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COLLECTIONS
Commentaries,
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Judges 4:1 Then the sons of Israel again did evil in the
sight of the LORD, after Ehud died. |
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THEN (time
phrase) THE SONS OF ISRAEL AGAIN (Jeremiah 5:3) DID (LXX
= poieo =
Active Voice = volitional choice to do) EVIL (LXX
= poneros = active
evil) IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD
Then - Always be alert
to the word "then" which marks sequential action. Something occurred, then
something else followed. That's the idea. This word takes on special import
in prophetic Scriptures, where it is an important clue of the timing of the
prophetic events. For example in the incredible prophecy of Daniel in
9:24-27 (see notes
Daniel 9:24
Daniel 9:25
Daniel 9:26
Daniel 9:27)
we read...
Then after the sixty-two weeks the
Messiah will be cut off... (
Daniel 9:26)
In this passage of course it is even made
more clear by the addition of the word "after".
Notice that this is the fourth cycle
in the book of Judges. Did evil in the
sight of the LORD - a repeated phrase in Judges - see notes
Judges 2:11,
3:12,
4:1,
6:1,
10:6,
Judges 13:1
The phrase did evil
is common in is also common in 1 and 2 Kings (24 times), increasing in frequency in
second Kings (click
for all 41 uses of the phrase "did evil" in the OT). It is as if the closer they got to judgment, the more evil they
became or the more certain the judgment had to be. Just a thought to ponder. Note it is also interesting that this
phrase did evil is not found in 1 and 2 Samuel. Could it be that the reason
is that the leaders were godly men like Samuel and David? Note also that the
evil began with Baalim (plural) but progressed to the point documented in
Judges 10:6 (note)! If you are not
overcoming temptations then the world is overcoming you. The worst enemy one
has to overcome after all is one's self. Once again Israel would
learn the truth of Jn 8:34...
Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say
to you, everyone who commits (present
tense = habitually) sin
is (present
tense = continually)
the slave of sin.
(Similarly Peter speaking of the false
teachers who are always) 19 promising them (their deceived victims who
accept the false teaching) freedom while they themselves are slaves of
corruption; for by what a man is overcome (hettao = overcome in battle,
defeated in a conflict or contest - one over whom mastery has been gained.
The
perfect tense
= speaks of permanence of their condition), by this he is enslaved (perfect
tense = speaks of
permanence of this condition). (see note
2 Peter 1:19)
One of Satan's greatest lies is that sin is
liberating. "Try it you'll like it"
D L Moody once quipped that...
"I had rather have 10,000 enemies outside than one inside."
AFTER EHUD DIED
(cp notes
Judges 2:18;
2:19):
When did they do evil?
The land had rest for eighty years, which should have confirmed them in
their religion; but it made them secure, and they began to indulge their
lusts. The prosperity of fools destroys them.
REFORMATION
vs
REVIVAL
Israel as portrayed in the Book of Judges illustrates the difference between
“religious reformation” and “spiritual revival.”
Reformation temporarily
changes outward conduct while revival permanently alters inward character.
When Ehud removed the idols and commanded the people to worship only
Jehovah, they obeyed him; but when that constraint was removed, the people
obeyed their own desires. The nation of Israel was like the man in Jesus’
parable who got rid of one demon, cleaned house, and then ended up with
seven worse demons (Mt 12:43-45).
The empty heart is prey to every form of
evil. Davis
comments on the efficacy of Ehud as a "savior" writing that...
Ehud, sorry to say, is not a totally
adequate savior, for though Yahweh brings a certain kind of salvation and
help through Ehud, nothing Ehud did could change the hearts of Israel. He
may have exerted some beneficial influence on them while he lived (note
Judges 4,
cf. notes
Judges
2:17,
Judges
2:19), but he could not release Israel from the bondage of sin
or rip the idols out of their hearts. Here is the tragedy of the people of
God — slavery to sin (“again did evil”) — and no left–handed savior
spilling the guts of foreign kings can release you from that bondage.
Helplessness indeed. As noted before, it is what the apostle called
being “under sin” (see note
Romans 3:9). Note: not sins but sin. Sin is not
merely, or primarily, act but power. Being “under sin” is to be held in
its clutches, bound by its chain (see the exposition of Judges
2:19). (Ralph
Davis Judges: Such a Great Salvation - Focus on the Bible) (Bolding added)
The drama of Judges 4-5 might be
subtitled...
