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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1708)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>J U D G E S</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. V.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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This chapter contains the triumphal song which was composed and sung
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upon occasion of that glorious victory which Israel obtained over the
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forces of Jabin king of Canaan and the happy consequences of that
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victory. Probably it was usual then to publish poems upon such
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occasions, as now; but this only is preserved of all the poems of that
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age of the judges, because dictated by Deborah a prophetess, designed
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for a psalm of praise then, and a pattern of praise to after-ages, and
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it gives a great deal of light to the history of these times.
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I. It begins with praise to God,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:2,3">ver. 2, 3</A>.
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II. The substance of this song transmits the memory of this great
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achievement.
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1. Comparing God's appearances for them on this occasion with his
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appearances to them on Mount Sinai,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:4,5">ver. 4, 5</A>.
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2. Magnifying their deliverance from the consideration of the
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calamitous condition they had been in,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:6-8">ver. 6-8</A>.
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3. Calling those to join in praise that shared in the benefits of the
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success,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:9-13">ver. 9-13</A>.
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4. Reflecting honour upon those tribes that were forward and active
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in that war, and disgrace on those that declined the service,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:14-19,23">ver. 14-19, 23</A>.
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5. Taking notice how God himself fought for them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:20-22">ver. 20-22</A>.
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6. Celebrating particularly the honour of Jael, that slew Sisera, on
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which head the song is very large,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:24-30">ver. 24-30</A>.
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It concludes with a prayer to God,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:31">ver. 31</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Jud5_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jud5_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jud5_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jud5_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jud5_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Song of Deborah and Barak.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1285.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day,
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saying,
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2 Praise ye the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> for the avenging of Israel, when the
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people willingly offered themselves.
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3 Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, <I>even</I> I, will
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sing unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>; I will sing <I>praise</I> to the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> God of
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Israel.
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4 L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, when thou wentest out of Seir, when thou marchedst out
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of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heavens
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dropped, the clouds also dropped water.
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5 The mountains melted from before the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, <I>even</I> that Sinai
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from before the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> God of Israel.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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The former chapter let us know what great things God had done for
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Israel; in this we have the thankful returns they made to God, that all
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ages of the church might learn that work of heaven to praise God.</P>
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<P>
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I. God is praised by a song, which is,
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1. A very natural expression of rejoicing. <I>Is any merry? Let him
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sing;</I> and holy joy is the very soul and root of praise and
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thanksgiving. God is pleased to reckon himself glorified by our joy in
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him, and in his wondrous works. His servants' joy is his delight, and
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their sons are melody to him.
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2. A very proper expedient for spreading the knowledge and
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perpetuating the remembrance of great events. Neighbours would learn
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this song one of another and children of their parents; and by that
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means those who had not books, or could not read, yet would be made
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acquainted with these works of God; and <I>one generation</I> would
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thus <I>praise God's works to another,</I> and <I>declare his mighty
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acts,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+145:4">Ps. cxlv. 4</A>,
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&c.</P>
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<P>
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II. Deborah herself penned this song, as appears by
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>:
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<I>Till I Deborah arose.</I> And the first words should be rendered,
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<I>Then she sang, even Deborah.</I>
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1. She used her gifts as a prophetess in composing the song, and the
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strain throughout is very fine and lofty, the images are lively, the
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expressions elegant, and an admirable mixture there is in it of
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sweetness and majesty. No poetry is comparable to the sacred poetry.
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And,
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2. We may supposed she used her power as a princess, in obliging the
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conquering army of Israel to learn and sing this son. She expects not
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that they should, by their poems, celebrate her praises and magnify
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here, but requires that in this poem they should join with her in
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celebrating God's praises and magnifying him. She had been the first
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wheel in the action, and now is so in the thanksgiving.</P>
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<P>
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III. It was sung on that day, not the very day that the fight was, but
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on that occasion, and soon after, as soon as a thanksgiving day could
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conveniently be appointed. When we have received mercy from God, we
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ought to be speedy in our returns of praise, while the impressions of
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the mercy are fresh. It is rent to be paid at the day.</P>
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<P>
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1. She begins with a general Hallelujah: <I>Praise</I> (or
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<I>bless,</I> for that is the word) <I>you the Lord,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
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The design of the song is to give glory to God; this therefore is put
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first, to explain and direct all that follows, like the first petition
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of the Lord's prayer, <I>Hallowed be thy name.</I> Two things God is
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here praised for:--
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(1.) The vengeance he took on Israel's enemies, for the avenging of
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Israel upon their proud and cruel oppressors, recompensing into their
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bosoms all the injuries they had done to his people. <I>The Lord is
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known</I> as a righteous God, and the God to whom vengeance belongs
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<I>by the judgments which he executeth.</I>
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(2.) The grace he gave to Israel's friends, <I>when the people
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willingly offered themselves</I> to serve in this war. God is to have
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the glory of all the good offices that are at any time done us; and the
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more willingly they are done the more is to be observed of that grace
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which gives both to will and to do. For these two things she resolves
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to leave this song upon record, to the honour of the everlasting God
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>):
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<I>I, even I, will sing unto the Lord,</I> Jehovah, that God of
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incontestable sovereignty and irresistible power, even to <I>the Lord
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God of Israel,</I> who governs all for the good of the church.</P>
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<P>
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2. She calls to the great ones of the world, that sit at the upper end
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of its table, to attend to her song, and take notice of the subject of
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it: <I>Hear, O you kings! give ear, O you princes!</I>
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(1.) She would have them know that as great and as high as they were
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there was one above them with whom it is folly to contend, and to whom
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it was their interest to submit, that horses and chariots are vain
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things for safety.
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(2.) She would have them to join with her in praising the God of
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Israel, and no longer to praise their counterfeit deities, as
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Belshazzar did.
