solutions" to the various problems we have. He also had a custom solution
for the Israelites in Judges 4.
BACKGROUND - Vss. 1-3
After Judge Ehud died
the Israelites went back into Apostasy. They "did evil in the sight of the
Lord."
A King by the name of Jabin was ruling, but the real power appears to be a
general by the name of Sisera.
The Israelites, who were
in bondage, cried to the Lord.
A UNIQUE WOMAN - Vss.
4-5
God does not always
deliver us the way we think He should.
The main political
figure in
She was unique for two
reasons. First of all, she was a prophetess, a rare person found in the Old
Testament. There were not many. Secondly, she was a judge. She was the only woman judge that we know of
in
A UNIQUE SUMMONS - Vss.
6-7
Although Deborah was a
prophetess and a judge, she was not a general.
She sent a message to a
man named Barak, whose name means
"lightening".
He was to lead an army
against Sisera and is promised victory.
When God is leading, His
promised results are guaranteed!
A UNIQUE RESPONSE - Vs.
8
Barak's response was only partially acceptable. He said, "I'll
go if you go with me."
A UNIQUE PROMISE - Vs. 9
Deborah announced that
she would go with Barak. However, because of Barak
setting down conditions, He was told that the journey would not be to bring him
honor. Instead the victory would be in the hand of a woman.
This promise was
fulfilled in two ways. First, the death of Sisera was
in the hand of a woman. Secondly, More emphasis is placed on Deborah than it is
Barak. We think of it as Deborah's victory.
A UNIQUE VICTORY - Vss.
10-16
God brought about a
great victory for
A UNIQUE DEMISE - Vss.
17-22
Using a tent peg Jail
took Sisera's life.
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Judges 4
A RESCUE
THE CALL OF GOD – Vss. 1-7
THE CAUTION OF BARAK – Vs. 8
THE CONSEQUENCE OF UNBELIEF – Vs. 9
THE CONQUEST OF THE ENEMY – Vss. 10-16, 23-24
THE CESSATION OF SISERA –
Vss. 17-22