“Two Are Better than One,
and Three Are
Better Still”
The cast of characters in this drama is as follows:
Jabin: King of Hazor in Canaan; a tyrant
Deborah: a Jewish judge; a woman of faith and courage
Barak: a reluctant Jewish general
Sisera: captain of Jabin’s army
Heber: a Kenite neighbor, at peace with Jabin
Jael: wife of Heber; handy with a hammer
Jehovah God: in charge of wars and weather
Now let the drama unfold. |
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Judges 4:2 And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin
king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor; and the commander of his army was
Sisera, who lived in Harosheth-hagoyim. |
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AND THE LORD SOLD
(pictures transferring "ownership" and control to) THEM (2:14,15 10:7)
INTO THE HAND OF JABIN (Jos11:1) KING OF CANAAN, WHO REIGNED IN HAZOR
(8-10 mi N of Sea of Galilee):
Hazor - located
north of the Sea of Galilee at the south end of the
Hulah Valley,
a strategic city along the Via Maris (Way of the Sea), which was the most
important trade route of ancient times.
Hazor (means enclosed;
fortified) was a stronghold of the Canaanites in the mountains north of
Lake Merom (Josh.
11:1-5). Jabin the king with his allied
tribes here encountered Joshua in a great battle. Joshua gained a signal
victory, which virtually completed his conquest of Canaan (Joshua
11:10-13). (Ed note: Although Joshua
had destroyed Hazor, Israel failed to occupy it and the Canaanites returned)
This city was afterwards rebuilt by the Canaanites, and was ruled by a
king with the same hereditary name of Jabin. His army, under a noted
leader of the name of Sisera, swept down upon the south, aiming at the
complete subjugation of the country. This powerful army was met by the
Israelites under Barak, who went forth by the advice of the prophetess
Deborah. The result was one of the most remarkable victories for Israel
recorded in the Old Testament (Josh.
19:36; Judg. 4:2; 1Sa 12:9).
The city of Hazor was taken
and occupied by the Israelites. It was fortified by Solomon to defend the
entrance into the kingdom from Syria and Assyria.
When Tiglath-pileser, the Assyrian
king, invaded the land, this was one of the first cities he captured,
carrying its inhabitants captive into Assyria (2
Kings 15:29). It has been identified with
Khurbet Harrah, 2 1/2 miles south-east of Kedesh.
(see
Hazor)
About 200 years
earlier the Lord had freed Israel from slavery in Egypt. Now, in contrast,
He sold them into the hands of the Canaanites as punishment for their sins
(cf. see notes
Judges 2:14;
3:8; 1Sa 12:9).
The term Canaanite often refers to all non-Jews living west of the Jordan
but here the focus is on a northern coalition of Canaanites united under
Jabin. Under the leadership of Joshua, Israel had conquered and burned Hazor
and killed "Jabin" about 100-150 years earlier (Jos 11:1-13). The city had been
rebuilt by the Canaanites and regained its previous strategic dominance over
the whole region of Galilee. Why? Because they did not drive them out and
utterly destroy (Dt 7:2, 12:2, 20:17, Jos 11:20) them (cp notes
Judges 1:27;
28;
29;
30;
31;
32;
33). Another
Jabin now ruled (probably this name was used like "Abimelech" as a
hereditary title). Hazor has been confirmed archaeologically to have been an
important city in Canaanite times.
How Depraved
Were the Canaanites?
The Canaanites far surpassed all of their contemporaries in lust, cruelty,
and degrading spiritual practices. Their religion consisted of adoration of
the planets and worship of a pantheon of gods, El being the supreme deity
(note that Satan loves to counterfeit the truth for El is the name of our
majestic triune God, Elohim [the plural of El]). Baal was the chief underling of El and overlord of the lesser gods in the
pantheon. Baal was identified as the god of rain and the storm, whose voice
rode the heavens on wings of the thunderclaps (cp the truth in Ps 104:3 -
Spurgeon's note). His images depicted him
holding a thunderbolt shaped into a spear. Their circle of gods also
contained female figures. Astarte,
Asherah, and Anath were believed to
possess the power to change their gender as the occasion dictated.
Without spelling out sensual details, it must be noted that this grouping of
Canaanite gods and goddesses promoted the most detestable sexual excesses.
Promiscuity, incest, and nudity were all glorified among the gods of Canaan.
Sacred prostitution and sodomy were also prominent in the licentious
practices of these false deities.