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+5:4">Dan. v. 4</A>,
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<I>He praised the gods of gold and silver.</I> She bespeaks them as the
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psalmist
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+2:10,11">Ps. ii. 10, 11</A>),
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<I>Be wise now therefore, O you kings! serve the Lord with fear.</I>
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(3.) She would have them take warning by Sisera's fate, and not dare to
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offer any injury to the people of God, whose cause, sooner or later,
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God will plead with jealousy.</P>
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<P>
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3. She looks back upon God's former appearances, and compares this with
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them, the more to magnify the glorious author of this great salvation.
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What God is doing should bring to our mind what he has done; for he is
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the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>):
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<I>Lord, when thou wentest our of Seir.</I> This may be understood
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either,
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(1.) Of the appearances of God's power and justice against the enemies
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of Israel to subdue and conquer them; and so
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Hab+3:3,4">Hab. iii. 3, 4</A>,
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&c., is parallel to it,
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where the destruction of the church's enemies is thus described. When
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God had led his people Israel from the country of Edom he brought down
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under their feet Sihon and Og, striking them and their armies with such
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terror and amazement that they seemed apprehensive heaven and earth
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were coming together. Their hearts melted, as if all the world had been
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melting round about them. Or it notes the glorious displays of the
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divine majesty; and the surprising effects of the divine power, enough
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to make the earth tremble, the heavens drop like snow before the sun,
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and the mountains to melt. Compare
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+18:7">Ps. xviii. 7</A>.
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God's counsels are so far from being hindered by any creature that,
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when the time of their accomplishment comes, that which seemed to stand
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in their way will not only yield before them, but be made to serve
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them. See
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+64:1,2">Isa. lxiv. 1, 2</A>.
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Or,
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(2.) It is meant of the appearances of God's glory and majesty to
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Israel, when he gave them his law at Mount Sinai. It was then literally
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true, <I>the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped,</I> &c. Compare
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+33:2,Ps+68:7,8">Deut. xxxiii. 2; Ps. lxviii. 7, 8</A>.
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Let all the kings and princes know that this is the God whom Deborah
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praises, and not such mean and impotent deities as they paid their
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homage to. The Chaldee paraphrase applies it to the giving of the law,
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but has a strange descant on those words, <I>the mountains melted.
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Tabor, Hermon, and Carmel, contended among themselves: one said, Let
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the divine majesty dwell upon me; the other said, Let it dwell upon me;
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but God made it to dwell upon Mount Sinai, the meanest and least of all
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the mountains.</I> I suppose it means the least valuable, because
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barren and rocky.</P>
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<A NAME="Jud5_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jud5_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jud5_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jud5_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jud5_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jud5_11"> </A>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>6 In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael,
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the highways were unoccupied, and the travellers walked through
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byways.
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7 <I>The inhabitants of</I> the villages ceased, they ceased in
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Israel, until that I Deborah arose, that I arose a mother in
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Israel.
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8 They chose new gods; then <I>was</I> war in the gates: was there a
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shield or spear seen among forty thousand in Israel?
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9 My heart <I>is</I> toward the governors of Israel, that offered
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themselves willingly among the people. Bless ye the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
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10 Speak, ye that ride on white asses, ye that sit in judgment,
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and walk by the way.
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11 <I>They that are delivered</I> from the noise of archers in the
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places of drawing water, there shall they rehearse the righteous
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acts of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, <I>even</I> the righteous acts <I>toward the
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inhabitants</I> of his villages in Israel: then shall the people of
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the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> go down to the gates.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Here,
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I. Deborah describes the distressed state of Israel under the tyranny
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of Jabin, that the greatness of their trouble might make their
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salvation appear the more illustrious and the more gracious
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>):
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<I>From the days of Shamgar,</I> who did some thing towards the
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deliverance of Israel from the Philistines, to the days of Jael, the
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present day, in which Jael has so signalized herself, the country has
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been in a manner desolate.
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1. No trade. For want of soldiers to protect men of business in their
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business from the incursions of the enemy, and for want of magistrates
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to restrain and punish thieves and robbers among them (men of broken
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fortunes and desperate spirits, that, having no employment, took to rob
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on the highroad), all commerce ceased, and the highways were
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unoccupied; no caravans of merchants, as formerly.
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2. No travelling. Whereas in times when there was some order and
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government the travellers might be safe in the open roads, and the
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robbers were forced to lurk in the by-ways, no, on the contrary, the
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robbers insulted on the open roads without check, and the honest
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travellers were obliged to sculk and walk through by-ways, in continual
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frights.
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3. No tillage. The fields must needs be laid waste and unoccupied
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when the inhabitants of the villages, the country farmers, ceased from
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their employment, quitted their houses which were continually alarmed
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and plundered by the banditti, and were obliged to take shelter for
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themselves and their families in walled and fenced cities.
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4. No administration of justice. There was war in the gates where
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their courts were kept,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>.
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So that it was not till this salvation was wrought that <I>the people
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of the Lord</I> durst <I>go down to the gates,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
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The continual incursions of the enemy deprived the magistrates of the
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dignity, and the people of the benefit, of their government.
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5. No peace to him that went out nor to him that came in. The gates
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through which they passed and repassed were infested by the enemy; nay,
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the places of drawing water were alarmed by the archers--a mighty
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achievement to terrify the drawers of water.
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6. Neither arms nor spirit to help themselves with, not a <I>shield
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nor spear seen among forty thousand,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:8">v. 8</A>.
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Either they were disarmed by their oppressors, or they themselves
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neglected the art of war; so that, though they had spears and shields,
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they were not to be seen, but were thrown by and suffered to rust, they
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having neither skill nor will to use them.</P>
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<P>
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II. She shows in one word what it was that brought all this misery upon
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them: <I>They chose new gods,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>.
