The Word for Today with Ray

Thursday, September 17, 2026

The LORD Discomforted Sisera - Judges 4:15

In the book of Judges we learned how, “Heber the Kenite, which was of the children of Hobab the father in law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent unto the plain of Zaanaim, which is by Kedesh. And they showed Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam was gone up to mount Tabor. And Sisera gathered together all his chariots, even nine hundred chariots of iron, and all the people that were with him, from Harosheth of the Gentiles unto the river of Kishon. And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this is the day in which the LORD has delivered Sisera into your hand: is not the LORD gone out before you? So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him”, and in chapter four and verse fifteen of Judges, we learn how, “the LORD discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots” where we read,

And the LORD discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his host, with the edge of the sword before Barak; so that Sisera lighted down off his chariot, and fled away on his feet.

The verse reads, “And the LORD discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his host, with the edge of the sword before Barak;” The writer began with the words, “and the LORD” which means “and Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God” “discomforted Sisera” or “moved noisily, confused, broke and crushed Sisera whose name means ‘battle array’ and was the conquering general under king Jabin of Hazor and slain by Jael”, “and all his chariots” which means “and each, the whole and everyone of his, Sisera’s, war wagons”, “and all his host” or “and each, the whole and everyone of his, Sisera’s, army camp” “with the edge of the sword” which means “by the use of the sharpened extremity or end belonging to the sharpened war implement Busch as a knife or other implement” “before Barak” or “in front and in advance of Barak whose name means ‘lightning or lightning flash’ and was the son of Abinoam of Kedesh who, incited by Deborah, a prophetess of Ephraim, delivered the Israelites from the yoke of Jabin by routing the Canaanites in the plain of Jezreel”. The writer shared how Jehovah God crushed “Sisera”, his war wagons and his army through the sharpened blade of the war implement in the presence of “Barak”.

The verse goes on to say, “so that Sisera lighted down off his chariot, and fled away on his feet.” The verse continued with the words, “so that Sisera” which means “by which Sisera whose name means “battle array” and was “the conquering general under king Jabin of Hazor and slain by Jael” “lighted down off his chariot” or “descended from his, Sisera’s, war wagon, “and fled away on his feet” which means “and ran away upon his, Sisera’s, physical feet”. The writer shared how “Sisera” descended from his war wagon and ran away upon his physical “feet” when Jehovah God crushed his war wagons and army.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how Jehovah God was involved in this battle, and He afflicted “Sisera”, his war wagons and the army who accompanied him. God used the sharpened edge of a war weapon to defeat “Sisera” even to the point that he descended from his war wagon and ran away on his physical feet. God was on the move, and when He makes a plan in opposition to someone, His will shall be done. God loves us, and when we yield our lives to His Son Jesus who was crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised from the dead after three years, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and teach us to trust Him to fight our battles for us when they come. Let all who read these words submit to Jesus who alone can provide the power to live in a pleasing manner to Him. (See John 3:16; 16:13, Acts 1:8; Revelation 3:20)

Next time we learn how, “Barak pursued after the chariots, and after the host”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

Delivering Sisera - Judges 4:14

In the book of Judges we learned how, “Heber the Kenite, which was of the children of Hobab the father in law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent unto the plain of Zaanaim, which is by Kedesh. And they showed Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam was gone up to mount Tabor. And Sisera gathered together all his chariots, even nine hundred chariots of iron, and all the people that were with him, from Harosheth of the Gentiles unto the river of Kishon”, and in chapter four and verse fourteen of Judges, we learn how, “Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this is the day in which the LORD has delivered Sisera into your hand” where we read,

And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this is the day in which the LORD has delivered Sisera into your hand: is not the LORD gone out before you? So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him.

The verse reads, “And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this is the day in which the LORD has delivered Sisera into your hand: is not the LORD gone out before you?” The writer began with the words, “and Deborah” whose name means “bee” and was “a prophetess who judged Israel” “said unto Barak” or “uttered, declared and proclaimed to Barak whose name means ‘lightning or lightning flash’ and was the son of Abinoam of Kedesh who, incited by Deborah, a prophetess of Ephraim, delivered the Israelites from the yoke of Jabin by routing the Canaanites in the plain of Jezreel”, “Up; for this is the day” which means “arise and ascend; because, since and on account that this particular sunrise to sunset” “in which the LORD” or “that Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God” “has delivered Sisera” which means “has set, put, granted, bestowed and committed Sisera whose name means ‘battle array’ and was the conquering general under king Jabin of Hazor and slain by Jael” “into your hand” or “in your, Barak’s, power, strength and authority”: “is not the LORD” which means “is not Jehovah who is the existing One” “gone out before you” or “departed, left and proceeded in advance and prior to you, Barak”? The writer shared how “Deborah” instructed “Barak” to arise because that particular sunrise to sunset Jehovah was to give “Sisera” over to “Barak”, and she asked “Barak” whether Jehovah went out in advance of him.