Canaanite worship can only be characterized as a gross perversion of
everything sacred to true people of God. One can, therefore, easily
understand why God commanded Israel to drive out and utterly destroy the
Canaanites—an act frequently condemned by liberals. How many times have you
heard "The God of the OT is a God of wrath, of vengeance or anger?". In
reality, it was an act of mercy for God was attempting to spare His
people Israel the agonies they would, unfortunately choose to suffer,
because they could not resist the temptation.
There is a powerful lesson for all believers of all ages - compromise with
God's enemies soon evolves to becoming comfortable with their evil
practices. Things that previously would have been revolting at just the
mention, become "strange bedfellows" with those who have accommodated and
rationalized their sin (there is nothing rational about sin!)
When we apply these facts to our present easy attitude toward sin and its
consequences, we soon recognize the need for an immediate shift in our
thinking. Many of the current movements, which take an almost flippant
attitude toward conduct frowned upon in Scripture, are doing modern
Christians a grave disservice. Catchphrases that promise effortlessly to
restore the errant believer to a place of blessing are a delusion. Sin in
any form is an offense to God. To call this to the attention of believers is
not to engage in sanctimonious legalism. It is a warning that must be
sounded. We must develop a sensitivity to sin and acquire a new appreciation
of the need for true holiness in life. This beloved is the essence of true
revival.
AND THE COMMANDER OF HIS ARMY WAS SISERA, WHO LIVED IN HAROSHETH-HAGOYIM
("woodland of the gentiles"):
Harosheth Haggoyim (Harosheth of the Gentiles) (cf. notes
Judges 4:13;
4:16) sometimes
identified with Tell el-Amar located by a narrow gorge where the Kishon
River enters the Plain of Acre about 10 mi NW of Megiddo in the Galilee. (See
topics
Harosheth Haggoyim
•
Harosheth of the Gentiles
•
Harosheth, Of The Gentiles, Of The Nations)
Through the brilliant help of Jabin's general, Sisera, Jabin exercised
military control over at least 6 of the northern tribes.
Sisera pushed
down from Hazor 8 mi N of the Sea of Galilee to occupy the Plain of
Esdraelon (the Hebrew name is the Valley of Jezreel - see
•
Esdraelon •
Esdraelon, Plain), a strategic
and fertile valley in the central portion of Israel.
Note this new oppression was not brought about by a foreign invasion
(external enemies) as the previous one had been but was instigated by the
very Canaanites (internal enemies) whom the Israelites had failed to expel
from the land (see notes
Judges 1:30;
31;
32;
33). Israel thus continued to reap a bitter fruit from the seeds of disobedience
she had sown by refusing to believe God and thus not utterly destroying the
enemies in the land. First we saw C-R from Mesopotamia, then the enemy came
closer in Eglon from Moab (and actually in their land near Jericho) and now
the enemy arises from WITHIN! Like James exhorts us in regard to the
deceitfulness of sin "Don't be deceived beloved brethren"! (Ja 1:16). The
writer of Hebrews exhorts us to...
encourage
(present
imperative =
continually - which must mean we are each in continual "need" of
encouragement! Are you a discourager or an encourager beloved?) one another
day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," lest any one of you be
hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. (See note
Hebrews 3:13)
(Comment: The "what" of sin? The deceitfulness - mark it down when a person
is deceived, by definition they are not even aware that they are deceived!
And such is the nature of the deluding venom of sin! Beware!)
Apply this to your personal life.
Remember these things were written as examples for our instruction upon whom
the end of the ages has come (1Cor 10:6, 11). Therefore let him who thinks
he stands take heed lest he fall.
6 Now these things happened as
examples for us, that we should not crave evil things, as they also craved.
7 And do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, "THE
PEOPLE SAT DOWN TO EAT AND DRINK, AND STOOD UP TO PLAY."
8 Nor let us act immorally, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand
fell in one day.
9 Nor let us try the Lord, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the
serpents.
10 Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer.
11 Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written
for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
12 Therefore (term
of conclusion)
let him who thinks he stands (Pr 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, And
a haughty spirit before stumbling. Remember one of your best tools in
interpreting Scripture is the Scripture - therefore learn to use the
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge [many more cross
references than those in your Bible margin] compare Scripture with Scripture)
take heed
(present
imperative =
continually - which must mean we are each in continual "need" of being on
the lookout!) lest he fall. |
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Judges 4:3 And the sons of Israel cried to the LORD; for
he had nine hundred iron chariots, and he oppressed the sons of Israel
severely for twenty years. |
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AND THE SONS OF ISRAEL CRIED TO THE LORD:
As in the previous times of distress
when Israel
called on the Lord there was no evidence of genuine repentance for her sin.