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It was their idolatry that provoked God to give them up thus into the
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hands of their enemies. The Lord their God was one Lord, but this would
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not content them: they must have more, many more, still more. Their God
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was the Ancient of days, still the same, and therefore they grew weary
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of him, and must have new gods, which they were as fond of as children
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of new clothes, names newly invented, heroes newly canonized. Their
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fathers, when put to their choice, chose the Lord for their God
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+24:21">Josh. xxiv. 21</A>),
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but they would not abide by that choice, they must have gods of their
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own choosing.</P>
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<P>
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III. She takes notice of God's great goodness to Israel in raising up
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such as should redress these grievances. Herself first
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>):
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<I>Till that I Deborah arose,</I> to restrain and punish those who
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disturbed the public peace, and protect men in their business, and then
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the face of things was changed for the better quickly; those beasts of
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|
prey retired upon the breaking forth of this joyful light, and <I>man
|
|
went forth again to his work and labour,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+104:22,23">Ps. civ. 22, 23</A>.
|
|
|
|
Thus she became a mother in Israel, a nursing mother, such was the
|
|
affection she bore to her people, and such the care and pains she took
|
|
for the public welfare. Under her there were other governors of Israel
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>),
|
|
|
|
who, like her, had done their part as governors to reform the people,
|
|
and then, like her, offered themselves willingly to serve in the war,
|
|
not insisting upon the exemption which their dignity and office
|
|
entitled them to, when the had so fair an opportunity of appearing in
|
|
their country's cause; and no doubt the example of the governors
|
|
influenced the people in like manner <I>willingly to offer
|
|
themselves,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
Of these governors she says, <I>My heart is towards them,</I> that is,
|
|
"I truly love and honour them; they have won my heart for ever; I shall
|
|
never forget them." Note, Those are worthy of double honour that recede
|
|
voluntarily from the demands of their honour to serve God and his
|
|
church.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
IV. She calls upon those who had a particular share in the advantages
|
|
of this great salvation to offer up particular thanks to God for it,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:10,11"><I>v.</I> 10, 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
Let every man speak as he found of the goodness of God in this happy
|
|
change of the posture of public affairs.
|
|
|
|
1. <I>You that ride on white asses,</I> that is, the nobility and
|
|
gentry. Horses were little used in that county; they had, it is
|
|
probable, a much better breed of asses than we have; but persons of
|
|
quality, it seems, were distinguished by the colour of the asses they
|
|
rode on; the white being more rare were therefore more valued. Notice
|
|
is taken of Abdon's sons and grandsons riding on ass-colts, as
|
|
indicating them to be men of distinction,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+12:14"><I>ch.</I> xii. 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
Let such as are by this salvation restored, not only to their liberty
|
|
as other Israelites, but to their dignity, speak God's praises.
|
|
|
|
2. Let those that <I>sit in judgment</I> be sensible of it, and
|
|
thankful for it as a very great mercy, that they may sit safely there,
|
|
that the sword of justice is not struck out of their hand by the sword
|
|
of war.
|
|
|
|
3. Let those that <I>walk by the way,</I> and meet with none there to
|
|
make them afraid, speak to themselves in pious meditations, and to
|
|
their fellow-travellers in religious discourses, of the goodness of God
|
|
in ridding the roads of those banditti that had so long infested them.
|
|
|
|
4. Let those that draw in peace, and have not their wells taken from
|
|
them, or stopped up, nor are in danger of being caught by the enemy
|
|
when they go forth to draw, there, where they find themselves so much
|
|
more safe and easy than they have been, <I>there let them rehearse the
|
|
acts of the Lord,</I> not Deborah's acts, nor Barak's, but the Lord's,
|
|
taking notice of his hand making peace in their borders, and creating a
|
|
defence upon all the glory. This <I>is the Lord's doing.</I> Observe in
|
|
these acts of his,
|
|
|
|
(1.) Justice executed on his daring enemies. They are the righteous
|
|
acts of the Lord. See him pleading a righteous cause, and sitting in
|
|
the throne judging aright, and give him glory as the Judge of all the
|
|
earth.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Kindness shown to his trembling people, <I>the inhabitants of the
|
|
villages,</I> who lay most open to the enemy, had suffered most, and
|
|
were most in danger,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+38:11">Ezek. xxxviii. 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is the glory of God to protect those that are most exposed, and to
|
|
help the weakest. Let us all take notice of the share we in particular
|
|
have in the public peace and tranquility, the inhabitants of the
|
|
villages especially, and give God the praise of it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Jud5_12"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jud5_13"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jud5_14"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jud5_15"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jud5_16"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jud5_17"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jud5_18"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jud5_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jud5_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jud5_21"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jud5_22"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jud5_23"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>12 Awake, awake, Deborah: awake, awake, utter a song: arise,
|
|
Barak, and lead thy captivity captive, thou son of Abinoam.
|
|
13 Then he made him that remaineth have dominion over the
|
|
nobles among the people: the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> made me have dominion over the
|
|
mighty.
|
|
14 Out of Ephraim <I>was there</I> a root of them against Amalek;
|
|
after thee, Benjamin, among thy people; out of Machir came down
|
|
governors, and out of Zebulun they that handle the pen of the
|
|
writer.
|
|
15 And the princes of Issachar <I>were</I> with Deborah; even
|
|
Issachar, and also Barak: he was sent on foot into the valley.
|
|
For the divisions of Reuben <I>there were</I> great thoughts of heart.
|
|
16 Why abodest thou among the sheepfolds, to hear the bleatings
|
|
of the flocks? For the divisions of Reuben <I>there were</I> great
|
|
searchings of heart.
