The Wars of Israel : Battles of the Judges of Israel: Ehud, Shamgar and Deborah and Barak

and Their Meaning

Ehud's Defeat of the Moabites: Judges 3

Wars of Israel Taking Canaan-Index | Judges | Bible Passage

The Lord's People
& Leaders Ehud, the Judge of Israel
The Children of Israel

The Enemy's People
& Leaders Moabites; no leader listed, Ehud had just slain Eglon

Object
To put an end to warring Moabites;
to take the Land for Israel
King Eglon of the Moabites, had formed an alliance with the children of Ammon and Amalek. Israel was under service to Eglon for 18 years. Ehud's objective was to rid Israel from servitude to Eglon; and Deliver the land to Israel from the Moabites.

Strategies Went down from Mountain with Ehud leading Israel in frontal assault.
Lord delivers enemy in to Israel's hands.

Location Beyond Quarries, into Seirath. Trumpet blown on a Mountain of Ephraim

Outcome
Moabites delivered by Lord into the hands of Israel
Took fords of Jordan toward Moab
Would not allow any to cross over (v.28>
Victory resulted in 80 year Peace

Spoils 10,000 Moabites slain
Land had Rest for 80 years.

Spiritual Implications This short description of an intense war of Israel shows

The Obedience of a Leader of Israel resulting in victory
A massive victory against a brutal enemy described as 'lusty & full of valor
.

Implications for Faith
The Deliverance of Israel is always in God's Will
The Obedience of a Leader of Israel to God, is followed by obedience of the Children of Israel to a leader, which results in Victory over Israel's Enemies.

Cross-references & Other Critical Facts xxxxxxxxxx

Shamgar & The Philistines Judges 3:31

Wars of Israel | Taking Canaan-Index | Judges | Bible Passage

The Lord's People & Leaders Shamgar, the son of Anath, the Judge following Ehud

The Enemy's People & Leaders The Philistines

Object of the Battle
Deliverance of Israel

Strategies of the Battle
A frontal battle against the Philistines: Shamgar noted as fighting with an oxgoad.

Place of the Battle Not directly given, presumably in the same area as the battle of Ehud; near the Mountain in Ephraim

Intelligence none specified (verses 4-5)

Results of the Battle
The Lord delivered Israel
600 Philistines fell in Battle
Israel has rest.

Reward
freedom for Israel
peacetime
Deliverance from brutal heathen culture

Spiritual Implications
Victory was in the Power of God

Implications for Faith
One against many in deliverance of Israel brings Victory
The Battle is the Lord's:
A similar issue as in Gideon and the Midianites: one against many in the power of God will win more than a mighty army.

Cross-references & Other Critical Facts ¹Philistines were a constant enemy to Israel even to the time of David. Goliath is from the camp of the Philistines: they were a constant thorn in Israel's side: extremely brutal and of great stature. KJV.

The War of Deborah: Judges 4

Wars of Israel | Taking Canaan-Index | Judges | Bible Passage

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The Lord's People & Leaders
People:Israelites:10,000 of Naphtali & Zebulun
Leader: Barak:son of Abinoam from Kedesh-naphtali and Deborah:Judge of Israel, a prohetess; wife of Lapidoth, (Josh 10:6-7)

The Enemy's People & Leaders Northern Canaanites-; Leader: Sisera: Captain of Jabin's Army
Jabin, King of Canaan in Hanor

Object of the Battle
To deliver from 20 years of oppression by Jabin & 900 chariot army.

Strategies of the Battle
Barak, leader of Israelites seeks God's Counsel by Deborah the Judge and Prophetess
Deborah gives God's Command: take 10,000 men and go to Mt. Tabor by River Kishon
God promises to draw Sisera & mulititude to River Kishon.
Intelligence given Sisera that Barak is going to Tabor/Kishon
Barak, by cowardice, demands Deborah accompanies him into battle: Result is enemy given into a woman's hand.

Location of the Battle near Mt. Tabor by River Kishon

Results of the Battle
Barak 'discomfiteth' Sisera and troops with sword
Sisera flees on foot
Host of Sisera flees to Harosheth, Barak pursues.
All of Sisera's troops killed.
Sisera Killed by Jael by nail in his temples

Spiritual Implications
Partial obedience given partial Victory
Barak's leaning on Deborah shows partial faith
War is God Directed for Deliverance to Israel

Implications for Faith
If it is in God's will, and there is even partial obedience, Victory will be given.
Partial obedience leads to partial victory for the person under command: Barak could have had victory for the battle, but he relied on the prophetess Deborah, great of faith and loyalty, a "mother in Israel" because his faith was timid.
A woman's ministry can extend even to leadership in Israel, with the office of Prophetess and Judge: the criteria appeared to be obedience, loyalty and surrender.
God's perfect order in leadership is male leadership, but when that fails, women are called.
Jael, the woman is given victory over the head of an Army, to shame Barak because of partial obedience.

Cross-references & Other Critical Facts An interesting note: Heber the Kenite was located in the plain of Zaanaim by Kedesh, where the battle takes place. This gave Israel favor and an advantage. In verse 11 it is noted that he was a child of Hobab, Tzipporah's father, Moses' father-in-law which had separated from the other Kenites.