Israel was like the passengers on an airplane that suddenly lost engine
power and began to cry out to God for help.
It is interesting that
despite the plethora of so-called gods, in "crunch time" Israel cried out to
the One God, Jehovah. This implies that deep inside they knew their
so-called gods were not really God and had no power to save. It also shows
how if men will not serve the One God, they are still so constituted that
they must worship and will resort to gods of their own imagination to
satisfy this deep inner need.
It's true of all of us - we have been created with a "God shaped vacuum" and
if we will not worship the One True God, we will worship the god of self, of
money, of power, etc. These latter gods make no moral demands per se on us
and thus we can do as we please, doing whatever seems right in our own eyes.
And so we conclude that much of the modern world like ancient Israel is in
effect "polytheistic", the only difference being that the modern
gods have different names.
FOR HE HAD NINE HUNDRED IRON CHARIOTS:
Fruchtenbaum
notes that...
The mention of nine hundred chariots is
not out of character for, in the inscriptions of Thutmose III, he states
that he captured nine hundred twenty-four chariots from the Canaanites in
the Battle of Megiddo, and Megiddo plays a role in the battle of Judges as
recorded in chapters 4 and 5. (Fruchtenbaum,
A. G. Judges and Ruth: Ariel's Bible Commentary) The military position
of Israel was nothing short of appalling = out-manned, out-gunned,
out-positioned!
Humanly speaking Israel's lot was
hopeless and helpless (cf the status of sinners in note on
Romans 5:6
"while we were still helpless"). A nation without arms (see note
Judges 5:8) was indeed
"helpless" before a nation armed to the teeth. But Israel's real problem was
not military but spiritual. Their real need was not an iron
smelter but a living faith in Jehovah God. So in the face of
this militarily impossible situation God does not raise up an Othniel or
Ehud but a woman. Naturally speaking it was the last place Israel would have
expected help from. Where were
the men? Where are the men today? Who is usually involved in serious Bible
study in America? Is it the men?
No, sadly for the most part, it is the women. There is nothing wrong with
the latter, but there is much wrong with the former deficit. Men, if you're
too busy for serious Bible study, you are too busy period! And
we are not talking about touchy, feely "manhood" studies. The pure milk
of the Word is a man's basic need, not studies filled with psychological
pabulum (baby food - which Webster defines as that which is insipid,
simplistic, or bland) and/or humanistic aphorisms. Man does not live by
bread (or stock portfolios, or lake houses, or sailboats, etc) but by every
(how many?) Word that proceeds from the mouth of God - This is the
Scriptural truth (Deut 8:3, Mt 4:4, Luke 4:4, Job 23:12, Jeremiah 15:16, see
Psalm 1:2-3 for God's formula for genuine success in this short, fleeting
life that is given to prepare us for eternity, not as a hiatus for holiness)
AND HE OPPRESSED THE SONS OF ISRAEL SEVERELY FOR TWENTY YEARS:
As Fruchtenbaum rightly
observes...
On the human side, the Canaanite ability
to oppress Israel for so long was due to their chariot strength. On the
divine side, it was God’s discipline due to Israel’s apostasy. (Fruchtenbaum,
A. G. Judges and Ruth: Ariel's Bible Commentary)
ISRAEL’S FAILURE TO BELIEVE and obey God created a slowly festering sore on
the anatomy of the nation. Have you ever had an insect bite that you
scratched and it became infected? And the red margin of infection begin to
slowly, imperceptibly spread outward to the point that others begin to see
what you had ignored? And then you needed a course of systemic antibiotics
to cure the infection!
Israel would ultimately fall beneath the weight of
a canker that they had allowed to become far too large and painful to excise
with their own hands. Sin is deceptive. The inhabitants of the land, whose presence among them
seemed inconsequential at the beginning, soon produced Jabin, Sisera, and
900 chariots of iron. Consequently, the children of Israel found themselves
terrorized, oppressed, and faced with 20 years of debilitating servitude.