|
|
17 Gilead abode beyond Jordan: and why did Dan remain in ships?
|
|
Asher continued on the sea shore, and abode in his breaches.
|
|
18 Zebulun and Naphtali <I>were</I> a people <I>that</I> jeoparded their
|
|
lives unto the death in the high places of the field.
|
|
19 The kings came <I>and</I> fought, then fought the kings of Canaan
|
|
in Taanach by the waters of Megiddo; they took no gain of money.
|
|
20 They fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought
|
|
against Sisera.
|
|
21 The river of Kishon swept them away, that ancient river, the
|
|
river Kishon. O my soul, thou hast trodden down strength.
|
|
22 Then were the horsehoofs broken by the means of the
|
|
pransings, the pransings of their mighty ones.
|
|
23 Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, curse ye
|
|
bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the
|
|
help of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, to the help of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> against the mighty.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Here,
|
|
|
|
I. Deborah stirs up herself and Barak to celebrate this victory in the
|
|
most solemn manner, to the glory of God and the honour of Israel, for
|
|
the encouragement of their friends and the greater confusion of their
|
|
enemies,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
1. Deborah, as a prophetess, must do it by a song, to compose and sing
|
|
which she excites herself: <I>Awake, awake,</I> and again, <I>awake,
|
|
awake,</I> which intimates the sense she had of the excellency and
|
|
difficulty of the work; it needed and well deserved the utmost
|
|
liveliness and vigour of soul in the performance of it; all the powers
|
|
and faculties of the soul in their closest intensity and application
|
|
ought to be employed in it. Thus too she expresses the sense she had of
|
|
her own infirmity, and aptness to flag and remit in her zeal in this
|
|
work. Note, Praising God is work that we should awake to, and awake
|
|
ourselves to,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+108:2">Ps. cviii. 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
2. Barak, as a general, must do it by a triumph: <I>Lead thy captivity
|
|
captive.</I> Though the army of Sisera was cut off in the field, and no
|
|
quarter given, yet we may suppose in the prosecution of the victory,
|
|
when the war was carried into the enemy's country, many not found in
|
|
arms were seized and made prisoners of war. These she would have led in
|
|
chains after Barak, when he made his public entry into his own city, to
|
|
grace his triumphs; not as if it should be any pleasure to him to
|
|
trample upon his fellow-creatures, but thus he must give glory to God,
|
|
and serve that great purpose of his government which is to <I>look upon
|
|
those that are proud and to abase them.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. She gives good reason for this praise and triumph,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
This glorious victory had made the remnant of Israel, and Deborah in
|
|
particular, look very great, a circumstance which they owed entirely to
|
|
God.
|
|
|
|
1. The Israelites had become few and inconsiderable, and yet to them
|
|
God gave dominion over nobles. Many of them were cut off by the enemy,
|
|
many died of grief, and perhaps some had removed their families and
|
|
effects into foreign parts; yet those few that remained, by divine
|
|
assistance, with one brave and generous effort, not only shook off the
|
|
yoke of oppression from their own neck, but got power over their
|
|
oppressors. As long as any of God's Israel remain (and a remnant God
|
|
will have in the worst of times) there is hope, be it ever so small a
|
|
remnant, for God can make him that remains, though it should be but one
|
|
single person, triumph over the most proud and potent.
|
|
|
|
2. Deborah was herself of the weaker sex, and the sex that from the
|
|
fall had been sentenced to subjection, and yet the Lord that is himself
|
|
higher than the highest authorized her to rule over the mighty men of
|
|
Israel, who willingly submitted to her direction, and enabled her to
|
|
triumph over the mighty men of Canaan, who fell before the army she
|
|
commanded; so wonderfully did he <I>advance the low estate of his
|
|
handmaid.</I> "The Lord made me, a woman, to have dominion over mighty
|
|
men." A despised stone is made <I>head of the corner. This is</I>
|
|
indeed the <I>Lord's doing, and marvellous in our eyes.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. She makes particular remarks on the several parties concerned in
|
|
this great action, taking notice who fought against them, who fought
|
|
for them, and who stood neuter.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. Who fought against them. The power of the enemy must be taken notice
|
|
of, that the victory may appear the more glorious. Jabin and Sisera had
|
|
been mentioned in the history, but here it appears further,
|
|
|
|
(1.) That Amalek was in league with Jabin, and sent him in assistance,
|
|
or endeavoured to do it. Ephraim is here said to act against Amalek
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>),
|
|
|
|
probably intercepting and cutting off some forces of the Amalekites
|
|
that were upon their march to join Sisera. Amalek had helped Moab to
|
|
oppress Israel
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+3:13"><I>ch.</I> iii. 13</A>)
|
|
|
|
and now had helped Jabin; they were inveterate enemies to God's
|
|
people--their hand had always <I>been against the throne of the Lord</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+17:16">Exod. xvii. 16</A>);
|
|
|
|
and therefore they were the more dangerous.