The verse continues, “So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him.” The added the words, “so Barak” which means “wherefore, therefore and then Barak whose name means “lightning or lightning flash” “went down from mount Tabor” or “descended and went forth apart from the rising above the plain known as Tabor whose name means ‘mound’ and was a mountain in the plain of Esdraelon rising abruptly and insulated except for a narrow ridge on the west connecting it to the hills of Nazareth”, “and ten thousand men after him” which means “and ten thousand male human beings following him, Barak”. The writer shared how “Barak” descended from the rising above the plain known as “Tabor” accompanied by “ten thousand” male human beings who followed him.

When we think through the words in this verse, we see with the prompting of “Deborah”, “Barak” finally took action as Jehovah God went in advance of him. He took “ten thousand” males with him, and now the battle was to be engaged. There is a time for planning, and there is a time when action is necessary. God sent His Son Jesus into the world to deal with the problem of sin, and when He died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days, He made the way through faith and trust in Him to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and equipped with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and give us the ability to live in keeping with His desires within His Kingdom. (See John 3:16;16;13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)

Next time we learn how, “the LORD discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Sisera Gathering His Chariots - Judges 4:13

And Sisera gathered together all his chariots, even nine hundred chariots of iron, and all the people that were with him, from Harosheth of the Gentiles unto the river of Kishon.

The verse reads, “And Sisera gathered together all his chariots, even nine hundred chariots of iron, …” The writer began with the words, “and Sisera gathered together” which means “and Sisera whose name means ‘battle array’ and was the conquering general under king Jabin of Hazor and slain by Jael, collected and assembled” “all his chariots” or “each, the whole and everyone of his, Sisera’s, war wagons”, “even nine hundred chariots” which means “indeed nine hundred war wagons” “of iron” or “made with iron ore”. The writer shared how “Sisera” assembled everyone of his “nine hundred” war wagons fashioned from iron ore.

The verse continues, “… and all the people that were with him, from Harosheth of the Gentiles unto the river of Kishon.” The added the words, “and all the people” which means “and each, the whole and every one of the human beings” “that were with him” or “whose existed alongside and accompanying him, Sisera”, “from Harosheth” which means “separate and apart from Harosheth whose name means ‘woodland’ and was a city in the north of the land of Canaan on the west coast of the lake Merom” “of the Gentiles” or “belonging to the foreign, heathen and pagan people” “unto the river of Kishon” which means “to the flowing stream belonging to Kishon whose name means ‘winding’ and was a river in central Palestine; scene of the defeat of Sisera by the Israelites in the time of the judges and the destruction of the prophets of Baal by Elijah”. The writer shared how each and every one of the people who accompanied “Sisera” were also assembled separate and apart from “Harosheth” which belonged to the pagan foreign people to the flowing stream belonging to “Kishon”.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we see how “Sisera” began to act upon the information that “Barak” was preparing for battle. He assembled his war wagons and military personnel, and he gathered the other individuals to prepare for war. God knew this, and because He was behind the people of Israel, regardless of what “Sisera” or anyone else decided or planned, He would have the victory. The same is true for us when we receive God’s Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days as our “Savior and Lord”. When we yield to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth and empower us to fulfill His will for our lives and have the victory regardless of who rises up against us or what preparations for battle are made. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 3:20)

Next time we learn how, “Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this is the day in which the LORD hath delivered Sisera into your hand”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Sisera Gone - Judges 4:12

In the book of Judges we learned how, “Heber the Kenite, which was of the children of Hobab the father in law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent unto the plain of Zaanaim, which is by Kedesh”, and in chapter four and verse twelve of Judges, we learn how, “they showed Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam was gone” where we read,

And they showed Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam was gone up to mount Tabor.

The verse reads, “And they showed Sisera …” The writer began with the words, “and they” which means “and the foes of Israel” “showed Sisera” or “told, made known and declared to Sisera whose name means ‘battle array’ and was the conquering general under king Jabin of Hazor and slain by Jael” the following information. The writer shared how the hating foes of Israel told “Sisera” about the following.