What "Jabin, Sisera or 900 chariots of
iron" has God allowed to fester in your spiritual life beloved because
of bad choices and/or failure to obey Him? It's time to
cry out to Jehovah, but don't imitate Israel in the transience of their
return to Him. Instead, cry out for revival even as did the Psalmist (who
from the nature of his writing was undoubtedly one of the best men around...
and yet he found it necessary to cry out for revival! You have not because
you ask not beloved. Ask and it shall be given but ask in faith without any
doubting. Don't be like the man who "buried the hatchet" of discord with a
friend in the back yard and left the handle above the ground in case he
needed it again! Cry out for the divine gift of genuine repentance and
revival from the only One capable of
giving it...
Psalm 119:25
My soul cleaves** (sticks like glue is the picture) to the dust.
Revive me (bring spiritual life again) according to Thy Word.
(Read
Spurgeon's Note - good fodder for the soul)
What is associated with genuine revival?
Clearly it is the Word of Life and Truth. It is not some emotional high but
it is God in us working and willing to His good pleasure (see notes
Philippians 2:12;
2:13), even stimulating a
heart hunger for His truth, whereby we might live again. When you experience
physical hunger, you usually satisfy it at the first opportunity. Do the
same when God sends this spiritual hunger. Don't procrastinate and say I'll
get into His Word tomorrow. I'll join a serious Bible study next month or
next semester. Today is the day of your salvation (present tense salvation
[see
Three Tenses of Salvation] -
ongoing day to day salvation whereby we are gradually, continually being set
apart by the Spirit from the profane world and unto God and for His use and
glory.) And how does it happen? The intake of His Word is central, so don't
delay another day beloved. Consider joining a serious Bible Study. Men's
(Women's) Bible Study Fellowship (Welcome
to BSF), which is the
"vehicle" God used to save me some 25 years ago as I studied in the Minor
Prophets (Jesus is on every page of the Scripture)! After BSF I was
introduced to
Precept Ministries International
which God first used to save my marriage (which he supernaturally revived
through the study of Covenant - see
Covenant As It Relates to Marriage)
and then used over the next 15+ years to prepare me for the ministry you are
reading on this website. There is a gross misconception that
Precept Ministries International
Bible studies are only for women
but that is not correct. They are for all saints and have as their primary
objective the making and maturing disciples. In my opinion Precept
Ministries'
inductive Bible studies are without peer as a
tool which the Spirit can use to edify and equip saints who are "created in
Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should
walk in them." (see note
Ephesians 2:10).
But I don't want to mislead you...inductive
Bible study is
difficult work (more work than BSF but a great follow up
to BSF - yes, there is "life" after BSF!), but the reward is simply
incalculable as eternity future will clearly testify. Try a sample by
downloading lesson one of Judges (download
pdf)
**Note on cleave (from
Spurgeon's Notes)
- The Hebrew word for "cleaveth" signifies "is joined," "has adhered," "has
overtaken," "has taken hold," "has joined itself." Our soul is a polypus (cf
octopus with powerful suckers): as the polypus readily adheres to the rocks,
so does the soul cleave to the earth; and hardly can it be torn from the
place to which it has once strongly attached itself. Though thy soul be now
more perfect, and escaping from the waters of sin has become a bird of
heaven, be not careless; earthly things are birdlime and glue; if you rub
the wings against these thou wilt be held, and joined to the earth. Thomas
Le Blanc.
SPURGEON'S SERMON NOTES
PSALM 119:25
1. There are many reasons why we should seek
quickening.
(a) Because of the deadening influence of the
world. "Thy
soul cleaveth," etc.
(b) The influence of vanity (see
Psalms 119:37).
(c) Because we are surrounded by deceivers (see
Psalms 119:87-88).
(d) Because of the effect of seasons of affliction
upon us (see
Psalms 119:7).
2. Some of the motives for seeking quickening.
(a) Because of what you are -- a
Christian; life seeks more
life.
(b) Because of what you ought to
be.
(c) Because of what we shall be.
(d) In order to obedience (see
Psalms 119:88).
(e) For your comfort (Psalms
119:107,50).
(f) As the best security against the attacks of
enemies ( Psalms
119:87-88).
(g) To invigorate our memories ( Psalms
119:93).
(h) Consider (as a motive to seek this quickening) the
terrible consequences of losing spiritual life; or, in other words, lacking
it in its manifest display.
3. Some of the ways in which the quickening may be
brought to us.
(a) It must be by the Lord himself.
"Quicken me, O Lord."
(b) By the turning of the eyes (Psalms
119:37).
(c) By the word (Psalms
119:50).
(d) By the precepts (Psalms
119:93).
(e) By affliction (Psalms
119:107).
(f) By divine comforts.
