Blessed, Not Honored - Barak

Barak told her, “I will go, but only if you go with me.”

Judges 4:8

Chicago crime commissioner Frank Loesch became legendary for his courage in putting an end to mobster Al Capone’s domination over the Windy City. Though even the FBI feared Capone, Loesch courageously endured threats to his own life—and the lives of his family and friends—and continued working to bring Capone to justice and make Chicago a safer place to live and do business.

Frank Loesch earned respect and honor for his courage.

An Old Testament military leader named Barak had an opportunity to earn honor among his people. He took part in Israel’s great military victory over the Canaanites, but his reluctance to lead courageously was costly.

At God’s direction, the judge Deborah ordered Barak to raise an army to fight the Canaanites, who had held the Israelites in subjection for two decades. God promised Barak victory, but Barak told Deborah he would go only if she promised to go with him.

On the positive side of the ledger, Barak demonstrated a measure of respect and honor for Deborah and for the position to which God had called her. His refusal to go to war if she stayed home also demonstrated a certain lack of courage and faith on his part.

As a prophet and judge, Deborah served God and her nation well. She never claimed to be a military leader—that was Barak’s job. So Deborah chided Barak in a way that must have stung him deeply: “Very well,” she replied, “I will go with you. But you will receive no honor in this venture, for the LORD’s victory over Sisera will be at the hands of a woman” (Judges 4:9).

For his faithful military service, Barak is listed in the Bible as a man of faith (see Hebrews 11:32-35). Because he didn’t step out when God called him, he missed an opportunity to establish an even greater name among his countrymen.

How do you respond when God calls you to do something great? To what great thing might he be calling you right now? When God calls you to accomplish something, set yourself up for blessing and honor by relying on him and stepping out in trust and obedience.