WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.740 Well, good morning. I invite you to take your copy of God's Word and turn to Judges chapter 4. 00:00:11.080 --> 00:00:24.660 In The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan, Christian, the primary character, tells his companion the story of another allegorical character by the name of Little Faith. 00:00:24.660 --> 00:00:39.060 Little Faith, on his journey to the celestial city, falls asleep for a time and upon waking is assaulted by three rogues who are called faint heart, guilt, and mistrust. 00:00:40.900 --> 00:00:45.840 Allegorically, these all exist within this character, Little Faith. 00:00:46.460 --> 00:00:53.500 They rob him and they leave him barely enough to finish his journey. 00:00:54.659 --> 00:01:00.259 In Mark chapter 9, the father of a boy with an unclean spirit comes to Jesus and says, 00:01:00.879 --> 00:01:04.979 If you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us. 00:01:06.019 --> 00:01:07.359 And Jesus replies to him, 00:01:08.200 --> 00:01:11.299 If you can, all things are possible. 00:01:12.140 --> 00:01:17.120 For one who believes, immediately the father of the child cried out and said, 00:01:17.239 --> 00:01:20.599 I believe, help my unbelief. 00:01:21.199 --> 00:01:22.620 Mark chapter 9. 00:01:22.620 --> 00:01:27.760 Jesus subsequently heals the boy. 00:01:29.079 --> 00:01:32.640 Little Faith's faith was small. 00:01:33.920 --> 00:01:41.200 He was troubled by a lack of courage and trust, yet he reached the celestial city and was welcomed there. 00:01:42.340 --> 00:01:50.240 The boy's father expressed a mixture of belief and doubt, yet the Lord of healing healed his boy. 00:01:50.239 --> 00:01:52.239 Faltering faith. 00:01:52.239 --> 00:01:52.799 Faltering faith. 00:01:52.939 --> 00:01:57.280 Small faith, but sufficient faith. 00:01:58.379 --> 00:02:01.739 Do you ever identify with these characters? 00:02:02.699 --> 00:02:06.840 Feel like you are just barely hanging on? 00:02:07.699 --> 00:02:09.680 I do at times. 00:02:09.680 --> 00:02:17.680 In fact, you may notice in your bulletin that it says Judges chapters 13 through 16, which was the story of Samson. 00:02:18.420 --> 00:02:27.140 And I decided in this week I would rather study and consider the story we're going to see in Judges chapter 4 for my own sake. 00:02:27.139 --> 00:02:34.599 And so, in today's text, there's another character, little faith kind of character. 00:02:34.599 --> 00:02:42.919 And I hope that our consideration of him, as it served my soul, will also be of great encouragement to your soul today. 00:02:43.879 --> 00:02:50.900 So, Judges chapter 4, before I lead us in reading it, beloved, this is God's word to us, written for his glory and our good. 00:02:51.699 --> 00:02:58.359 And so, we would all do well to listen to it in order to believe its promises and to obey its commands. 00:02:58.360 --> 00:03:02.180 Judges chapter 4, beginning in verse 1. 00:03:03.560 --> 00:03:09.480 And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord after Ehud died. 00:03:10.240 --> 00:03:15.980 And the Lord sold them into the hand of Jabin, king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. 00:03:16.660 --> 00:03:21.620 The commander of his army was Sisera, who lived in Heresheth Hagoyim. 00:03:21.620 --> 00:03:31.379 Then the people of Israel cried out to the Lord for help, for he had 900 chariots of iron, and he oppressed the people of Israel cruelly for 20 years. 00:03:32.439 --> 00:03:37.879 Now, Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, was judging Israel at that time. 00:03:38.759 --> 00:03:44.200 She used to sit under the palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, 00:03:44.360 --> 00:03:47.659 and the people of Israel came up to her for judgment. 00:03:47.659 --> 00:03:55.579 She sent and summoned Barak, the son of Abinoam, from Kadesh Naphtali, and said to him, 00:03:56.120 --> 00:03:58.919 Has not the Lord, the God of Israel, commanded you, 00:03:59.479 --> 00:04:06.599 Go gather your men at Mount Tabor, taking 10,000 from the people of Naphtali and the people of Zebulun? 00:04:07.139 --> 00:04:12.740 And I will draw out Sisera, the general of Jabin's army, to meet you by the river Kishon, 00:04:12.740 --> 00:04:17.120 with his chariots and his troops, and I will give him into your hand. 00:04:18.380 --> 00:04:24.920 Barak said to her, If you go with me, I will go, but if you will not go with me, I will not go. 00:04:25.880 --> 00:04:28.900 And she said, I will surely go with you. 00:04:29.620 --> 00:04:33.000 Nevertheless, the road on which you are going will not lead to your glory, 00:04:33.440 --> 00:04:36.680 for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. 00:04:36.680 --> 00:04:40.840 Then Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kadesh. 00:04:40.980 --> 00:04:41.699 Excuse me, Barak. 00:04:42.040 --> 00:04:43.879 I'm trying to say it differently than the president's name. 00:04:44.120 --> 00:04:44.420 Barak. 00:04:45.600 --> 00:04:48.800 And Barak called out Zebulun and Naphtali to Kadesh, 00:04:48.800 --> 00:04:53.379 and 10,000 men went up at his heels, and Deborah went up with him. 00:04:54.579 --> 00:05:01.639 Now Heber, the Kenite, had separated from the Kenites the descendants of Hobab, the father-in-law of Moses, 00:05:01.639 --> 00:05:08.259 and had pitched his tent as far away as the oak in Za'ananim, which is near Kadesh. 00:05:09.300 --> 00:05:14.219 When Sisera was told that Barak, the son of Abinoam, had gone up from Mount Tabor, 00:05:14.220 --> 00:05:20.440 Sisera called out all his chariots, 900 chariots of iron, and all the men who were with him, 00:05:20.760 --> 00:05:23.660 from Heresheth, Hogoyim, to the river Kishon. 00:05:24.300 --> 00:05:26.000 And Deborah said to Barak, 00:05:26.680 --> 00:05:33.100 For this is the day in which the Lord has given Sisera into your hands. 00:05:33.560 --> 00:05:35.640 Does not the Lord go out before you? 00:05:36.340 --> 00:05:40.460 So Barak went down from Mount Tabor with 10,000 men following him. 00:05:40.459 --> 00:05:48.259 And the Lord routed Sisera and all his chariots and all his army before Barak by the edge of the sword. 00:05:48.919 --> 00:05:52.419 And Sisera got down from his chariot and fled away on foot. 00:05:53.099 --> 00:05:56.799 And Barak pursued the chariots and the army to Heresheth, Hogoyim, 00:05:57.000 --> 00:05:59.939 and all the army of Sisera fell by the edge of the sword. 