4. Enquire where are our pleas when we come before God
to ask for quickening.
(a) Our necessity (Psalms
119:107, etc.)
(b) Our earnest desire (Psalms
119:40).
(c) Appeal to God's righteousness ( Psalms
119:40).
(d) To his lovingkindness ( Psalms
119:88,149,156).
(e) The plea in the text: "according to thy word" ( Psalms
119:28,107).
See Spurgeon's Sermon No. 1350:
Enlivening and Invigorating - Psalm
119:25 - opens Pdf
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Judges 4:4 Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of
Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time. |
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NOW DEBORAH A
PROPHETESS THE WIFE OF LAPPIDOTH ("lamps"):
A prophetess -
Hebrew is literally "a woman of prophecy", the same description that was
given to Miriam (Ex 15:20 and Huldah (2 Kings 22:14). This extraordinary
woman came into prominence when the men of Israel were paralyzed by fear.
(Isa 3:12). As a prophetess she received Word from God and proclaimed it to
Barak (v6-7). Deborah was a wife and mother - Scripture does not say that Lappidoth was the "husband of Deborah" but just the opposite, because this
has always been God's order. She was judge, joining only one other person
said to be both prophet and judge (Samuel).
Prophetess. Homemaker. Judge.
Leader (mother in Israel) (see note
Judges 5:7).
When the leader (and leaders when Barak
obeyed God's command) arose, the people volunteered to battle the enemy
against all odds (see note
Judges 5:2).
LORD God give us Deborahs and Baraks in these dark declining days of America's moral apathy
and apostasy and
inevitable coming anarchy so that the people would "volunteer" and would be
revived and take back the land given over to the enemy. Amen.
Deborah's name means
"bee" or "wasp" and as one Hebrew scholar wrote "Deborah was a bee in peace and a
wasp in war!"
Deborah held three positions of leadership in Israel. She was
a judge (only woman judge ever noted); she was a military leader in a
successful campaign against the Canaanites; and she was a prophetess who
delivered God's word to Barak.
This extraordinary woman seems to have come
into prominence at a time when the men of Israel were paralyzed by fear. She
inspired Barak to pursue God's plan, leading him into battle. God has raised
up women in history for these unique opportunities of inspiration and
leadership (see note
Judges 5:12).
WAS JUDGING ISRAEL AT THAT TIME: (participle of shaphat expresses the
permanence of the act of judging)
Deborah was clearly a
most remarkable woman, to be accepted as judge of Israel at this low ebb in
the nation's history. As far as is known, no other woman was ever so
honored. Furthermore, she was a true "prophetess," a position accorded to
only four other women named in the Bible [contrast the great number of men
recognized therein as prophets]:
2Chr 34:22, Neh 6:14, Isa 8:3, Lu 2:36, Acts 21:9, see
note
Revelation 2:20 Miriam
(Ex 15:20)
Huldah (2Ki 22:14)
Wife of Isaiah the prophet (Isa 8:3)
Anna (Lu 2:36).
However, just as there
were many false prophets, so two false prophetesses are mentioned Noadiah
(Neh 6:14)
Jezebel (see note
Revelation 2:20).
Someone has said there are only 3 kinds of people --
(1) Those who watch what is happening
(2) Those who make things happen
(3) Those who scratch their heads and ask "What's happening?
Deborah was type #2!
Harry Truman said...
Leadership is the ability to get men to do what they don't want to do and
like it. |
|
**************************
Judges 4.4
G Campbell Morgan
Now Deborah, a
prophetess .. . she judged Israel at that time. Judges 4.4
In the light of subsequent Jewish prejudice against women as leaders, the
story of Deborah is full of interest, as it reveals the fact that there
never was any such prejudice in the mind of God. Whereas motherhood in all
the sanctity and beauty of that great word, is the special function and
glory of womanhood, yet when a woman is specially gifted for the exercise of
prophetic and administrative work, she is not barred by any Divine law from
such work.
Deborah was a prophetess in the full sense of that word; that is,
she was the inspired mouthpiece of the Word of God to her people.
She also
judged Israel and whatever that meant in the case of the men who exercised
that office, it also meant in her case.
She was a saviour, a
deliverer; she
administered the affairs of the people, and led them out of the
circumstances of difficulty into which their sin had brought them.
One can imagine how
this daughter of her people, true child of faith, had suffered under the
consciousness of the degradation of the people.