|
|
|
|
(2.) That others of the kings of Canaan, who had somewhat recovered
|
|
themselves since their defeat by Joshua, joined with Jabin, and
|
|
strengthened his army with their forces, having the same implacable
|
|
enmity to Israel that he had, and those kingdoms, when they were in
|
|
their strength, having been subject to that of Hazor,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+11:10">Josh. xi. 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
These kings <I>came and fought,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
Israel had no king; their enemies had many, whose power and influence,
|
|
especially acting in confederacy, made them very formidable; and yet
|
|
Israel, having the Lord for their King, was too hard for them all. It
|
|
is said of these kings that <I>they took no gain of money,</I> they
|
|
were not mercenary troops hired into the service of Jabin (such often
|
|
fail in an extremity), but they were volunteers and hearty in the cause
|
|
against Israel: they <I>desired not the riches of silver,</I> so the
|
|
Chaldee, but only the satisfaction of helping to ruin Israel. Acting
|
|
upon this principle, they were the more formidable, and would be the
|
|
more cruel.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. Who fought for them. The several tribes that assisted in this great
|
|
exploit are here spoken of with honour; for, though God is chiefly to
|
|
be glorified, instruments must have their due praise, for the
|
|
encouragement of others: but, after all, it was heaven that turned the
|
|
scale.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) Ephraim and Benjamin, those tribes among whom Deborah herself
|
|
lived, bestirred themselves, and did bravely, by her influence upon
|
|
them; for her palm-tree was in the tribe of Ephraim, and very near to
|
|
that of Benjamin
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Out of Ephraim was there a root,</I> and life in the root, against
|
|
Amalek. There was in Ephraim a mountain called <I>the mount of
|
|
Amalek,</I> mentioned,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+12:15"><I>ch.</I> xii. 15</A>,
|
|
|
|
which, some think, is here meant, and some read it, <I>there was a root
|
|
in Amalek,</I> that is, in that mountain, a strong resolution in the
|
|
minds of that people to make head against the oppressors, which was the
|
|
root of the matter. Herein Benjamin had set them a good example among
|
|
his people. "Ephraim moved <I>after thee, Benjamin;</I>" though
|
|
Benjamin was the junior tribe, and much inferior, especially at this
|
|
time, to Ephraim, both in number and wealth, yet when they led Ephraim
|
|
followed in appearing for the common cause. If we be not so bold as to
|
|
lead, yet we must not be so proud and sullen as not to follow even our
|
|
inferiors in a good work. Ephraim was a at a distance from the place of
|
|
action, and therefore could not send forth many of its boughs to the
|
|
service; but Deborah, who was one of them, knew there was a root of
|
|
them, that they were hearty well-wishers to the cause. Dr. Lightfoot
|
|
gives quite another sense of this. Joshua, of Ephraim, had been a root
|
|
of such victories against Amalek
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+17:8-16">Exod. xvii.</A>),
|
|
|
|
and Ehud of Benjamin lately against Amalek and Moab.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) The ice being broken by Ephraim and Benjamin, Machir (the
|
|
half-tribe of Manasseh beyond Jordan) and Zebulun sent in men that were
|
|
very serviceable to this great design. When an army is to be raised,
|
|
especially under such disadvantages as Barak now experienced from the
|
|
long disuse of arms and the dispiritedness of the people, it is of
|
|
great consequence to be furnished,
|
|
|
|
[1.] With men of courage for officers, and such the family of Machir
|
|
furnished them with, for thence came down <I>governors.</I> The
|
|
children of Machir were particularly famous for their valour in Moses'
|
|
time
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+32:39">Num. xxxii. 39</A>),
|
|
|
|
and it seems it continued in their family, the more because they were
|
|
seated in the frontiers.
|
|
|
|
[2.] With men of learning and ingenuity for secretaries of war, and
|
|
with such they were supplied out of Zebulun: thence came men <I>that
|
|
handle the pen of the writer,</I> clerks that issued out orders, wrote
|
|
circular letters, drew commissions, mustered their men, and kept their
|
|
accounts. Thus must every man, <I>according as he has received the
|
|
gift, minister the same,</I> for the public good
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+4:10">1 Pet. iv. 10</A>);
|
|
|
|
the eyes see, and the ears hear, for the whole body. I know it is
|
|
generally understood of the forwardness even of the scholars of this
|
|
tribe, who studied the law and expounded it, to take up arms in this
|
|
cause, though they were better skilled in books than in the art of war.
|
|
So Sir Richard Blackmore paraphrases it:--</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
The scribes of Zebulun and learned men,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
To wield the sword, laid down the pen.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(3.) Issachar did good service too; though he <I>saw that rest was
|
|
good,</I> and therefore <I>bowed his shoulder to bear,</I> which is the
|
|
character of that tribe
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+49:15">Gen. xlix. 15</A>),
|
|
|
|
yet they disdained to bear the yoke of Jabin's tribute, and now
|
|
preferred the generous toils of war to a servile rest. Though it should
|
|
seem there were not many common soldiers enlisted out of that tribe,
|
|
yet <I>the princes of Issachar were with Deborah and Barak</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>),
|
|
|
|
probably, as a great council of war to advise upon emergencies. And, it
|
|
should seem, these princes of Issachar did in person accompany Barak
|
|
into the field of battle. Did he go on foot? They footed it with him,
|
|
not consulting their honour or ease. Did he go into the valley, the
|
|
place of most danger? They exposed themselves with him, and were still
|
|
at his right hand to advise him: for the men of Issachar were men that
|
|
<I>had understanding of the times,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+12:32">1 Chron. xii. 32</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(4.) Zebulun and Naphtali were the most bold and active of all the
|
|
tribes, not only out of a particular affection to Barak their
|
|
countryman, but because, they lying nearest to Jabin, the yoke of
|
|
oppression lay heavier on their necks than on those of any other tribe.
