Barak: Cowardly Conscience or Courageous Character?

A number of years ago, something was brought to my attention that made me revisit the narrative I had been taught regarding Barak and Deborah in Judges 4. The narrative went something like this: Barak was a weak coward, fearful and lacking faith, he failed to lead, therefore God gave glory to a woman as a consequence, to punish and shame him and that’s the reason God chose Deborah to be a leader, judge, prophetess. Barak wasn’t being responsible and instead relied on a woman, Deborah, and because of his timidity, he wasn’t going to get the glory, so, to shame him, God gave the glory to Jael. This was considered Divine judgment!

Here's the context: Judges 4 tells the story of Deborah, Barak, and Jael during a time when Israel was oppressed by Jabin, king of Canaan, and his general Sisera. Deborah, a prophetess and judge, receives God’s command to instruct Barak to lead 10,000 men from Naphtali and Zebulun against Sisera at Mount Tabor. Barak agrees but insists Deborah accompany him (This request has been interpreted as being fearful, lacking faith implying Barak is a weak and timid coward.) She agrees but prophesies that the glory of victory will go to a woman. God delivers Sisera’s army into Barak’s hands through a miraculous rout, aided by a storm that bogged down the chariots. Sisera flees and seeks refuge in the tent of Jael, a Kenite woman. Jael welcomes him but kills him by driving a tent peg through his head while he sleeps, fulfilling Deborah’s prophecy. The chapter ends with Israel’s victory, crediting God’s deliverance through Deborah, Barak, and Jael, weakening Jabin’s rule. (this summary is with Grok’s help, but I encourage you to read Judges 3-5 for yourself)

There is lots of support from the church fathers and commentaries that perpetuated this patristic narrative: Jerome, Calvin, Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole and others (you are welcome to research this, here’s a link to help Judges 4:9 Commentaries: She said, "I will surely go with you; nevertheless, the honor shall not be yours on the journey that you are about to take, for the LORD will sell Sisera into the hands of a woman." Then Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh. )

Here’s Calvin’s take: "Barak's refusal to proceed without Deborah showed a cowardly spirit and unbelief, for which he was justly deprived of the honor of slaying Sisera; this was a consequence of his reluctance, as God transferred the glory to Jael to shame his timidity.” Calvin explicitly calls Barak's action "a mark of his timidity and distrust," linking it to the loss of glory as a punitive outcome. John Calvin, Commentaries on the Book of Judges, Chapter 4

I could share lots more, and it’s very fascinating, but now I would like to make a case that this is a beautiful and powerful collaboration between Deborah (the prophetic) and Barak (the practical) instead of Divine judgment. 

I will give biblical evidence for why I believe Barak was a wise and responsible leader, protecting his men from certain annihilation unless God showed up. God was testing Barak, and he passed with flying colors, so much so, that he is included in the heroes of faith listed in Hebrews 11:32-34:

And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the Prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the raging fire, and escaped the edge of the sword; who gained strength from weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight.…

THIS WAS A TEST FOR BARAK:

Judges 3:1: These are the nations the LORD left to test all those Israelites who had not experienced any of the wars in Canaan…

Israel was weak and vulnerable at this time. They had been harshly oppressed by Jabin the king of Canaan and Sisera and his army for 20 years! Israel’s weapons were very limited, no shields or spears per Judges 5:8, it seems sticks/ox goads were their weapon of choice because that was mostly what they had (see story of Shamgar in Judges 3) and they were up against Sisera’s army with 900 iron chariots! Barak knew that if God didn’t show up, it was suicide for the entire army of Israel and oppression for the people of Israel would be even more severe. It was a practical matter for him, and he was responsible for his men and to protect the people of Israel. It was wisdom for Barak to confirm that God was going to show up and help them fight.

In that culture, it was generally the honor of men to lead and get the glory. Would Barak be willing to go to battle if he didn’t get the glory? Once he confirmed that this was God and God would show up to help them, he didn’t hesitate! Who got the glory didn’t matter, this was the right thing to do, and he was completely on board! It was about obedience over glory!

Barak was humble and honored Deborah’s calling and gifting, accepting the unconventional plan, including not getting the glory. He passed the test with flying colors, celebrating with Deborah in Judges 5 and is included in Hebrews 11 as a hero of the faith!

CONCLUSION: Barak had a strong character! He was courageous, not a coward. Barak was responsible and reliable, not reluctant. Barak was a hero, not hesitant once he wisely confirmed that God was in this. Barak was a responsible, strategic and wise leader that protected his men and the people of Israel, not a weak wimp that abdicated his responsibilities. Yes, Israel and their military were vulnerable and weak at the time, but Barak rose up to the challenge and prophetic opportunity to free the people from the harsh tyranny that they had been under for decades.

The song of Deborah AND Barak is powerful testimony of this beautiful collaboration! (Sadly, the NIV titles Judges 5 as just the Song of Deborah)

What would the family of God look like when men and women collaborate together in their callings and giftings, instead of finding reasons to demean men and dismiss women. This story is a beautiful example of overcoming the attacks and oppression of the enemy together as brothers and sisters in the LORD!