Barak Obeyed God

Barak was another of those mighty Hebrew warriors who answered the call of God despite overwhelming odds. His name means lightning.Once again in the time of the judges, Israel had drifted away from God, and the Canaanites oppressed them for 20 years. God called up Deborah, a wise and holy woman, to be a judge and prophetess over the Jews, the only female among the 12 judges.

Deborah summoned Barak, telling him God had commanded him to gather the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali and go to Mount Tabor. Barak hesitated, saying he would go only if Deborah went with him. Deborah agreed, but because of Barak's lack of faith in God, she told him credit for the victory would not go to him, but to a woman.

Barak led a force of 10,000 men, but Sisera, commander of King Jabin's Canaanite army, had the advantage, because Sisera had 900 iron chariots. In ancient warfare, chariots were like tanks: swift, intimidating and deadly.

Deborah told Barak to advance because the Lord had gone before him. Barak and his men raced down Mount Tabor. God brought a massive rainstorm. The ground turned to mud, bogging down Sisera's chariots. The stream Kishon overflowed, sweeping many of the Canaanites away. The Bible says Barak and his men pursued. Not one of Israel's enemies was left alive.