There is a touch of
poetry and romance in the story which is full of fascination. Ever and anon
in the long history of God's patient dealing with men, we find Him raising
up some woman to lead, to guide, to inspire; and always there is this same
element of enthusiasm and force.
The one great
message of the story seems to be that it warns us to take heed that we do
not imagine ourselves to be wiser than God. When He calls and equips a woman
to high service, let us beware lest we dishonour Him by refusing to
recognize her, or co-operate with her. (Morgan, G. C. Life Applications
from Every Chapter of the Bible) (Bolding added) |
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Judges 4:5 And she used to sit under the palm tree of
Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim; and the
sons of Israel came up to her for judgment. |
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IN THE HILL COUNTRY OF EPHRAIM: probably
some 8 mi N of Jeursalem.
AND THE SONS OF ISRAEL CAME UP TO HER FOR JUDGMENT (verdicts).
Fruchtenbaum points out that...
They were not coming to her asking her to
save Israel from the enemy; they were coming to her asking her to solve
their legal disputes. They were asking for divine answers to their cries,
which are described in the following verses. They came to her because she
was a prophetess, not because she was a judge. This shows that people had
lost confidence in the priesthood to provide spiritual direction and
answers. So while she was in the role of a judge in the traditional sense of
settling disputes, in their specific case they did not come to her merely to
settle their legal disputes between fellow Israelites, but they also came
asking for divine answers, because they recognized her to be a prophetess.
Again, this shows that instead of going to the priesthood to receive a
divine answer, they went to her. (Fruchtenbaum,
A. G. Judges and Ruth: Ariel's Bible Commentary) |
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Judges 4:6 Now she sent and summoned Barak the son of
Abinoam from Kedesh-naphtali, and said to him, "Behold, the LORD, the God of
Israel, has commanded, 'Go and march to Mount Tabor, and take with you ten
thousand men from the sons of Naphtali and from the sons of Zebulun. |
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NOW SHE SENT AND
SUMMONED BARAK THE SON OF ABINOAM:
God could have
destroyed the enemy with one blow but He worked thru 3 human beings to
accomplish His will, 3 willing (even through Barak initially hesitated) and
available individuals, both strong and weak, well-known and obscure.
God uses people like
Austin Gallaher, a young man whose name few people would even recognize
today. He saved a young Abraham Lincoln from drowning in a creek. Today God
still uses Jael's and Austin Gallahers to accomplish His purposes. Are you
willing and available to be God's vessel? (see notes
2 Timothy 2:21;
2:22).
FROM KEDESH-NAPHTALI (means sacred place/sanctuary + Naphtali = wrestler):
One possible location
of Kedesh in Naphtali, was the city of refuge (Joshua 20:7), usually identified
as Tel Qedesh, 5 mi W by NW of Lake Huleh (now drained but then just N of
Sea of Galilee). An alternate site, and in my opinion more likely site for
the Kedesh referred to in this context is Khirbet el-Kidish on the eastern
edge of the Jabneel Valley, about a mile from the SW shore of the Sea of
Galilee. This "Kedesh" is more closely located to Mt Tabor where the army of
Israel was mustered by Barak. So at this time Barak was about ~60 miles N of
the palm tree of Deborah in central Israel.
AND SAID TO HIM BEHOLD, THE LORD, THE GOD OF ISRAEL, HAS COMMANDED GO AND
MARCH TO MOUNT TABOR (Ps 89:12; Hosea 5:1):
Mt Tabor is a conical
(See
picture and interesting description) Mt Tabor
(see
another picture and description) rises to 1,350 feet above the plain in turn 400' above Med
Sea and was strategically located at the juncture of the tribes of Naphtali,
Zebulun, and Issachar in the northeast part of the Jezreel Valley.
This conical symmetrical
mound of limestone is in the NE of plain of Esdraelon (the Hebrew name is
the Valley of Jezreel - see •
Esdraelon •
Esdraelon, Plain =
Jezreel assigned to Zebulun and
Issachar [Joshua 19:10-23] from Med Sea > Jordan R at Beth-Shean includes Plain of
Megiddo in E and Jezreel in W) ~ 6 mi E of Nazareth. N slope covered w oak
trees
Barak gathered his forces on Tabor and descended to plain conquering Sisera
on banks of Kishon (see notes
Judges 4:6-15). Here the brothers of Gideon were slain by Zebah and Zalmunna (see
notes
Judges 8:18;
8:19).
