A God-Ordained Rout

At the beginning of today’s passage, with battle looming between the subjugated Israelites and their Canaanite oppressors, the author of Judges pauses to convey a seemingly trivial detail that is unrelated to the narrative thus far. Heber the Kenite, we are told, a descendant of Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, has parted from the rest of his family and settled near Kedesh, the very site where Barak is mustering his troops. We’re not told why Heber has left the Kenites, presumably those who had moved south into the Wilderness of Judah (Judg. 1:16) in the south of Canaan. Nevertheless, here he is, with his family, and they will play a key role in the battle that is about to unfold. When the text notes that “they” tell Sisera that Barak has assembled an army, it may be referring to the Kenites. They were friendly with the Israelites in the recent past, but Heber’s family, at least, does not share their enmity toward the Canaanites (4:17). Still, whether word of Barak’s actions comes to the Canaanites from the Kenites or some other source, it serves the purpose of God to “ ‘deploy Sisera … with his chariots and his multitude’ ” (4:7).

Barak musters his army and assembles it on Mount Tabor. Sisera, apparently determined to stamp out this rebellion, brings out his whole force, including his 900 chariots, and marches to the River Kishon at the foot of the mountain. Then God springs His trap. Speaking through Deborah, He orders Barak to launch the attack, promising that “ ‘this is the day in which the LORD has delivered Sisera into your hand’ ” and announcing that He Himself already has marched into battle for Israel. So Barak and his men charge down from the summit—an apparently suicidal move, for they go down onto the plain where the chariots can operate at full capacity. And yet, we are told that God routs Sisera and all his army, including his chariots. Judges 5:21 offers a tantalizing clue as to how God accomplishes this; it speaks of the “torrent of Kishon” sweeping the enemy away. The river often was dry, but it could experience flash floods during heavy rains. Perhaps God sends such a rain and sweeps away or bogs down the chariots, negating Sisera’s advantage. This would explain why he leaves his chariot and flees on foot. In any case, Israel’s victory is total, due to the aid of the nation’s warrior God.