00:06:00.379 --> 00:06:01.839 Not a man was left. 00:06:02.560 --> 00:06:07.500 But Sisera fled away on foot to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, 00:06:07.500 --> 00:06:12.519 for there was peace between Jabin the king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite. 00:06:13.620 --> 00:06:16.319 And Jael came out to meet Sisera and said to him, 00:06:16.639 --> 00:06:19.920 Turn aside, my lord, turn aside to me, do not be afraid. 00:06:20.680 --> 00:06:24.560 So he turned aside to her into the tent, and she covered him with a rug. 00:06:25.620 --> 00:06:26.459 And he said to her, 00:06:26.819 --> 00:06:29.300 Please give me a little water to drink, for I am thirsty. 00:06:30.000 --> 00:06:33.939 So she opened a skin of milk and gave him a drink and covered him. 00:06:33.939 --> 00:06:37.379 And he said to her, Stand at the opening of the tent, 00:06:37.480 --> 00:06:41.740 and if any man comes and asks you, is anyone here, say no. 00:06:42.819 --> 00:06:47.339 But Jael, the wife of Heber, took a tent peg and took a hammer in her hand. 00:06:47.740 --> 00:06:51.159 Then she went softly to him and drove the peg into his temple 00:06:51.159 --> 00:06:55.920 until it went down to the ground while he was lying fast asleep from weariness. 00:06:56.639 --> 00:06:57.139 So cool. 00:06:57.560 --> 00:06:59.399 So he died. 00:06:59.399 --> 00:07:02.879 And behold, as Barak was pursuing Sisera, 00:07:03.379 --> 00:07:05.419 Jael went out to meet him and said to him, 00:07:05.759 --> 00:07:07.859 Come and I will show you the man whom you are seeking. 00:07:08.519 --> 00:07:13.039 So he went into her tent, and there lay Sisera dead with a tent peg in his temple. 00:07:14.199 --> 00:07:18.579 So on that day God subdued Jabin the king of Canaan before the people of Israel. 00:07:19.019 --> 00:07:23.979 And the hand of the people of Israel pressed harder and harder against Jabin the king of Canaan 00:07:23.979 --> 00:07:27.759 until they destroyed Jabin king of Canaan. 00:07:27.759 --> 00:07:32.920 Now I shared with you last week as we overviewed the book of Judges 00:07:32.920 --> 00:07:36.060 that a pattern is presented in the text, 00:07:36.120 --> 00:07:39.500 which is seen in today's chapter very clearly. 00:07:40.779 --> 00:07:42.819 Number one, the people rebel. 00:07:43.240 --> 00:07:45.519 There's the death of one of the judges, 00:07:46.039 --> 00:07:47.019 and some time passes, 00:07:47.399 --> 00:07:48.240 and the people rebel. 00:07:48.360 --> 00:07:49.539 We see this in verse one. 00:07:49.540 --> 00:07:57.460 And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord after Ehud died. 00:07:57.700 --> 00:08:00.260 So that's the first step in the pattern that we see. 00:08:00.640 --> 00:08:05.220 Secondly, we see that God hands them over to the people of the land. 00:08:05.600 --> 00:08:10.100 In this case, it's into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, 00:08:10.320 --> 00:08:12.820 who reigned in Hazor. 00:08:12.819 --> 00:08:16.399 So there's this regional thing going on in the land at this time. 00:08:16.459 --> 00:08:21.259 So it's likely this area that's under the command of Jabin the king. 00:08:21.620 --> 00:08:25.759 And we see that he has a commander, a general by the name of Sisera, 00:08:25.939 --> 00:08:27.279 and a mighty army. 00:08:27.360 --> 00:08:30.980 And that's what's being communicated to us in verse three. 00:08:31.100 --> 00:08:33.019 And the reason that people cry out for help 00:08:33.019 --> 00:08:38.740 is there's this insurmountable army of 900 chariots of iron. 00:08:39.059 --> 00:08:42.220 It was like the tanks of their day. 00:08:42.220 --> 00:08:49.080 And we see that Jabin oppresses the people of Israel cruelly for a time of 20 years. 00:08:49.180 --> 00:08:50.779 So that's the second step. 00:08:50.920 --> 00:08:54.800 God in judgment hands them over to the people of the land. 00:08:55.320 --> 00:09:01.180 Thirdly, we see that God shows them mercy by raising up a judge. 00:09:01.379 --> 00:09:10.160 And in this case, most commentators agree two judges in the form of Deborah and Barak. 00:09:10.159 --> 00:09:13.860 So you'll see them often in lists, Deborah slash Barak, 00:09:13.939 --> 00:09:16.919 that they together were judging at this time 00:09:16.919 --> 00:09:20.379 and delivering Israel from their oppressors. 00:09:20.939 --> 00:09:24.240 Now in Hebrew, the name Deborah means to pronounce. 00:09:25.019 --> 00:09:29.819 And we will see why that's such a fitting name for her in just a moment. 00:09:29.820 --> 00:09:34.600 At this point, we're not going to focus most of our attention on Deborah today, 00:09:34.720 --> 00:09:36.760 but rather on Barak. 00:09:36.860 --> 00:09:39.680 But I want to address the egalitarian argument 00:09:39.680 --> 00:09:42.800 that Deborah serving as a judge in the book of Judges 00:09:42.800 --> 00:09:46.720 justifies women serving in the office of pastor. 00:09:46.720 --> 00:09:52.779 We believe that the office of pastor or elder, same word, congruous, 00:09:53.040 --> 00:09:59.080 is reserved for qualified men. 00:09:59.940 --> 00:10:02.480 And both of these stipulations are important. 00:10:03.399 --> 00:10:10.320 Men, but not just men, but qualified men, are to hold the office. 00:10:10.320 --> 00:10:14.160 And today is not for a sermon on that in particular, 00:10:14.460 --> 00:10:18.600 but this is what we believe the office is meant to who it is meant to be held by. 00:10:19.720 --> 00:10:24.440 Deborah is undoubtedly used of God in this instance in Israel's history. 00:10:25.500 --> 00:10:32.340 Women generally have been and are most certainly used by God in the life of His church. 00:10:33.100 --> 00:10:37.080 We have every reason to be incredibly thankful for the beautiful ways 00:10:37.080 --> 00:10:41.400 that the women of our church are vital to the function of our church. 00:10:42.259 --> 00:10:45.780 Very important to be sure. 00:10:45.920 --> 00:10:49.660 Ladies, we are extremely grateful for you. 00:10:50.800 --> 00:10:54.900 But it is reckless hermeneutics that want to draw parallels 00:10:54.900 --> 00:11:00.360 between the office that Deborah holds here and the church office of pastor. 