|
|
Better die in honour than live in bondage; and therefore, in a pious
|
|
zeal for God and their country, they <I>jeoparded their lives unto the
|
|
death in the high places of the field,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
With what heroic bravery did they charge and push on even upon the
|
|
chariots of iron, despising danger, and setting death itself at
|
|
defiance in so good a cause!</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(5.) The stars from heaven appeared, or acted at least, on Israel's
|
|
side
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>The stars in their courses,</I> according to the order and direction
|
|
of him who is the great Lord of their hosts, <I>fought against
|
|
Sisera,</I> by their malignant influences, or by causing the storms of
|
|
hail and thunder which contributed so much to the rout of Sisera's
|
|
army. The Chaldee reads it, <I>from heaven, from the place where the
|
|
stars go forth, war was waged against Sisera,</I> that is, the power of
|
|
the God of heaven was engaged against him, making use of the
|
|
ministration of the angels of heaven. Some way or other, the heavenly
|
|
bodies (not arrested, as when the sun stood still at Joshua's word, but
|
|
going on in their courses) fought against Sisera. Those whom God is an
|
|
enemy to the whole creation is at war with. Perhaps the flashes of
|
|
lightning by which the stars fought was that which frightened the
|
|
horses, so as that they pranced till their very hoofs were broken
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>),
|
|
|
|
and probably overturned the chariots of iron which they drew or turned
|
|
them back upon their owners.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(6.) The river of Kishon fought against their enemies. It swept away
|
|
multitudes of those that hoped to make their escape through it,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
Ordinarily, it was but a shallow river, and, being in their own
|
|
country, we may suppose they well knew its fords and safest passages,
|
|
and yet now, probably by the great rain that fell, it was so swollen,
|
|
and the stream so deep and strong, that those who attempted to pass it
|
|
were drowned, being feeble and faint, and unable to make their way
|
|
through it. And then were the horse-hoofs broken by means of the
|
|
<I>plungings.</I> So it is in the margin,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>.
|
|
|
|
The river of Kishon is called <I>that ancient river</I> because
|
|
described or celebrated by ancient historians or poets, or rather
|
|
because it was designed of old, in the counsel of God, to serve his
|
|
purposes against Sisera at this time, and did so, as if it had been
|
|
made on purpose; thus <I>the water of the old pool</I> God is said to
|
|
have fashioned long ago for that use to which it was put,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+22:11">Isa. xxii. 11</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(7.) Deborah's own soul fought against them; she speaks of it with a
|
|
holy exultation
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>O, my soul, thou hast trodden down strength.</I> She did it by
|
|
exciting others to do it, and assisting them, which she did with all
|
|
her heart. Also by her prayers; as Moses conquered Amalek by lifting up
|
|
his hand, so Deborah vanquished Sisera by lifting up her heart. And
|
|
when the soul is employed in holy exercises, and heart-work is made of
|
|
them, through the grace of God the strength of our spiritual enemies
|
|
will be trodden down and will fall before us.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. In this great engagement she observes who stood <I>neuter,</I> and
|
|
did not side with Israel as might have been expected. It is strange to
|
|
find how many, even of those who were called Israelites, basely
|
|
deserted this glorious cause and declined to appear. No mention is made
|
|
of Judah nor Simeon among the tribes concerned, because they, lying so
|
|
very remote from the scene of action, had not an opportunity to appear,
|
|
and therefore it was not expected from them; but for those that lay
|
|
near, and yet would not venture, indelible marks of disgrace are here
|
|
put upon them, as they deserved.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) Reuben basely declined the service,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:15,16"><I>v.</I> 15, 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
Justly had he long ago been deprived of the privileges of the
|
|
birth-right, and still does his dying father's doom stick by him:
|
|
<I>unstable as water, he shall not excel.</I> Two things hindered them
|
|
from engaging:--
|
|
|
|
[1.] Their divisions. This jarring string she twice strikes upon to
|
|
their shame: <I>For the divisions of Reuben</I> (or in these divisions)
|
|
<I>there were great thoughts,</I> impressions, and searchings <I>of
|
|
heart.</I> Not only for their division from Canaan by the river Jordan,
|
|
which needed not to have hindered them had they been hearty in the
|
|
cause, for Gilead abode beyond Jordan, and yet from Machir of Gilead
|
|
came down governors; but it means either that they were divided among
|
|
themselves, could not agree who should go or who should lead, each
|
|
striving to gain the posts of honour and shun those of danger, some
|
|
unhappy contests in their tribe kept them from uniting together, and
|
|
with their brethren, for the common good, or that they were divided in
|
|
their opinion of this war from the rest of the tribes, thought the
|
|
attempt either not justifiable or not practicable, and therefore blamed
|
|
those that engaged in it and did themselves decline it. This occasioned
|
|
great searchings of heart among the rest, especially when the had
|
|
reason to suspect that, whatever Reuben pretended, his sitting still
|
|
now proceeded from a cooling of his affections to his brethren and an
|
|
alienation of mind from them, which occasioned them many sad thoughts.
|
|
It grieves us to see our mother's children angry with us for doing our
|
|
duty and looking strange upon us when we most need their friendship and
|
|
assistance.
|
|
|
|
[2.] Their business in the world: <I>Reuben abode among the
|
|
sheepfolds,</I> a warmer and safer place than the camp, pretending they
|
|
could not conveniently leave the sheep they tended; he loved to <I>hear
|
|
the bleatings of the flocks,</I> or, as some read it, the
|
|
<I>whistlings</I> of the flocks, the music which the shepherds made
|
|
with their oaten reeds or pipes, and the pastorals which they sung;
|
|
these Reuben preferred before the martial drum and trumpet. Thus many
|
|
are kept from doing their duty by the fear of trouble, the love of
|
|
ease, and an inordinate affection to their worldly business and
|
|
advantage. Narrow selfish spirits care not what becomes of the
|
|
interests of God's church, so they can but get, keep, and save money.
|
|
<I>All seek their own,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+2:21">Phil. ii. 21</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) Dan and Asher did the same,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
These two lay on the sea-coast, and,
|
|
|
|
[1.] Dan pretended he could not leave his ships but they would be
|
|
exposed, and therefore <I>I pray thee have me excused.</I> Those of
|
|
that tribe perhaps pleaded that their sea-trade disfitted them for
|
|
land-service and diverted them from it; but Zebulun also was a haven
|
|
for ships, a sea-faring tribe, and yet was forward and active in this
|
|
expedition. There is no excuse we make to shift off duty but what some
|
|
or other have broken through and set aside, whose courage and
|
|
resolution will rise up against us and shame us.