The verse goes on to say, “… that Barak the son of Abinoam was gone up to mount Tabor.” The writer continued with the words, “that Barak” which means “that Barak whose name means ‘lightning" or lightning flash” and was the son of Abinoam of Kedesh who, incited by Deborah, a prophetess of Ephraim, delivered the Israelites from the yoke of Jabin by routing the Canaanites in the plain of Jezreel” “the son of Abinoam” or “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Abinoam whose name means ‘my father is delight’ and was the father of Barak and a descendant of Naphtali” “was gone up to mount Tabor” which means “arose and ascended to the rising above the plain known as Tabor whose name means ‘mound’ and was a mountain in the plain of Esdraelon rising abruptly and insulated except for a narrow ridge on the west connecting it to the hills of Nazareth”. The writer shared how the foes of Israel told “Sisera” that “Abinoam’s” son “Barak” was ascending to the rising above the plain known as “Tabor”.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how the enemy of Israel was informed about “Barak” ascending to the place of battle in “Tabor”. Just because God was using people to carry out His will, did not mean that their hating adversaries were unaware. God was still able to defeat them, and we shall see how He does this in our next few verses. For now let us consider that we also have a hating foe who desires to keep us from having our sins forgiven and having a personal relationship with God. God defeated Him when He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the dead after three days. When we surrender to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting and give us His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth and to equip us to live according to that truth in a manner that is victorious over every foe who rises up against us. (See John 3:16; Psalm 91:7)

Next time we learn how, “Sisera gathered together all his chariots”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Heber the Kenite - Judges 4:11

In the book of Judges we learned how, “Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time. And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment. And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Has not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with you ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun? And I will draw unto you to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into your hand. And Barak said unto her, If you will go with me, then I will go: but if you will not go with me, then I will not go. And she said, I will surely go with you: notwithstanding the journey that you take shall not be for your honor; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh. And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh; and he went up with ten thousand men at his feet: and Deborah went up with him”, and in chapter four and verse eleven of Judges, we learn how, “Heber the Kenite … had severed himself from the Kenites” where we read,

Now Heber the Kenite, which was of the children of Hobab the father in law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent unto the plain of Zaanaim, which is by Kedesh.

The verse reads, “Now Heber the Kenite, which was of the children of Hobab the father in law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, …” The writer began with the words, “now Heber the Kenite” which means “Heber whose name means ‘comrade’ and was the husband of Jael, who slew Sisera by driving a nail into his temple, the Kenite whose name means ‘smiths’ and was the tribe from which the father-in-law of Moses was a member and lived in the area between southern Palestine and the mountains of Sinai”, “which was of the children of Hobab” or “who existed as one of the offspring and progeny belonging to Hobab whose name means ‘cherished’ and was the son of Reuel, the Midianite father-in-law of Moses, also known as Jethro, and brother-in-law of Moses” “the father in law of Moses” or “the male progenitor according to the law of marriage belonging to Moses whose name means ‘drawn out’ and was the prophet, lawgiver and leader of the exodus”, “had severed himself” which means “had separated, divided and spread apart his own self” “from the Kenites” or “separate and apart from the Kenites who were the descendants of the smiths”. The writer shared how “Heber” who existed as a “Kenite” and was from the offspring and progeny belonging to “Hobab” who was “Moses’” male progenitor in law by marriage, separated from the “Kenites”.

The verse continues, “… and pitched his tent unto the plain of Zaanaim, which is by Kedesh.” The writer added the words, “and pitched his tent” which means “and stretched, spread out and extended his temporary dwelling place” “unto the plain of Zaanaim” or “to the great terebinth tree belonging to Zaanaim or Zaanannim whose name means ‘removings’ and was a place in Naphtali near Kedesh”, “which is by Kedesh” which means “that is next to and beside Kedesh whose name means ‘holy place’ and was a city in the extreme south of Judah”. The writer shared how “Heber” stretched out his temporary dwelling place at the great terebinth tree which was located in “Zaanaim”.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn about the husband of a central figure in this story of deliverance of Israel by Jehovah God. “Heber” was the male spouse belonging to “Jael” who will play a significant role in the defeat of “Jabin”, and we shall learn about her in later verses. God had a plan for these people, and He has a plan for us. He worked out the first part of His plan for us when He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the dead after three days. When we yield to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and empower us to live according to that truth so we fulfill His plan for us in whatever way He desires. (See John 3:16; Jeremiah 29:11)

Next time we learn how, “they showed Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam was gone”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Wednesday, September 16, 2026

Barak Calling Zebulun and Naphtali - Judges 4:10

In the book of Judges we learned how “Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time. And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment. And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Has not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with you ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun? And I will draw unto you to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into your hand. And Barak said unto her, If you will go with me, then I will go: but if you will not go with me, then I will not go. And she said, I will surely go with you: notwithstanding the journey that you take shall not be for your honor; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh”, and in chapter four and verse ten of Judges, we learn how, “Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh” where we read,

And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh;

and he went up with ten thousand men at his feet: and Deborah went up with him.