00:11:00.540 --> 00:11:03.259 So I just want to take that off the table for us. 00:11:03.259 --> 00:11:09.819 Deborah, in this episode, is the person of greater faith. 00:11:10.039 --> 00:11:14.139 She is more to be emulated in this chapter. 00:11:15.159 --> 00:11:19.360 We're going to focus, as I said, much of our attention on Barak today, 00:11:19.360 --> 00:11:26.580 but not for his superior faith, but rather his weakness of faith. 00:11:28.240 --> 00:11:31.879 Of interest and perhaps in clever juxtaposition, 00:11:31.879 --> 00:11:36.340 the Hebrew name Barak means lightning. 00:11:37.519 --> 00:11:41.539 So this general of Israel's army, General Lightning, 00:11:42.539 --> 00:11:48.659 will need the prompting of Deborah to carry out God's purpose for him. 00:11:48.759 --> 00:11:53.220 I think that's meant to be striking, especially to readers of Hebrew, 00:11:53.220 --> 00:11:56.379 that this guy, General Lightning, 00:11:57.220 --> 00:12:02.680 Deborah has to approach and remind him of what God had said to him. 00:12:03.820 --> 00:12:04.759 So that was the third step. 00:12:04.879 --> 00:12:08.399 God shows mercy to his people by raising up a judge. 00:12:09.560 --> 00:12:12.899 Fourthly, the judge, by God's help, delivers the Israelites, 00:12:13.340 --> 00:12:16.600 and they have rest. 00:12:16.600 --> 00:12:19.460 And so we see that in verse 23 and 24. 00:12:19.659 --> 00:12:26.200 On that day, God subdued Jabin, the king of Canaan, before the people of Israel. 00:12:26.259 --> 00:12:30.700 Earlier in the chapter, we see that the people are routed, 00:12:31.240 --> 00:12:36.560 and I wish we had more storyline there to understand how it is that those people were conquered. 00:12:36.899 --> 00:12:40.639 But I think the point where our fixation is supposed to be is that God accomplished it. 00:12:40.639 --> 00:12:45.039 The details of exactly how they fought that battle are not terribly important. 00:12:45.139 --> 00:12:48.659 What is important is that God did that work, 00:12:48.720 --> 00:12:55.319 these 10,000 men against this mighty army with these 900 chariots of metal. 00:12:55.759 --> 00:12:59.960 So on that day, God subdued Jabin, the king of Canaan, before the people of Israel. 00:13:00.340 --> 00:13:05.019 And the hand of the people of Israel pressed harder and harder against Jabin, the king of Canaan, 00:13:05.580 --> 00:13:08.639 until they destroyed Jabin, king of Canaan. 00:13:08.639 --> 00:13:14.819 And then, at the end of chapter 5, which records a song sung by Deborah and Barak, 00:13:14.919 --> 00:13:15.600 we read, 00:13:16.019 --> 00:13:19.720 And the land had rest for 40 years. 00:13:19.879 --> 00:13:21.319 So we see that cycle once again. 00:13:21.460 --> 00:13:23.799 The judge, by God's help, delivers the Israelites, 00:13:24.419 --> 00:13:26.080 and they have rest. 00:13:27.500 --> 00:13:30.639 But then, the last step, the judge dies, 00:13:31.340 --> 00:13:36.059 and the people return to their wickedness. 00:13:36.059 --> 00:13:39.399 Remember, I read to you in verse 1, right? 00:13:39.439 --> 00:13:43.759 It was Israel again being wicked because Ehud had died. 00:13:43.859 --> 00:13:46.779 And then we see in Judges chapter 6 and verse 1, 00:13:46.859 --> 00:13:51.519 The people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. 00:13:51.559 --> 00:13:54.019 And the Lord then gives them into the hand of Midian, 00:13:54.139 --> 00:13:57.299 and the cycle goes round and round. 00:13:57.299 --> 00:14:05.759 So there is this framework re-presented to you and seen clearly in chapter 4. 00:14:07.159 --> 00:14:10.779 I also want you to remember the repeated stanza toward the end of the book. 00:14:10.899 --> 00:14:14.639 In those days, there was no king in Israel. 00:14:14.879 --> 00:14:18.459 Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. 00:14:18.539 --> 00:14:22.299 You see this in places like Judges 21 and verse 25. 00:14:22.299 --> 00:14:26.879 Israel needed a king. 00:14:27.859 --> 00:14:34.299 This reality is temporally fulfilled in the ascension and reign of King David. 00:14:35.379 --> 00:14:37.959 We talked about this a little bit last week. 00:14:39.019 --> 00:14:42.099 Saul was given to them as the king that they deserved, 00:14:42.319 --> 00:14:45.099 and he did not serve them well. 00:14:45.219 --> 00:14:47.039 They were meant to wait on the Lord 00:14:47.039 --> 00:14:49.860 and have the king that he intended for them to have, 00:14:49.939 --> 00:14:54.259 which we see temporal fulfillment in King David. 00:14:54.360 --> 00:14:55.500 But ultimately, 00:14:56.319 --> 00:15:03.980 we see this fulfillment in the ascension and present reign of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:15:04.139 --> 00:15:06.240 David was always meant to show God's people 00:15:06.240 --> 00:15:08.339 a greater king that would come 00:15:08.339 --> 00:15:12.179 and have an imperishing reign. 00:15:12.179 --> 00:15:17.919 The totality of the Old Testament speaks of promises made. 00:15:18.459 --> 00:15:23.539 The totality of the New Testament speaks of promises kept. 00:15:24.539 --> 00:15:25.959 Let's not forget this morning, 00:15:26.059 --> 00:15:29.079 as we look at this story with minds toward Barak, 00:15:29.419 --> 00:15:33.979 that this book speaks loudly to us of Christ. 00:15:34.539 --> 00:15:39.099 The failings of the people are meant to show us 00:15:39.100 --> 00:15:43.379 we need a savior and a king who will reign forever. 00:15:44.920 --> 00:15:46.200 At the beginning of this chapter, 00:15:46.460 --> 00:15:49.659 after the introduction of the oppression that Israel is experiencing, 00:15:50.320 --> 00:15:51.639 we are introduced to Deborah, 00:15:51.720 --> 00:15:55.200 who is working at the task that we more readily associate 00:15:55.200 --> 00:15:57.740 with the title of judge. 00:15:58.000 --> 00:16:01.820 We see most of the judges are just coming in there slaying the enemy, 00:16:01.820 --> 00:16:03.460 but here we see her, 00:16:04.379 --> 00:16:05.220 this prophetess, 00:16:05.320 --> 00:16:06.820 this wife of Lapidoth. 