|
|
|
|
[2.] Asher pretended he must stay at home to repair the breaches which
|
|
the sea had in some places made upon his land, and to fortify his works
|
|
against the encroachments of it, or he abode in his creeks, or small
|
|
havens, where his trading vessels lay to attend them. A little thing
|
|
will serve those for a pretence to stay at home who have no mind to
|
|
engage in the most necessary services because there are difficulty and
|
|
danger in them.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(3.) But above all Meroz is condemned, and a curse pronounced upon the
|
|
inhabitants of it, <I>Because they came not to the help of the
|
|
Lord,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>.
|
|
|
|
Probably this was some city that lay near the scene of action, and
|
|
therefore the inhabitants had a fair opportunity of showing their
|
|
obedience to God and their concern for Israel, and of doing a good
|
|
service to the common cause; but they basely declined it, for fear of
|
|
Jabin's iron chariots, being willing to sleep in a whole skin. The Lord
|
|
needed not their help; he made it to appear he could do his work
|
|
without them; but no thanks to them: for aught they knew the attempt
|
|
might have miscarried for want of their hand, and therefore they are
|
|
cursed for <I>not coming to the help of the Lord,</I> when it was in
|
|
effect proclaimed, <I>Who is on the Lord's side?</I> The cause between
|
|
God and the mighty (the principalities and powers of the kingdom of
|
|
darkness) will not admit of neutrality. God looks upon those as against
|
|
him that are not with him. This curse is pronounced by the <I>angel of
|
|
the Lord,</I> our Lord Jesus, the captain of the Lord's host (and
|
|
<I>those whom he curses are cursed indeed</I>), and further than we
|
|
have warrant and authority from him we may not curse. He that will
|
|
richly reward all his good soldiers will certainly and severely punish
|
|
all cowards and deserters. This city of Meroz seems to have been at
|
|
this time a considerable place, since something great was expected from
|
|
it; but probably, after the angel of the Lord had pronounced this curse
|
|
upon it, it dwindled, and, like the fig-tree which Christ cursed,
|
|
withered away, so that we never read of it after this in scripture.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Jud5_24"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jud5_25"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jud5_26"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jud5_27"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jud5_28"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jud5_29"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jud5_30"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jud5_31"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>24 Blessed above women shall Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite
|
|
be, blessed shall she be above women in the tent.
|
|
25 He asked water, <I>and</I> she gave <I>him</I> milk; she brought forth
|
|
butter in a lordly dish.
|
|
26 She put her hand to the nail, and her right hand to the
|
|
workmen's hammer; and with the hammer she smote Sisera, she smote
|
|
off his head, when she had pierced and stricken through his
|
|
temples.
|
|
27 At her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay down: at her feet he
|
|
bowed, he fell: where he bowed, there he fell down dead.
|
|
28 The mother of Sisera looked out at a window, and cried
|
|
through the lattice, Why is his chariot <I>so</I> long in coming? why
|
|
tarry the wheels of his chariots?
|
|
29 Her wise ladies answered her, yea, she returned answer to
|
|
herself,
|
|
30 Have they not sped? have they <I>not</I> divided the prey; to
|
|
every man a damsel <I>or</I> two; to Sisera a prey of divers colours,
|
|
a prey of divers colours of needlework, of divers colours of
|
|
needlework on both sides, <I>meet</I> for the necks of <I>them that
|
|
take</I> the spoil?
|
|
31 So let all thine enemies perish, O L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>: but <I>let</I> them that
|
|
love him <I>be</I> as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. And
|
|
the land had rest forty years.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Deborah here concludes this triumphant song,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. With the praises of Jael, her sister-heroine, whose valiant act had
|
|
completed and crowned the victory. She had mentioned her before
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>)
|
|
|
|
as one that would have served her country if it had been in her power;
|
|
now she applauds her as one that did serve it admirably well when it
|
|
was in her power. Her poetry is finest and most florid here in the
|
|
latter end of the song. How honourably does she speak of Jael
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>),
|
|
|
|
who preferred her peace with the God of Israel before her peace with
|
|
the king of Canaan, and though not a native of Israel (for aught that
|
|
appears) yet heartily espoused the cause of Israel in this critical
|
|
conjuncture, jeoparded her life as truly as if she had been in the high
|
|
places of the field, and bravely fought for those whom she saw God
|
|
fought for! <I>Blessed shall she be above women in the tent.</I> Note,
|
|
Those whose lot is cast in the tent, in a very low and narrow sphere of
|
|
activity, if they serve God in that according to their capacity, shall
|
|
in no wise lose their reward. Jael in the tent wins as rich a blessing
|
|
as Barak in the field. Nothing is more confounding, grievous, and
|
|
shameful, than disappointment, and Deborah here does most elegantly
|
|
describe two great disappointments, the shame of which was typical of
|
|
sinners' everlasting shame.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. Sisera found a fatal enemy where he expected a firm and faithful
|
|
friend.
|
|
|
|
(1.) Jael showed him the kindness of a friend, and perhaps at that time
|
|
intended no other than kindness, until God, by an immediate impulse
|
|
upon her mind (which impulses then were to be regarded, and carried so
|
|
much of their own evidence with them that they might be relied upon,
|
|
but cannot now be pretended to), directed her to do otherwise,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>.