AND TAKE WITH YOU TEN THOUSAND MEN FROM THE SONS OF NAPHTALI (Joshua 21:32,
see note
Judges 5:18)
AND FROM THE SONS OF ZEBULUN
Take a moment and "get your bearing"
regarding the geographical locations by clicking the map below - it will
help "bring alive" some of these places as you read through the chapter.
(After enlarging the map you
may need to resize it for better resolution).
Naphtali (see
Naphtali •
Naphtali, Mount •
Naphtali, Tribe of)
had the territory east of sea of Galilee and north of the territory of the
tribe of Zebulun (see map below)
Zebulun (see
Zebulonite •
Zebulun •
Zebulun, Lot of •
Zebulun, Tribe of)
territory east of sea of Galilee and north of the territory of the tribe of
Issachar. (see map below)
Valley of Jezreel (see
Jezreel •
Jezreel Valley •
Jezreel, Valley of)
(not named on the map but in the vicinity of Megiddo which is shown), where
the crucial battle was to occur
Plain of Esdraelon = Hebrew name
for the Valley of Jezreel (see
Esdraelon •
Esdraelon, Plain).
On this map don't be confused by the
designation of the origin of Deborah, for most of the action described in
Judges 4-5 occurs just to the West of the Sea of Galilee.
This map also has two other locations
which are key to interpreting Judges 4-5...
Kishon River (look just to the
west of Zebulun and next to Mt Carmel) (see
Kishon)
Mt Tabor (look at the northern
boundary of Issachar, as it interfaces with Zebulun) (See
picture and interesting description of Mt Tabor)
(see
another picture and description of Mt Tabor) rises to 1,350 feet above the plain and was strategically located at the juncture of the tribes of
Naphtali,
Zebulun, and Issachar in the northeast part of the Jezreel Valley.
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 |
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Location of Judges
and
Boundaries of the 12 Tribes
Click to enlarge |
BARAK—THE FACELESS
Comes Jabin like a foul plague
To smite the chosen seed,
And with him noxious Sisera
To consummate the deed.
Great chariots of iron roll,
Nine hundred by the count,
To turn Esdraelon’s comely plain
Into a bloody fount.
Far up on Tabor’s wooded slope
Waits Barak and his host.
A man quite ill equipped, it seems,
To stand a warrior’s post.
But this man holds the surest sword
God’s foes to recompense.
The tempered, twin-edged,
Heaven-forged blades—
FAITH and OBEDIENCE. |
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Judges 4:7 'And I will draw out to you Sisera, the
commander of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his many troops to the
river Kishon; and I will give him into your hand.'" |
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AND I WILL DRAW OUT TO YOU SISERA THE COMMANDER OF JABIN'S
ARMY WITH HIS CHARIOTS AND HIS MANY TROOPS TO THE RIVER KISHON (Flows
thru Jezreel V, N of Mt Carmel- 5:21,1Ki 18:40, Ps 83:9)
Draw out (masak)
is used of exertion and means to drag or to pull. The NIV and NLT render it
as "lure" but "lure" implies a hint of trickery by offering some pleasure or
gain and this is overstating the case. God does not need to entice people.
Somehow He simply draws Sisera pointing of course to the Lord's sovereign
control of people, places and events. He orchestrates the battle by leading
Sisera's forces to their doom. Note how God gives men responsibility in but
it is God's sovereign power that works out the plan of salvation of Israel
from their enemies (cp notes
Philippians 2:12;
2:13).
The
Divine call is always accompanied by His Divine provision.
AND I WILL GIVE HIM (see note
Judges 4:14, Joshua 8:7, 10:8, 11:6) INTO YOUR HAND:
Give (Hebrew -
nathan) is translated in the
Septuagint (LXX)
with the Greek verb
paradidomi (see word study)
which signifies the giving
of one over of someone or some thing to the power of another (see uses in
notes on
Romans 1:24;
Romans 1:26;
and
Romans 1:28
where those who suppress
and exchange the truth about God are given over respectively to the "lusts
of their hearts", "degrading passions" and "a depraved mind"! Jabin and
Sisera were God rejecters who reaped the wages of their rejection of their
Creator.) This is a frequent idiom in the OT (click
other OT uses), signifying the
giving of someone over to the power of another.
THE RIVER KISHON - is a stream
that flows through the valley of Jezreel (means God scatters!
See picture and description
or
Here for nice description)
The River Kishon is located at the western end of the Valley of
Jezreel. Mount Tabor, where Barak and Israel mustered, was at the
eastern end of the same valley. |
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