00:16:06.820 --> 00:16:07.580 Lapidoth, 00:16:07.700 --> 00:16:10.260 the Hebrew actually means of Lapidoth, 00:16:10.360 --> 00:16:12.000 so maybe a city, 00:16:12.360 --> 00:16:16.020 but here it's translated the wife of Lapidoth, 00:16:16.440 --> 00:16:18.620 was judging Israel at that time. 00:16:18.720 --> 00:16:21.740 And we get some clarification on that in verse 5 00:16:21.740 --> 00:16:24.840 as she sits under a palm that's named after her, 00:16:25.240 --> 00:16:26.240 her palm tree, 00:16:26.340 --> 00:16:27.520 the palm of Deborah, 00:16:27.960 --> 00:16:29.660 between Ramah and Bethel 00:16:29.660 --> 00:16:31.760 in the hill country of Ephraim. 00:16:32.240 --> 00:16:35.860 And the people of Israel came up to her for judgment. 00:16:35.860 --> 00:16:37.740 They were coming to her and bringing her questions. 00:16:37.860 --> 00:16:41.000 Help us to settle this matter between us, 00:16:41.039 --> 00:16:43.000 and this is what she is doing. 00:16:44.019 --> 00:16:45.639 I mentioned a moment ago that in Hebrew, 00:16:45.779 --> 00:16:48.100 the name Deborah means to pronounce. 00:16:49.580 --> 00:16:50.019 Additionally, 00:16:50.120 --> 00:16:52.399 we see her called a prophetess. 00:16:53.039 --> 00:16:55.419 And I think the significance of the name 00:16:55.419 --> 00:16:57.639 and the role are made evident to us 00:16:57.639 --> 00:17:00.340 in the next two verses. 00:17:01.019 --> 00:17:03.240 Notice what she does at the beginning of verse 6. 00:17:03.240 --> 00:17:05.920 She sent and summoned Barak, 00:17:06.480 --> 00:17:08.900 the son of Abinoam from Kadesh Naphtali. 00:17:09.299 --> 00:17:12.960 She brings him to her and says to him, 00:17:13.740 --> 00:17:15.160 Has not the Lord, 00:17:15.640 --> 00:17:16.620 the God of Israel, 00:17:16.839 --> 00:17:17.759 commanded you, 00:17:18.420 --> 00:17:20.140 go gather your men at Mount Tabor, 00:17:20.319 --> 00:17:22.539 taking 10,000 from the people of Naphtali 00:17:22.539 --> 00:17:23.779 and the people of Zebulun, 00:17:24.319 --> 00:17:25.980 and I will draw out Sisera, 00:17:26.319 --> 00:17:27.640 the general of Jabin's army, 00:17:27.740 --> 00:17:29.319 to meet you by the river Kashan 00:17:29.319 --> 00:17:30.939 with his chariots and his troops, 00:17:30.939 --> 00:17:34.700 and I will give him into your hand. 00:17:35.859 --> 00:17:37.879 Deborah brings Barak before her 00:17:37.879 --> 00:17:41.980 and does not tell him something new. 00:17:42.659 --> 00:17:44.419 She's not received a word from the Lord 00:17:44.419 --> 00:17:47.259 that she's now passing along to him. 00:17:47.679 --> 00:17:49.500 She's asking him a question. 00:17:50.200 --> 00:17:51.539 Didn't God say, 00:17:52.539 --> 00:17:53.579 Do such and such, 00:17:53.679 --> 00:17:55.579 and I will accomplish? 00:17:55.579 --> 00:17:58.619 Hasn't God commanded you to do something, 00:17:59.079 --> 00:18:01.579 promised your success in the carrying out of the task, 00:18:01.759 --> 00:18:04.819 and yet you have not done it? 00:18:04.939 --> 00:18:09.579 That's the implied question that hangs there at the end. 00:18:11.000 --> 00:18:11.399 Barak, 00:18:12.240 --> 00:18:13.099 General Lightning, 00:18:14.059 --> 00:18:17.619 has failed to believe God's word. 00:18:18.480 --> 00:18:21.159 God himself has spoken this word to him, 00:18:21.980 --> 00:18:23.119 and nothing has happened. 00:18:23.119 --> 00:18:25.739 And this is why Deborah summons him 00:18:25.739 --> 00:18:27.839 and asks him this question. 00:18:29.199 --> 00:18:31.379 We have no indication of how much time has passed 00:18:31.379 --> 00:18:33.039 between God speaking to Barak 00:18:33.039 --> 00:18:35.399 and Deborah speaking to Barak. 00:18:35.959 --> 00:18:37.639 But it has been enough time 00:18:37.639 --> 00:18:39.559 that God is using Deborah 00:18:39.559 --> 00:18:42.619 to prompt Barak to action. 00:18:44.259 --> 00:18:48.659 Why has Barak failed to believe God's word? 00:18:48.660 --> 00:18:53.980 I suggest to you that he is being driven by fear. 00:18:54.480 --> 00:18:57.259 He's observing the state of the enemy. 00:18:57.800 --> 00:18:58.340 He is saying, 00:18:58.720 --> 00:19:00.460 How could it be possible 00:19:00.460 --> 00:19:02.340 that God would do this thing for us? 00:19:02.460 --> 00:19:03.220 Because look, 00:19:03.759 --> 00:19:08.140 they have 900 chariots of iron. 00:19:08.680 --> 00:19:11.440 There's this cruel oppression going on 00:19:11.440 --> 00:19:13.540 we see in verse 3. 00:19:13.539 --> 00:19:16.159 And Barak doesn't believe 00:19:16.159 --> 00:19:17.519 that God will, 00:19:17.759 --> 00:19:19.139 in spite of that, 00:19:19.920 --> 00:19:22.039 deliver his people. 00:19:24.039 --> 00:19:25.079 At this point, 00:19:25.139 --> 00:19:26.720 we want to think Barak 00:19:26.720 --> 00:19:28.319 so ridiculous. 00:19:29.460 --> 00:19:30.920 God has made a promise. 00:19:31.659 --> 00:19:33.139 Why are you afraid, Barak? 00:19:34.420 --> 00:19:36.279 I want to wag my head at him 00:19:36.279 --> 00:19:38.819 for the shame of his weak faith. 00:19:38.819 --> 00:19:40.819 But you and I, 00:19:41.659 --> 00:19:43.980 we are just like Barak. 00:19:45.240 --> 00:19:48.079 I really desire to identify more readily 00:19:48.079 --> 00:19:49.599 with Deborah or with JL. 00:19:50.319 --> 00:19:51.460 But in this story, 00:19:51.579 --> 00:19:52.480 in this chapter, 00:19:52.779 --> 00:19:55.720 I am most like Barak. 00:19:56.299 --> 00:19:59.679 You are most like Barak. 00:20:00.639 --> 00:20:04.159 We have a record of promises made 00:20:04.159 --> 00:20:06.000 and promises kept. 00:20:06.000 --> 00:20:09.539 We have clear commandments given to us 00:20:09.539 --> 00:20:13.519 and yet we fail to believe God's Word. 00:20:14.539 --> 00:20:16.019 We are prompted by others. 00:20:16.740 --> 00:20:17.940 The reading of the Bible 00:20:17.940 --> 00:20:20.200 or a good book explaining the Bible. 00:20:20.859 --> 00:20:23.240 The counsel of a dear, wise friend. 00:20:23.420 --> 00:20:24.920 The hearing of a sermon. 00:20:26.980 --> 00:20:30.640 Barak's faith was small. 00:20:31.980 --> 00:20:33.319 He expressed this further 00:20:33.319 --> 00:20:35.619 in his response to Deborah. 00:20:37.000 --> 00:20:38.180 Barak said to her, 00:20:38.779 --> 00:20:41.140 this is a striking verse, 00:20:42.240 --> 00:20:43.519 if you will go with me, 00:20:43.599 --> 00:20:44.180 I will go. 00:20:45.160 --> 00:20:46.819 But if you will not go with me, 00:20:47.740 --> 00:20:49.599 I will not go. 00:20:50.859 --> 00:20:52.619 So just on the very surface, right, 00:20:52.859 --> 00:20:54.259 Barak has been given a commission, 00:20:54.380 --> 00:20:55.480 a charge by God, 00:20:55.640 --> 00:20:57.819 and a guarantee of success. 