Community Group Study Guide — The Lord is Our Salvation
Judges 4-5
Oct 25, 2026
Study Information:
Previously in the book of Judges we learned that Israel was fearful of the advanced technology of the Canaanites and part of their disobedience came from their lack of faith in God’s strength. However with the right leaders who direct the people towards faithfulness in God they were able to overcome that fear and lack of trust, facing 900 chariots of iron. We also learn that faith is humble, courageous and willing to share honor as God accomplished his salvation through the role and gifting of three different people, including for the first time two women.
A New Threat and a New Judge
Judges 4:1-10
Ehud died and the cycle of judges repeated itself. Israel did what was evil in God’s sight, fell into idolatry and God sent a nation to discipline them. This time the judge that the Lord raised up was a woman named Deborah and God used her unique skills and abilities to lead Israel to freedom. Deborah was described as a prophetess and a judge (Jud 4:4). Deborah had different gifts and a different call than Othniel, Gideon and others. She is presented here as a wise counselor and leader. She held court, made rulings over disputes and spoke prophetic words from God. Rather than taking up a sword and leading an army, Deborah ruled with her counsel and her prophetic words and recruited others to complement where she was lacking in military leadership, like Barak (Judge 4:8-10). Deborah was called a mother in Israel (Judges 5:7). In this role she highlights a key aspect of Christ’s ministry and salvation as our wonderful counselor who rules with righteousness and justice (Isaiah 9:8-9).
Deborah knew of the threat of Jabin, king of Canaan and Sisera his general, and she recruited Barak to lead the military. They made a pact in verse 8 to be in this together. This can sometimes be read pessimistically that Barak was fearful and tentative and that God only used Deborah because a man was unwilling to go; but notice that Deborah was already ruling and leading Israel and Barak was looking for support and an alliance. Likewise, Deborah’s words in verse 9 function more as a prophecy rather than a rebuke. Her prophecy was that another would kill Sisera, not a rebuke for a lack of faith on Barak’s part. Rather, Barak shows us that true faith is willing to share the honor and pursue humility. For this, Barak was commended as a faithful person in Hebrews 11.
God Fought for Israel
Judges 4:11-16, 5:19-21
Throughout scripture we get a poem or song paired with a historical event and the song often draws our eyes to heaven and God’s work. Deborah’s song teaches us about God’s hidden hand in their victory. If we remember back to Judges 1:19, the people lacked faith n God’s strength in the face of the superior tech of the Canaanites, namely the chariots of iron. Similarly the Canaanites have 900 chariots of iron, which historians tell us would have mowed down the 10,000 Israelite soldiers with ease. Nevertheless they still go out against the Canaanites trusting God to supply the victory. The Lord routed Sisera and the Canaanites forcing Sisera to escape on foot. (Jud 4:15-16). How did God do this? God used nature to fight against the Canaanites. Deborah’s song tells us that the earth quaked, the heavens dropped rain and even the stars fought against the Canaanites. This rain likely created a flash flood, “the torrents of Kishan swept them away.” How do you neutralize 900 chariots or iron? Rain, mud and a flood.
Tent Pegs
Judges 4:17-24
Sisera fled the battle, which led to a final hero to enter the story. Jabin and Sisera had an alliance with the Kenites, but at least one Kenite family broke from that alliance. Heber the Kenite separated from the Kenites and was a descendent of Moses’s father in Law. The text foreshadowed this salvation in verse 11 when we were told that Heber had pitched his tent far away near Kedesh (Jud 5:11). After Sisera fled the battle he likely saw this tent as as a safe place since the Kenites were friendly, however Heber had separated from the Kenites and his wife Jael had different plans. Jael invited Sisera in and treated him like a mother, she gave him milk, tucked him in and put him to bed and promised to keep guard for him to protect him. However, Jael lied, as soon as Sisera was asleep she took a tent peg and pounded it thorough his skull. Jael lied, committed murder and broke Near Eastern hospitality laws and yet she is called blessed for this (Jud 5:24). She was commended because of how evil Sisera was. In Deborah’s response song, Deborah imagined Sisera’s mom waiting by the window to see him come home but he would not return (Jud 5:28-31). Sisera’s mom’s lamented “have you not found the spoil yet? A womb or two for every man…” Womb is another instance of mother language, and yet what was pointed out was that Sisera and their army were taking women as sex slaves as part of the spoil; a woman or two for every man. Sisera was truly a dark and wicked person and God used Jael to bring him down. This is important, this imagery turns women from potential spoils of war to heroes of deliverance.
The Lord Is Our Salvation
Judges 5:2, 31
When we look at this passage from a bird’s eye view we see three important features. First, faithful leaders make a difference in our lives. Judges 5:2 described how the people offered themselves willingly when the leaders took the lead. Israel faced the same challenges as Judges 1:19, but this time they trusted that God would rescue them. Faithlessness puts obstacles in front of God and doubts his strength and we need leaders who can remind us of God’s promise and power. Second, God uses a multitude of people to accomplish his salvation so that honor is shared. We have three very different people who are key to the defeat of Jabin and Sisera. Deborah who ruled and counseled, Barak who led the military and Jael who ultimately took Sisera out of this world. Finally, the Lord is the one who saves. God routed Sisera’s army and used even the stars and the skies to bring about their defeat. Nothing is impossible for God.
At your community group:
Take 15-20 minutes to share about how God has been at work in your life, prayer concerns and pray for one another.
How did God speak to you through the scripture and the sermon this week?
Discussion Questions:
Read Judges 4:1-24
Describe Deborah and how did she lead Israel in a unique way compared to the other judges we’ve met? What was Barak’s role and who was Jael?
Barak went into battle knowing someone else would have the ultimate victory over Sisera (Judges 4:9). How does this demonstrate humility? Does the desire for recognition impact your willingness to serve God?
The Canaanites had 900 chariots of iron which would have been a challenging military obstacle. How did the Lord neutralize the chariots and give Israel victory?
What is the role of godly leadership in this passage? Consider how God used a multitude of leaders and what Judges 5:2 tells us.
