Through The Eyes – Deborah and Jael July 20 Discussion

Opening Music: On Jordan’s Stormy Banks

Opening Prayer

God of healing,
God of wholeness,
we bring our brokenness,
our sinfulness,
our fears
and despair,
and lay them at your feet.

God of healing,
God of wholeness,
we hold out hearts and hands,
minds and souls
to feel your touch,
and know the peace
that only you can bring.

God of healing,
God of wholeness,
this precious moment
in your presence and power
grant us faith and confidence
that here broken lives
are made whole.

From the website: Christian Prayers of confession and repentance (faithandworship.com)

Context: Timelines

Images from Sarah Beth Art

Question 1.B.

Whiteboard chart:
What is the pattern summarized in Judges 2:13-20
What does Israel Do
How does God Respond
How does Israel Respond
what Does God do
What are the Results
End Whitebard

Question 1.C.

What are other words to describe a “judge” in Israel?

Questions 2 and 3

3 Breakout Groups for 15 minutes
Back to Large Group

Question 3.E Further Info:

Barak was asking Deborah to risk her life to verify the truth of her words, and he was also asking a woman to do what he had been assigned to do. From his point of view the mission was suicidal, since the exposed Mount Tabor could easily be surrounded by the chariots of Sisera, cutting off any escape. Barak’s faith was not equal to this danger. (from ESV study Bible)

Question 4

Show how the battle unfolded on the maps

The Battle of Iron Chariots

Painting: Victory of the Israelites and Deborah’s Canticle by Luca Giordano

Question 5

Who were the Kenites

(Paraphrased from Smith’s Bible Dictionary)

  • A branch of the larger nation of Midian
  • Jethro, the Father-in-law of Moses, was living in the land of Midian, and a priest or prince of that nation.
  • The important services rendered by the sheikh of the Kenites to Moses during a time of great pressure and difficulty were rewarded with a promise of firm friendship between the two peoples.
  • They accompanied the Hebrews during their wanderings. But afterward went settled in “the wilderness of Judah, which is to the south of Arad”.
  • But one of the sheikhs of the tribe, Heber, had wandered north instead of south.

End Share Screen

Questions 6 and Summary

  • What stood out to you about Deborah
  • What stood out to you about Jael
  • What else stood out to you?
  • How would you summarize the role of Deborah and Jael?
  • What do we see in the story regarding God and God’s character?

Closing Prayer

Psalm 20:7 (NIV) “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”

Psalm 46 (ESV)
1 God is our refuge and strength,
    a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
    though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam,
    though the mountains tremble at its swelling.

10“Be still, and know that I am God.
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth!”
11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress. 

Closing Music – Be Still My Soul