00:20:57.960 --> 00:21:00.579 There's no doubt about God's Word there. 00:21:00.660 --> 00:21:03.039 He will accomplish this task. 00:21:03.039 --> 00:21:05.559 I will give him into your hand, 00:21:05.819 --> 00:21:09.480 is what God says there in verse 7. 00:21:10.839 --> 00:21:12.559 And the response in verse 8 00:21:12.559 --> 00:21:14.599 is if you will go with me, Deborah, 00:21:14.720 --> 00:21:15.359 I will go. 00:21:15.480 --> 00:21:16.899 But if you will not go with me, 00:21:17.579 --> 00:21:18.879 I will not go. 00:21:19.639 --> 00:21:23.799 It's an astounding little faith response. 00:21:23.799 --> 00:21:26.659 But it's even more so that 00:21:26.659 --> 00:21:29.079 if this phrase draws your mind 00:21:29.079 --> 00:21:30.000 to another time 00:21:30.000 --> 00:21:32.859 that a similar thing was said. 00:21:33.819 --> 00:21:35.680 Back in Exodus chapter 33 00:21:35.680 --> 00:21:36.799 in verse 15, 00:21:37.579 --> 00:21:39.799 this is after the golden calf incident, 00:21:40.680 --> 00:21:42.259 and there's some interaction 00:21:42.259 --> 00:21:43.619 between Moses and God 00:21:43.619 --> 00:21:46.639 and some reissuing of promise. 00:21:46.640 --> 00:21:48.880 And then Moses says to God 00:21:48.880 --> 00:21:49.680 in verse 15, 00:21:49.820 --> 00:21:51.780 if your presence will not go with me, 00:21:52.220 --> 00:21:54.900 do not bring us up from here. 00:21:56.140 --> 00:21:57.420 Moses' request there 00:21:57.420 --> 00:22:00.180 is a good and legitimate one. 00:22:00.940 --> 00:22:03.860 It has as the proper object of faith 00:22:03.860 --> 00:22:05.840 God Himself. 00:22:07.280 --> 00:22:09.800 And I think this record of Barak's response 00:22:09.800 --> 00:22:12.460 is meant to draw out that juxtaposition. 00:22:13.960 --> 00:22:15.600 Little things are supposed to fire off 00:22:15.599 --> 00:22:16.399 in our brain and go, 00:22:16.559 --> 00:22:17.259 whoa, whoa, whoa. 00:22:17.459 --> 00:22:19.839 This is not an act of faith at all. 00:22:21.299 --> 00:22:24.599 In whom is Barak trusting? 00:22:25.719 --> 00:22:28.059 He seems to be placing his faith in Deborah 00:22:28.059 --> 00:22:30.019 rather than the God 00:22:30.019 --> 00:22:31.219 who issued the command 00:22:31.219 --> 00:22:33.039 and who made the promise. 00:22:34.139 --> 00:22:36.740 His request is even more shameful 00:22:36.740 --> 00:22:40.379 when you consider that Deborah is a woman. 00:22:41.500 --> 00:22:42.379 If you were to read 00:22:42.379 --> 00:22:43.619 the biblical narrative through, 00:22:43.819 --> 00:22:45.579 you would remember in Joshua chapter 1, 00:22:45.599 --> 00:22:46.719 and verse 14, 00:22:46.819 --> 00:22:48.299 the following command. 00:22:49.759 --> 00:22:50.480 Your wives, 00:22:50.959 --> 00:22:51.980 your little ones, 00:22:52.019 --> 00:22:52.799 and your livestock 00:22:52.799 --> 00:22:54.279 shall remain in the land 00:22:54.279 --> 00:22:55.299 that Moses gave you 00:22:55.299 --> 00:22:56.240 beyond the Jordan. 00:22:56.959 --> 00:22:58.639 But all the men of valor among you 00:22:58.639 --> 00:22:59.439 shall pass over 00:22:59.439 --> 00:23:00.899 armed before your brothers 00:23:00.899 --> 00:23:02.980 and shall help them. 00:23:03.980 --> 00:23:04.980 It's an aside, 00:23:05.219 --> 00:23:06.579 but it's the shame of a nation 00:23:06.579 --> 00:23:07.839 when it sends its women 00:23:07.839 --> 00:23:10.139 to fight its wars. 00:23:10.959 --> 00:23:12.639 If you're reading this narrative through, 00:23:12.640 --> 00:23:13.040 right, 00:23:13.120 --> 00:23:15.420 if you're seeing this very command given, 00:23:15.820 --> 00:23:17.640 the men were meant to go 00:23:17.640 --> 00:23:19.180 and conquer the land 00:23:19.180 --> 00:23:21.440 back in Joshua 1 and verse 14. 00:23:21.440 --> 00:23:23.420 They failed to do that task, 00:23:23.560 --> 00:23:24.700 and now we see 00:23:24.700 --> 00:23:27.120 this general, 00:23:27.700 --> 00:23:28.100 Barak, 00:23:28.300 --> 00:23:29.500 general lightning, 00:23:30.340 --> 00:23:31.440 requesting that Deborah 00:23:31.440 --> 00:23:32.940 go with him 00:23:32.940 --> 00:23:33.860 to the war. 00:23:33.859 --> 00:23:36.639 And astute readers 00:23:36.639 --> 00:23:37.919 should see both Barak's 00:23:37.919 --> 00:23:38.859 lack of faith 00:23:38.859 --> 00:23:41.119 and his subsequent request 00:23:41.119 --> 00:23:44.119 as so shameful. 00:23:44.559 --> 00:23:45.059 But beloved, 00:23:45.199 --> 00:23:47.679 we do the very same thing. 00:23:48.439 --> 00:23:50.479 We fail to believe God's word, 00:23:50.740 --> 00:23:53.019 and we look to alternative means 00:23:53.019 --> 00:23:55.859 to see his promises fulfilled, 00:23:55.939 --> 00:23:58.079 rather than just trusting 00:23:58.079 --> 00:23:59.399 that our God, 00:24:00.019 --> 00:24:00.759 who has spoken, 00:24:01.319 --> 00:24:02.740 will do exactly 00:24:02.740 --> 00:24:04.159 what he said 00:24:04.159 --> 00:24:05.439 he will do. 00:24:07.279 --> 00:24:07.799 Now, 00:24:08.759 --> 00:24:09.899 in spite of all that, 00:24:09.960 --> 00:24:11.619 in spite of that small faith 00:24:11.619 --> 00:24:12.199 of Barak, 00:24:12.839 --> 00:24:14.019 he goes up. 00:24:14.439 --> 00:24:15.019 He goes. 00:24:15.859 --> 00:24:17.519 And God is faithful 00:24:17.519 --> 00:24:19.500 to his word. 00:24:19.599 --> 00:24:20.720 We see in verse 15, 00:24:20.720 --> 00:24:22.899 And the Lord routed Sisera 00:24:22.899 --> 00:24:24.599 and all his chariots 00:24:24.599 --> 00:24:25.659 and all his army 00:24:25.659 --> 00:24:26.539 before Barak 00:24:26.539 --> 00:24:27.799 by the edge 00:24:27.799 --> 00:24:29.019 of the sword. 00:24:29.399 --> 00:24:30.259 So they fight. 00:24:30.480 --> 00:24:31.680 We see the evidence of that, 00:24:31.759 --> 00:24:31.879 right? 00:24:31.920 --> 00:24:32.740 The sword itself 00:24:32.740 --> 00:24:33.879 is taking place, 00:24:34.059 --> 00:24:35.539 but the emphasis is placed 00:24:35.539 --> 00:24:37.379 on the Lord 00:24:37.379 --> 00:24:39.440 doing this work. 00:24:39.859 --> 00:24:40.579 How is it possible 00:24:40.579 --> 00:24:41.359 if they defeated him? 00:24:41.480 --> 00:24:42.119 I don't know. 00:24:42.319 --> 00:24:42.700 Again, 00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:43.720 I wish we had the details, 00:24:43.839 --> 00:24:44.720 but we're meant to see 00:24:44.720 --> 00:24:46.000 that it's God himself 00:24:46.000 --> 00:24:48.460 who accomplished it. 00:24:48.460 --> 00:24:49.899 God uses Barak's 00:24:49.899 --> 00:24:50.740 small, 00:24:51.000 --> 00:24:52.960 but sufficient faith 00:24:52.960 --> 00:24:54.839 and accomplishes his purpose 00:24:54.839 --> 00:24:55.500 on behalf 00:24:55.500 --> 00:24:57.160 of his people. 