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:

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.

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.

(b) The influence of vanity (see Psalms 119:37).

(c) Because we are surrounded by deceivers (see Psalms 119:87-88).

(d) In order to obedience (see Psalms 119:88).

3. Some of the ways in which the quickening may be brought to us.

(b) By the turning of the eyes (Psalms 119:37).

(b) Our earnest desire (Psalms 119:40).

(e) The plea in the text: "according to thy word" (Psalms 119:28,107).

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...

**************************
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.

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...

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.

BARAK—THE FACELESS

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.