Scripture

When the men of Judah attacked, the Lord gave them victory over the Canaanites and the Perezites, and they killed 10,000 enemy warriors at the town of Bezek.

Observation

After the death of Joshua, the Israelites ask the Lord which tribe should attack the Canaanites. The Lord tells them Judah, and that He has already given them victory.

So the men of Judah, assisted by the tribe of Simeon, take on the Canaanites and the Perezites, killing 10,000 warriors at the town of Bezek.

The fighters from Judah destroy many towns and their inhabitants, conquering and controlling much of the land.

Application

It is clear from this passage that the people of Israel were dependant on God for their land. When they followed God’s battle plans, they had victory. When they try to do it in their own ability and their own wisdom, they failed miserably.

We are fighting in a battle for control of the territory that the Lord has assigned to us. Satan is constantly trying to intimidate us so that he can kill, steal, and destroy all that God has for us.

We have to fight this war on God’s terms and not our own. The weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, they are spiritual.

When we trust God and walk in his ways, then the battle and the victory belong to the Lord.

Prayer

Lord, I thank you that you are greater than the enemy. Please help me to align my ways with your plans for me. Amen.

*Scripture*

On that day, God subdued Jabin, the Canaanite king, before the Israelites.

*Observation*
The Israelites sin against the Lord who sends another foreign king to oppress them. The prophetess Deborah is leading the nation at the time, and she sends for Barak to tell him it is time for Israel to be free.

But Barak is afraid and says he will only go if Deborah goes with him. She agrees, and they go to Kedesh where Barak raises an army. The Lord defeats Sisera the Canaanite general, and all the troops are killed. Sisera abandons his chariot and flees on foot.

Along the way, Sisera seeks refuge in the tent of Jael. She invites him in, and while he is sleeping she drives a tent peg through his head.

*Application*
Barak’s words are very similar to those of Moses: “If you go with me I will go, but if you don’t go with me I won’t go.”

While Moses said these words to the Lord, Barak addressed them to Deborah.

God places leaders, prophets, pastors and teachers in the church, but when we are more dependent on them than on the Lord that is idolatry.

We need to honour those over us in the Lord, but we also need to make sure that we are listening to the Lord on our own behalf, pursuing Him and not just relying on another person’s relationship with Him.

*Prayer*
Lord it is awesome to know that you desire friendship directly with me. May I always put my primary trust in you rather than in other people. Amen.