00:24:58.440 --> 00:24:59.079 However, 00:24:59.299 --> 00:25:01.180 this is not without 00:25:01.180 --> 00:25:02.920 its temporal judgment 00:25:02.920 --> 00:25:04.619 on Barak. 00:25:05.759 --> 00:25:06.240 Remember, 00:25:06.539 --> 00:25:07.559 back in verse 9, 00:25:07.759 --> 00:25:08.519 Deborah says, 00:25:09.380 --> 00:25:10.180 I will go with you, 00:25:10.299 --> 00:25:10.619 nevertheless. 00:25:11.799 --> 00:25:12.819 The road on which 00:25:12.819 --> 00:25:13.500 you are going 00:25:13.500 --> 00:25:14.660 will not lead 00:25:14.660 --> 00:25:16.059 to your glory. 00:25:16.220 --> 00:25:18.339 This small faithness 00:25:18.339 --> 00:25:19.779 for the Lord 00:25:19.779 --> 00:25:20.480 will sell Sisera 00:25:20.480 --> 00:25:21.440 into the hand 00:25:21.440 --> 00:25:23.240 of a woman. 00:25:24.180 --> 00:25:25.380 And we see that 00:25:25.380 --> 00:25:26.120 to be the case 00:25:26.120 --> 00:25:27.059 in just a few 00:25:27.059 --> 00:25:28.420 short verses. 00:25:29.860 --> 00:25:30.740 Barak is denied 00:25:30.740 --> 00:25:31.299 the praise 00:25:31.299 --> 00:25:32.180 of defeating Sisera 00:25:32.180 --> 00:25:32.559 because, 00:25:33.279 --> 00:25:34.059 as we read, 00:25:34.140 --> 00:25:34.960 it is J.L. 00:25:34.960 --> 00:25:35.700 who deals 00:25:35.700 --> 00:25:37.880 the final blow. 00:25:38.880 --> 00:25:40.440 It's an incredible account 00:25:40.440 --> 00:25:41.120 and it's just one 00:25:41.120 --> 00:25:42.180 of my favorites. 00:25:42.519 --> 00:25:43.900 The Bible is full 00:25:43.900 --> 00:25:44.660 of stories 00:25:44.660 --> 00:25:45.900 that eclipse 00:25:45.900 --> 00:25:46.480 the fiction 00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:48.160 of our days. 00:25:48.160 --> 00:25:49.279 We have 00:25:49.279 --> 00:25:50.720 limitless resource 00:25:50.720 --> 00:25:51.640 to make great movies 00:25:51.640 --> 00:25:53.320 from the Scripture. 00:25:54.120 --> 00:25:55.259 But I want to leave off 00:25:55.259 --> 00:25:55.840 this account 00:25:55.840 --> 00:25:56.680 at this point. 00:25:56.759 --> 00:25:58.160 There's much that can be said 00:25:58.160 --> 00:25:58.860 about it. 00:25:59.519 --> 00:26:00.620 But I want to leave it off 00:26:00.620 --> 00:26:01.080 with this 00:26:01.080 --> 00:26:02.000 weak, 00:26:02.580 --> 00:26:03.759 sufficient faith 00:26:03.759 --> 00:26:04.420 of Barak 00:26:04.420 --> 00:26:05.400 in mind 00:26:05.400 --> 00:26:06.060 and take you 00:26:06.060 --> 00:26:06.620 elsewhere 00:26:06.620 --> 00:26:07.820 in the Bible. 00:26:08.279 --> 00:26:09.019 So if you will, 00:26:09.800 --> 00:26:10.480 please join me 00:26:10.480 --> 00:26:12.380 in Hebrews chapter 10. 00:26:32.200 --> 00:26:33.279 I just want to pick up 00:26:33.279 --> 00:26:34.279 the last verse 00:26:34.279 --> 00:26:35.400 of Hebrews chapter 10. 00:26:35.500 --> 00:26:36.400 So verse 39 00:26:36.400 --> 00:26:37.519 and then we're going 00:26:37.519 --> 00:26:38.400 to read a little bit 00:26:38.400 --> 00:26:40.120 into chapter 11. 00:26:40.480 --> 00:26:47.440 The book of Hebrews 00:26:47.440 --> 00:26:48.099 is being written 00:26:48.099 --> 00:26:49.920 to encourage 00:26:49.920 --> 00:26:52.519 those Christians, 00:26:52.720 --> 00:26:54.099 this little church 00:26:54.099 --> 00:26:54.519 we believe 00:26:54.519 --> 00:26:55.220 is meeting out 00:26:55.220 --> 00:26:56.319 on the outskirts 00:26:56.319 --> 00:26:57.079 of Rome, 00:26:58.140 --> 00:26:59.640 largely made up of, 00:26:59.880 --> 00:27:01.140 perhaps not exclusively, 00:27:01.339 --> 00:27:02.599 but largely made up of 00:27:02.599 --> 00:27:03.759 Jewish converts 00:27:03.759 --> 00:27:04.500 to Christ. 00:27:04.980 --> 00:27:06.220 They had suffered much. 00:27:06.299 --> 00:27:06.940 We see the evidence 00:27:06.940 --> 00:27:07.680 of that throughout 00:27:07.680 --> 00:27:08.940 the pages of the book 00:27:08.940 --> 00:27:09.400 of Hebrews. 00:27:09.400 --> 00:27:09.600 Hebrews. 00:27:10.400 --> 00:27:11.140 And it's meant 00:27:11.140 --> 00:27:12.300 to press them on. 00:27:12.420 --> 00:27:13.280 And so in verse 39, 00:27:13.420 --> 00:27:14.040 the author of Hebrews 00:27:14.040 --> 00:27:14.320 says, 00:27:14.800 --> 00:27:15.740 we are not of those 00:27:15.740 --> 00:27:16.960 who shrink back 00:27:16.960 --> 00:27:18.500 and are destroyed, 00:27:18.840 --> 00:27:19.880 but of those who have 00:27:19.880 --> 00:27:20.519 faith 00:27:20.519 --> 00:27:21.580 and preserve 00:27:21.580 --> 00:27:22.519 their souls. 00:27:23.660 --> 00:27:24.280 And then he defines 00:27:24.280 --> 00:27:25.960 faith in chapter 11 00:27:25.960 --> 00:27:26.480 and verse 1. 00:27:26.580 --> 00:27:26.700 Now, 00:27:27.100 --> 00:27:27.560 faith 00:27:27.560 --> 00:27:29.240 is the assurance 00:27:29.240 --> 00:27:30.019 of things 00:27:30.019 --> 00:27:30.019 00:27:30.019 --> 00:27:32.660 and the conviction 00:27:32.660 --> 00:27:33.859 of things 00:27:33.859 --> 00:27:35.579 not seen. 00:27:35.700 --> 00:27:36.759 It's a confidence. 00:27:38.359 --> 00:27:39.980 What we hope 00:27:39.980 --> 00:27:40.680 will come to pass, 00:27:40.740 --> 00:27:41.420 what God has said 00:27:41.420 --> 00:27:42.059 will come to pass, 00:27:42.120 --> 00:27:42.900 will in fact 00:27:42.900 --> 00:27:45.120 come to pass. 00:27:45.640 --> 00:27:46.599 For by it, 00:27:46.660 --> 00:27:47.400 verse 2 says, 00:27:47.480 --> 00:27:48.900 the people of old 00:27:48.900 --> 00:27:51.220 received their commendation 00:27:51.220 --> 00:27:51.900 or you could think 00:27:51.900 --> 00:27:52.640 approval. 00:27:53.460 --> 00:27:54.579 They were accepted 00:27:54.579 --> 00:27:56.839 by that faith 00:27:56.839 --> 00:27:58.000 in the promises 00:27:58.000 --> 00:27:59.920 of God. 00:28:00.920 --> 00:28:01.400 And the author 00:28:01.400 --> 00:28:01.839 of Hebrews 00:28:01.839 --> 00:28:02.819 then runs 00:28:02.819 --> 00:28:03.860 a litany 00:28:03.860 --> 00:28:04.660 of examples 00:28:04.660 --> 00:28:05.600 of faith. 