May Your Volunteer Spirit Bring Praise to Jehovah God!

PARALYZED BY FEAR, THEN FORTIFIED BY GOD

The Israelites had been "harshly oppressed" by Canaanite King Jabin for 20 years.  Villagers were afraid even to be seen in public. From a military standpoint, they were ill-equipped, having neither offensive weapons not defensive armor, whereas their enemies had 900 war chariots with iron scythes. -Judges 4:1-3, 13; 5:6-8. 

Nevertheless, Jehovah gave Barak this clear command through Deborah the prophetess:   "Go and march to Mount Tabor, and take 10,000 men of Naphtali and Zebulun with you. I will bring you to Sisera, the chief of Jabin's army, along with his war chariots and his troops to the stream of Kishon, and I will give him into your hand." -Judges 4:4-7.

Word spread. The volunteers gathered at Mount Tabor. Barak wasted no time in following Jehovah's instructions.   (Read Judges 4: 14-16) During the main battle in Taanach, a sudden outburst turned the surroundings  into a marsh. Barak chased Sisera's army all the way to Harosheth-a 15-mile (24 km) route.  At some point along the way, Sisera abandoned his once frightening but now useless chariot and ran to Zaanannim, perhaps near Kedesh.   He sought refuge in the ten of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, and was welcomed by Jael, Exhausted from battle , he fell asleep. Sisera was not vulnerable to Jael's decisive act of courage to put him to death.  (Judges 4:17-21) Israel's army was defeated! 

Next time: May Your Volunteer Spirit Bring Praise to Jehovah God! - A CONTRAST IN ATTITUDE TOWARD VOLUNTEER SERVICE

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