THE FAITH OF BARAK
Friday – June 8, 2018, Sivan 25, 5778
We now come to another Judge of Israel by the name of Barak, who also is not a real brave warrior or leader. God selects some very unlikely people as heroes, at least from a natural prospective. Just think back to when the Prophet Samuel went to the house of Jesse to anoint the next king and it turned out to be David. David appeared to be the runt of the bunch from a natural prospective, but David spent time with God and God saw the amazing potential in David. He sees amazing potential in each one of us as well. God has a wonderful glorious plan for each of us. Will we embrace it and charge forward or not? Will we let Him develop us for our Kingdom work and the glorious end game of our lives? Now, let’s read our primary text aloud and then dive into our study of faith and Barak.
Hebrews 11:31-33 (KJV)
31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
As we pick up the story of Barak we find that he is a reluctant warrior and needs lots of encouragement. The story of the Prophetess Deborah is an integral part of the story of Barak. I will pick up this account at the beginning.
Judges 4:1-4 (KJV)
1 And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, when Ehud was dead.
2 And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host was Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles.
3 And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel.
4 And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.
Ehud was the second judge of Israel. Deborah was a judge of Israel however it appears her main calling is as a Prophetess and a warrior needed to be stood up. God choose Barak. I think you all can clearly see this pattern of the children of Israel serving the Lord, then backsliding, then calling out to God and in His mercy, God rescues them. Have any of us ever noticed this pattern in our own lives? Do we see that being played out in America? The pattern of peace on every side, then bondage and war on every side. Shining the light of God’s Truth on our thoughts, words, and ways followed by repentance to remove all darkness is the way back to wholeness, peace on every side.
Proverbs 16:5-7 (KJV)
5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
7 When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Now, back to Deborah and Barak.
Judges 4:4-6 (KJV)
4 And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.
5 And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.
6 And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?
Barak knew the will of God but had not acted. Ever been in that position? Did you choose to change it? Perhaps you are thinking you want to quit reading right here because you liked it better when the conversation was about someone else. Don’t quit, keep going the Lord, our God, wants to stand us up as mighty kings and priests (yes, I’m talking about you). Well let’s listen in and see how Barak reacted to the Prophetess Deborah’s question and instruction from the Lord.
Judges 4:8 (KJV)
8 And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go.
I think we can see that Barak had more confidence in the Prophetess Deborah than the living God of Israel at this point. I must admit that there have been many times I was more comfortable when Patti went with me. I would like to think it was not because of a lack of confidence or faith, but perhaps it was. Lord forgive me, I am forgiven. So, how did this turn out?
Judges 4:14-15 (KJV)
14 And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this is the day in which the LORD hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the LORD gone out before thee? So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him.
15 And the LORD discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his host, with the edge of the sword before Barak; so that Sisera lighted down off his chariot, and fled away on his feet.
Victory awaits us as well if we will serve the Lord and harken (listen and receive as Truth) to the voice of the prophets.
2 Chronicles 20:20 (KJV)
20 And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. (Bold added)
Until our next publication, I speak this Scriptural prayer for your life right now, receive it in the name of Jesus, confess it, and walk it out with thanksgiving.
Job 22:28 (AMP)
28 You shall also decide and decree a thing, and it shall be established for you; and the light [of God’s favor] shall shine upon your ways.
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
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