00:28:05.720 --> 00:28:06.079 You may have 00:28:06.079 --> 00:28:07.019 heard this called 00:28:07.019 --> 00:28:08.180 the hall of faith. 00:28:08.259 --> 00:28:08.819 Like you would picture 00:28:08.819 --> 00:28:09.600 walking down it 00:28:09.600 --> 00:28:10.180 and there's pictures 00:28:10.180 --> 00:28:11.500 of these individuals 00:28:11.500 --> 00:28:13.059 hung on the walls 00:28:13.059 --> 00:28:14.880 as you walk down it. 00:28:14.960 --> 00:28:15.160 Again, 00:28:15.259 --> 00:28:16.480 meant to strengthen 00:28:16.480 --> 00:28:17.960 this poor, 00:28:18.099 --> 00:28:18.620 beleaguered 00:28:18.620 --> 00:28:19.660 little church. 00:28:19.920 --> 00:28:21.059 People with a 00:28:21.059 --> 00:28:23.039 small faith. 00:28:23.420 --> 00:28:24.480 They're being encouraged 00:28:24.480 --> 00:28:25.620 throughout this 00:28:25.620 --> 00:28:26.779 chapter. 00:28:26.940 --> 00:28:27.539 And he lists off 00:28:27.539 --> 00:28:28.240 a bunch of 00:28:28.240 --> 00:28:28.980 different people 00:28:28.980 --> 00:28:29.620 but then in 00:28:29.620 --> 00:28:30.519 Hebrews chapter 11 00:28:30.519 --> 00:28:31.460 and verse 32, 00:28:32.259 --> 00:28:33.160 read with me 00:28:33.160 --> 00:28:33.839 what he says, 00:28:34.440 --> 00:28:35.420 and what more 00:28:35.420 --> 00:28:36.599 shall I say? 00:28:37.460 --> 00:28:38.420 For time 00:28:38.420 --> 00:28:39.380 would fail me 00:28:39.380 --> 00:28:40.120 to tell 00:28:40.120 --> 00:28:42.019 of Gideon, 00:28:43.440 --> 00:28:43.940 Barak, 00:28:45.420 --> 00:28:45.960 Samson, 00:28:45.960 --> 00:28:46.559 Jephthah, 00:28:46.860 --> 00:28:47.799 of David and Samuel 00:28:47.799 --> 00:28:49.480 and the prophets. 00:28:50.480 --> 00:28:51.940 The author lists 00:28:51.940 --> 00:28:53.400 four judges 00:28:53.400 --> 00:28:54.360 from the book of Judges. 00:28:54.440 --> 00:28:54.759 He lists 00:28:54.759 --> 00:28:56.180 four of them. 00:28:56.920 --> 00:28:57.680 He could have selected 00:28:57.680 --> 00:28:58.819 any of the judges 00:28:58.819 --> 00:29:00.120 or any other characters 00:29:00.120 --> 00:29:00.700 for that matter. 00:29:00.779 --> 00:29:01.120 There's a bunch of 00:29:01.120 --> 00:29:01.960 characters of faith 00:29:01.960 --> 00:29:03.000 in the scripture. 00:29:03.620 --> 00:29:04.600 But as he's saying, 00:29:04.680 --> 00:29:05.220 I don't have time 00:29:05.220 --> 00:29:06.120 to talk in total 00:29:06.120 --> 00:29:07.700 about these people. 00:29:08.340 --> 00:29:09.680 In all of this, 00:29:10.140 --> 00:29:11.059 this great list 00:29:11.059 --> 00:29:11.799 of faith, 00:29:13.380 --> 00:29:13.779 Barak. 00:29:14.920 --> 00:29:15.840 Not Deborah. 00:29:16.840 --> 00:29:17.559 Not J.L. 00:29:18.180 --> 00:29:19.400 But Barak. 00:29:20.019 --> 00:29:21.059 Of all people 00:29:21.059 --> 00:29:22.980 makes this list. 00:29:24.720 --> 00:29:25.740 And I am convinced 00:29:25.740 --> 00:29:26.340 that his name 00:29:26.340 --> 00:29:27.059 sits there 00:29:27.059 --> 00:29:28.240 in Hebrews 11 00:29:28.240 --> 00:29:30.059 to encourage 00:29:30.059 --> 00:29:32.220 our small 00:29:32.220 --> 00:29:33.799 but sufficient 00:29:33.799 --> 00:29:35.039 faith. 00:29:36.840 --> 00:29:38.460 I need Barak 00:29:38.460 --> 00:29:39.299 to sit in 00:29:39.299 --> 00:29:41.059 Hebrews chapter 11 00:29:41.059 --> 00:29:42.720 and go to this story 00:29:42.720 --> 00:29:43.980 and see this man 00:29:43.980 --> 00:29:45.120 who just seems 00:29:45.120 --> 00:29:46.680 to barely pull it off. 00:29:47.400 --> 00:29:50.240 The power of the army 00:29:50.240 --> 00:29:50.839 at his fingertips. 00:29:50.980 --> 00:29:52.799 The promise of God 00:29:52.799 --> 00:29:53.700 that Cicero 00:29:53.700 --> 00:29:54.299 would be delivered 00:29:54.299 --> 00:29:55.339 into his hands 00:29:55.339 --> 00:29:56.680 and yet he waits 00:29:56.680 --> 00:29:58.000 for Deborah 00:29:58.000 --> 00:29:58.700 to prompt him 00:29:58.700 --> 00:29:59.339 to promise 00:29:59.339 --> 00:30:00.779 to go with him 00:30:00.779 --> 00:30:01.600 and then 00:30:01.600 --> 00:30:02.600 he finally 00:30:02.600 --> 00:30:04.039 acts. 00:30:04.100 --> 00:30:04.420 And we see 00:30:04.420 --> 00:30:04.940 that God does 00:30:04.940 --> 00:30:05.720 exactly what 00:30:05.720 --> 00:30:06.559 he said 00:30:06.559 --> 00:30:08.640 that he would do. 00:30:08.640 --> 00:30:10.040 and then we find 00:30:10.040 --> 00:30:11.680 him in Hebrews 11 00:30:11.680 --> 00:30:12.759 being mentioned 00:30:12.759 --> 00:30:15.120 as a man 00:30:15.120 --> 00:30:16.140 meant to spur 00:30:16.140 --> 00:30:17.240 us on 00:30:17.240 --> 00:30:18.060 to further 00:30:18.060 --> 00:30:19.780 faith. 00:30:21.240 --> 00:30:22.420 I am so glad 00:30:22.420 --> 00:30:23.080 this connection 00:30:23.080 --> 00:30:23.920 was made 00:30:23.920 --> 00:30:24.500 in my mind 00:30:24.500 --> 00:30:24.980 as I was 00:30:24.980 --> 00:30:25.980 reading through 00:30:25.980 --> 00:30:26.420 the judges 00:30:26.420 --> 00:30:26.960 and preparing 00:30:26.960 --> 00:30:27.580 for this. 00:30:27.579 --> 00:30:30.559 I know that name. 00:30:31.199 --> 00:30:32.259 Somewhere else 00:30:32.259 --> 00:30:32.919 in the Bible. 00:30:33.259 --> 00:30:33.879 Somewhere else 00:30:33.879 --> 00:30:35.099 I've seen the name 00:30:35.099 --> 00:30:36.319 Barak. 00:30:36.539 --> 00:30:36.859 Where? 00:30:37.699 --> 00:30:38.779 And here it was 00:30:38.779 --> 00:30:39.659 sitting right here 00:30:39.659 --> 00:30:41.399 in verse 32 00:30:41.399 --> 00:30:43.119 of Hebrews 11. 00:30:45.199 --> 00:30:45.519 Beloved, 00:30:45.579 --> 00:30:46.519 the life of Barak 00:30:46.519 --> 00:30:47.019 ought to be 00:30:47.019 --> 00:30:48.679 of great encouragement 00:30:48.679 --> 00:30:50.480 to our souls. 00:30:50.519 --> 00:30:51.279 Not because he's 00:30:51.279 --> 00:30:52.259 some massive hero 00:30:52.259 --> 00:30:52.899 of the faith. 00:30:53.439 --> 00:30:54.199 Let's all be 00:30:54.199 --> 00:30:55.079 like Barak. 00:30:55.819 --> 00:30:56.079 No, 00:30:56.139 --> 00:30:56.460 but rather 00:30:56.460 --> 00:30:57.079 because God 00:30:57.079 --> 00:30:58.079 is so gracious 00:30:58.079 --> 00:30:59.660 to his people 00:30:59.660 --> 00:31:00.779 even in his 00:31:00.779 --> 00:31:01.539 people's 00:31:01.539 --> 00:31:02.940 weakness. 