The verse reads, “And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh;” The writer began with the words, “and Barak” whose name means “lightning or lightning flash” and was the son of Abinoam of Kedesh who, incited by Deborah, a prophetess of Ephraim, delivered the Israelites from the yoke of Jabin by routing the Canaanites in the plain of Jezreel” “called Zebulun” or “summoned and called out to Zebulun whose name means ‘exalted’ and was the tenth of the sons of Jacob and the six and last of Leah who was the progenitor of Zebulun” “and Naphtali” whose name means ‘wrestling’ and was the sixth son of Jacob and the second by Bilhah the handmaid of Rachel” “to Kadesh” which means “toward Kadesh whose name means ‘holy place’ and was a city in the extreme south of Judah”. The writer shared how “Barak” summoned “Zebulun and Naphtali” to the city of “Kadesh”.

The verse goes on to say, “and he went up with ten thousand men at his feet: and Deborah went up with him.” The writer continued with words, “and he went up” which means “and he, Barak, arose and ascended” “with ten thousand men” or “alongside and accompanied by ten thousand male human warriors” “at his feet” which means “at his, Barak’s, every step”. “And Deborah” whose name means ‘bee” “went up with him” or “arose and ascended alongside and accompanying him, Barak”. The writer shared how “Barak” ascended to “Kedesh” accompanied by “ten thousand” male warriors and “Deborah” by his side.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we discover how “Barak” took action by summoning his neighboring tribes, “Zebulun and Naphtali” to go to “Kedesh” alongside him, and “Deborah” accompanied them as well. All of this was being orchestrated by Jehovah God, and when we yield our lives to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and give us direction and ability to fulfill His purpose for our lives. (See John 3:16: 16:13; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 2:13)

Next time we learn how, “Heber the Kenite … had severed himself from the Kenites”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

The Journey Shall Not Be for Your Honor - Judges 4:9

In the book of Judges we learned how, “Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time. And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment. And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Has not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with you ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun? And I will draw unto you to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into your hand. And Barak said unto her, If you will go with me, then I will go: but if you will not go with me, then I will not go”, and in chapter four and verse nine of Judges, we learn how Deborah said, “I will surely go with you: notwithstanding the journey that you take shall not be for your honor” where we read,

And she said, I will surely go with you: notwithstanding the journey that you take shall not be for your honor; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.

The verse reads, “And she said, I will surely go with you: notwithstanding the journey that you take shall not be for your honor;” The writer began with the words, “and she said” which means “and she, Deborah, uttered, declared and proclaimed”, “I will surely go with you” or “I, Deborah, shall certainly depart and leave alongside and accompanying you, Barak”: “notwithstanding the journey” or “however, nonetheless and moreover the road, path and course” “that you take shall not be” which means “that you, Barak, depart, proceed and move toward will in no manner or way exist” “for your honor” or “on behalf of your, Barak’s, beauty, splendor and glory”. The writer shared how “Deborah” told “Barak” that she would depart alongside him, but his way of travel would in no way exist for his splendor, glory and credit.

The verse continues, “for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.” The writer added the words, “for the LORD” which means “because, since and on account that Jehovah who is the existing One and is the proper name of the One True God” “shall sell Sisera” or “will give and merchandise Sisera whose name means ‘battle array’ and was the conquering general under king Jabin of Hazor and slain by Jael” “into the hand of a woman” which means “in the power, might and authority belonging to a female human being”. “And Deborah arose” or “and Deborah whose name means ‘bee” got up, ascended and raised herself”, “and went with Barak” which means “and departed and left alongside and accompanying Barak whose name means ‘lightning or lightning flash’ and was the son of Abinoam of Kedesh who, incited by Deborah, a prophetess of Ephraim, delivered the Israelites from the yoke of Jabin by routing the Canaanites in the plain of Jezreel” “to Kedesh” or “toward Kedesh whose name means ‘holy place’ and was a city in the extreme south of Judah”. The writer shared how Deborah told “Barak” that she would depart with him to battle “Jabin”, however, Jehovah God would deliver “Sisera” over to the power of a female human being.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how Deborah” accompanied “Barak” to the battle with “Jabin” and his army, and we shall see what happens in our next few verses. For now, let us be reminded that God is “no respecter of persons” (See Acts 10:34), and He will use anyone who yields to His Son Jesus who was crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and give us the ability to fulfill His purpose for our lives in His Kingdom. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Matthew 6:33)

Next time we learn how, “Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…