00:31:05.140 --> 00:31:05.420 Barak should 00:31:05.420 --> 00:31:06.279 encourage our souls 00:31:06.279 --> 00:31:06.799 and the author 00:31:06.799 --> 00:31:08.019 of Hebrews 00:31:08.019 --> 00:31:08.480 agrees. 00:31:08.700 --> 00:31:09.539 He goes on 00:31:09.539 --> 00:31:10.880 in chapter 12 00:31:10.880 --> 00:31:12.860 verse 1. 00:31:12.960 --> 00:31:13.259 Therefore, 00:31:14.400 --> 00:31:14.920 since we are 00:31:14.920 --> 00:31:15.640 surrounded by 00:31:15.640 --> 00:31:16.279 so great 00:31:16.279 --> 00:31:16.980 a cloud 00:31:16.980 --> 00:31:18.440 of witnesses 00:31:18.440 --> 00:31:19.640 including 00:31:19.640 --> 00:31:20.759 this Barak, 00:31:21.460 --> 00:31:21.980 let us lay 00:31:21.980 --> 00:31:22.680 aside every 00:31:22.680 --> 00:31:23.579 weight and sin 00:31:23.579 --> 00:31:24.160 which clings 00:31:24.160 --> 00:31:24.819 so closely 00:31:24.819 --> 00:31:25.319 and let us 00:31:25.319 --> 00:31:25.860 run 00:31:25.859 --> 00:31:27.039 with endurance 00:31:27.039 --> 00:31:27.839 the race 00:31:27.839 --> 00:31:29.259 that is set 00:31:29.259 --> 00:31:29.959 before us. 00:31:30.519 --> 00:31:31.059 Let us 00:31:31.059 --> 00:31:32.539 be encouraged 00:31:32.539 --> 00:31:34.039 by the little 00:31:34.039 --> 00:31:34.879 faith of Barak 00:31:34.879 --> 00:31:36.379 who acted 00:31:36.379 --> 00:31:37.439 all the same 00:31:37.439 --> 00:31:38.259 in all of 00:31:38.259 --> 00:31:39.000 his weakness 00:31:39.000 --> 00:31:39.939 and God 00:31:39.939 --> 00:31:40.439 accomplished 00:31:40.439 --> 00:31:41.219 his task 00:31:41.219 --> 00:31:42.799 through him. 00:31:44.159 --> 00:31:44.619 The author of 00:31:44.619 --> 00:31:45.019 Hebrews doesn't 00:31:45.019 --> 00:31:45.519 leave us off 00:31:45.519 --> 00:31:45.679 there. 00:31:45.759 --> 00:31:46.240 He takes us 00:31:46.240 --> 00:31:47.919 on to verse 2. 00:31:48.279 --> 00:31:49.339 Not looking 00:31:49.339 --> 00:31:50.379 to Barak, 00:31:50.479 --> 00:31:50.899 I think we 00:31:50.899 --> 00:31:51.659 could read here, 00:31:51.660 --> 00:31:52.160 but rather 00:31:52.160 --> 00:31:53.220 looking to 00:31:53.220 --> 00:31:54.360 Jesus. 00:31:55.440 --> 00:31:56.140 The man 00:31:56.140 --> 00:31:57.080 of perfect 00:31:57.080 --> 00:31:57.480 faith, 00:31:57.560 --> 00:31:58.700 the founder, 00:32:00.019 --> 00:32:01.160 the establisher, 00:32:01.840 --> 00:32:02.320 and the 00:32:02.320 --> 00:32:03.360 perfecter 00:32:03.360 --> 00:32:04.960 of our faith. 00:32:05.759 --> 00:32:06.259 Who for the 00:32:06.259 --> 00:32:06.820 joy that was 00:32:06.820 --> 00:32:07.279 set before 00:32:07.279 --> 00:32:07.840 him endured 00:32:07.840 --> 00:32:08.480 the cross 00:32:08.480 --> 00:32:10.000 despising the 00:32:10.000 --> 00:32:10.519 shame and 00:32:10.519 --> 00:32:10.980 is seated 00:32:10.980 --> 00:32:12.120 at the right 00:32:12.120 --> 00:32:13.620 hand of the 00:32:13.620 --> 00:32:14.320 throne of God. 00:32:15.360 --> 00:32:15.880 And so if we 00:32:15.880 --> 00:32:16.440 have for us 00:32:16.440 --> 00:32:16.900 this Jesus 00:32:16.900 --> 00:32:17.460 that's gone 00:32:17.460 --> 00:32:18.160 before us, 00:32:18.240 --> 00:32:19.080 who lived 00:32:19.080 --> 00:32:19.400 the perfect 00:32:19.400 --> 00:32:19.940 life that we 00:32:19.940 --> 00:32:20.279 needed, 00:32:20.740 --> 00:32:21.059 died the 00:32:21.059 --> 00:32:21.400 death that 00:32:21.400 --> 00:32:22.360 we deserved 00:32:22.360 --> 00:32:22.700 and is 00:32:22.700 --> 00:32:23.120 seated at 00:32:23.120 --> 00:32:24.059 God's right 00:32:24.059 --> 00:32:25.580 hand now. 00:32:25.700 --> 00:32:25.920 And we 00:32:25.920 --> 00:32:26.279 are being 00:32:26.279 --> 00:32:27.279 cheered on 00:32:27.279 --> 00:32:28.299 by all 00:32:28.299 --> 00:32:29.759 of them. 00:32:32.019 --> 00:32:32.360 And so 00:32:32.360 --> 00:32:33.080 there's a 00:32:33.080 --> 00:32:33.980 single application 00:32:33.980 --> 00:32:34.740 for today. 00:32:35.519 --> 00:32:36.259 Often I start 00:32:36.259 --> 00:32:36.820 out sermons 00:32:36.820 --> 00:32:37.400 by telling you 00:32:37.400 --> 00:32:37.620 what the 00:32:37.620 --> 00:32:37.940 points are 00:32:37.940 --> 00:32:38.220 going to be. 00:32:38.299 --> 00:32:38.539 You notice 00:32:38.539 --> 00:32:38.980 I did not 00:32:38.980 --> 00:32:39.420 do that. 00:32:41.039 --> 00:32:41.840 There's one 00:32:41.840 --> 00:32:43.620 single point. 00:32:44.820 --> 00:32:45.460 All of us 00:32:45.460 --> 00:32:45.920 at times are 00:32:45.920 --> 00:32:46.100 going to 00:32:46.100 --> 00:32:47.680 struggle with 00:32:47.680 --> 00:32:48.180 our faith. 00:32:49.039 --> 00:32:49.380 Do we 00:32:49.380 --> 00:32:50.920 believe that 00:32:50.920 --> 00:32:51.320 the things 00:32:51.320 --> 00:32:51.740 that God 00:32:51.740 --> 00:32:52.100 has said 00:32:52.100 --> 00:32:52.360 to be 00:32:52.360 --> 00:32:52.960 true are 00:32:52.960 --> 00:32:53.540 in fact 00:32:53.540 --> 00:32:53.900 true? 00:32:54.000 --> 00:32:54.260 And do we 00:32:54.260 --> 00:32:54.740 orient our 00:32:54.740 --> 00:32:55.260 lives in 00:32:55.260 --> 00:32:55.580 accordance 00:32:55.580 --> 00:32:56.060 with it? 00:32:56.120 --> 00:32:56.340 And we 00:32:56.340 --> 00:32:56.680 should be 00:32:56.680 --> 00:32:57.100 greatly 00:32:57.100 --> 00:32:58.440 encouraged 00:32:58.440 --> 00:32:59.700 by the 00:32:59.700 --> 00:33:00.520 life of 00:33:00.520 --> 00:33:01.000 Barak, 00:33:01.280 --> 00:33:02.320 mentioned in 00:33:02.320 --> 00:33:03.260 this great 00:33:03.260 --> 00:33:04.520 list of 00:33:04.520 --> 00:33:05.860 people of 00:33:05.860 --> 00:33:06.200 faith. 00:33:06.700 --> 00:33:07.400 That work 00:33:07.400 --> 00:33:07.740 that God 00:33:07.740 --> 00:33:08.160 has begun 00:33:08.160 --> 00:33:08.520 in us, 00:33:08.560 --> 00:33:08.860 he will 00:33:08.860 --> 00:33:09.380 bring to 00:33:09.380 --> 00:33:10.000 a close 00:33:10.000 --> 00:33:10.620 at the 00:33:10.620 --> 00:33:11.760 day of 00:33:11.760 --> 00:33:12.080 Christ. 00:33:12.220 --> 00:33:12.920 Press on, 00:33:13.180 --> 00:33:13.440 dear 00:33:13.440 --> 00:33:14.300 Christian. 00:33:14.640 --> 00:33:15.160 The celestial 00:33:15.160 --> 00:33:15.780 city is 00:33:15.780 --> 00:33:17.220 closer than 00:33:17.220 --> 00:33:17.600 you think. 00:33:18.060 --> 00:33:18.580 Let's pray 00:33:18.580 --> 00:33:18.860 together.