|
|
|
|
He asked only for fair water to quench his thirst, but she, not only to
|
|
show her housewifery and good housekeeping, but to express her respect
|
|
to him, <I>gave him milk</I> and <I>brought forth butter,</I> that is
|
|
(say some interpreters), milk which had the butter taken from it; we
|
|
call it butter-milk. No (say others), it was milk that had the butter
|
|
still in it; we call it cream. Whichsoever it was, it was probably the
|
|
best her house afforded; and, to set it off, she brought it <I>in a
|
|
lordly dish,</I> such as she called so, the finest she had, and better
|
|
than she ordinarily used at her own table. This confirmed Sisera's
|
|
opinion of her friendship, and made him sleep the faster and the more
|
|
secure. But,
|
|
|
|
(2.) She proved his mortal enemy, gave him his death's stroke: it is
|
|
curiously described,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:26,27"><I>v.</I> 26, 27</A>.
|
|
|
|
[1.] How great does Jael look, <I>hammering Sisera,</I> as it is in the
|
|
margin, mauling that proud man who had been so long the terror of the
|
|
mighty, and sending him down slain to the pit with <I>his iniquities
|
|
upon his bones!</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+32:27">Ezek. xxxii. 27</A>.
|
|
|
|
She seems to have gone about it with no more terror nor concern than if
|
|
she had been going to nail one of the boards or bars of her tent, so
|
|
confident was she of divine aid and protection. We read it she
|
|
<I>smote off his head,</I> probably with his own sword, which, now that
|
|
his head was nailed through, she durst take from his side, but not
|
|
before, for fear of waking him. But because there was no occasion for
|
|
cutting off his head, nor was it mentioned in the history, many think
|
|
it should be read, <I>she struck through his head.</I> That head which
|
|
had been proudly lifted up against God and Israel, and in which had
|
|
been forged bloody designs for the destruction of God's people, Jael
|
|
finds a soft place in, and into that with a good will strikes her nail.
|
|
|
|
[2.] How mean does Sisera look, fallen at Jael's feet!
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>.
|
|
|
|
At the feet of this female executioner he bowed, he fell; all his
|
|
struggles for life availed not; she followed her blow until he fell
|
|
down dead. There lies extended the deserted carcase of that proud man,
|
|
not on the bed of honour, not in the high places of the field, not
|
|
having any glorious wound to show from a glittering sword, or a bow of
|
|
steel, but in the corner of a tent, at the feet of a woman, with a
|
|
disgraceful wound by a sorry nail struck through his head. Thus is
|
|
shame the fate of proud men. And this is a very lively representation
|
|
of the ruin of those sinners whose prosperity slays them; it flatters
|
|
and caresses them with milk and butter in a lordly dish, as if it would
|
|
make them easy and happy, but it nails their heads and hearts too to
|
|
the ground in earthly-mindedness, and pierces them through with many
|
|
sorrows; its flatteries are fatal, and sink them at last into
|
|
destruction and perdition,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+6:9,10">1 Tim. vi. 9, 10</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. Sisera's mother had the tidings brought her of her son's fall and
|
|
ruin when she was big with expectation of his glorious and triumphant
|
|
return,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:28-30"><I>v.</I> 28-30</A>,
|
|
|
|
where we have,
|
|
|
|
(1.) Her fond desire to see her son come back in triumph: <I>Why is his
|
|
chariot so long in coming?</I> She speaks this, not so much out of a
|
|
concern for his safety, or any jealousy of his having miscarried (she
|
|
had no fear of that, so confident was she of his success), but out of a
|
|
longing for his glory, which with a feminine weakness she was
|
|
passionately impatient to see, chiding the lingering chariot, and
|
|
expostulating concerning the delays of it, little thinking that her
|
|
unhappy son had been, before this, forced to quit that chariot which
|
|
they were so proud of, and which she thought came so slowly. <I>The
|
|
chariots of his glory had now become the shame of his house,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+22:18">Isa. xxii. 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
Let us take heed of indulging such desires as these towards any
|
|
temporal good thing, particularly towards that which cherishes
|
|
vain-glory, for this was what she here doted on. Eagerness and
|
|
impatience in our desires do us a great deal of prejudice, and make it
|
|
intolerable to us to be crossed. But towards the second coming of Jesus
|
|
Christ, and the glories of that day, we should thus stand affected
|
|
(<I>Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly</I>), for here we cannot be
|
|
disappointed.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Her foolish hope and confidence that he would come at last in so
|
|
much the greater pomp. Her wise ladies answered her, and thought they
|
|
gave a very good account of the delay; yea, she (<I>in her wisdom,</I>
|
|
says the Chaldee) tauntingly made answer to herself, "<I>Have they not
|
|
sped?</I> No doubt they have, and that which delays them is that they
|
|
are <I>dividing the prey,</I> which is so much that it is a work of
|
|
time to make a distribution of it." In the spoil they pleased
|
|
themselves with the thought of, observe,
|
|
|
|
[1.] How impudently, and to the reproach and scandal of their sex,
|
|
these ladies boast of the multitude of damsels which the soldiers would
|
|
have the abusing of.
|
|
|
|
[2.] How childishly they pleased themselves with the hope of seeing
|
|
Sisera himself in a gaudy mantle of <I>divers colours;</I> how
|
|
charmingly would it look! <I>of divers colours of needle-work,</I>
|
|
plundered out of the wardrobe of some Israelitish lady; it is repeated
|
|
again, as that which pleased their fancy above any thing, <I>of divers
|
|
colours of needle-work on both sides,</I> and therefore very rich; such
|
|
pieces of embroidery they hoped Sisera would have to present his mother
|
|
and the ladies with. Thus apt are we to deceive ourselves with great
|
|
expectations and confident hopes of honour, and pleasure, and wealth in
|
|
this world, by which we prepare for ourselves the shame and grief of a
|
|
disappointment. And thus does God often bring ruin on his enemies when
|
|
they are most elevated.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. She concludes all with a prayer to God,
|
|
|
|
1. For the destruction of all his foes: "<I>So,</I> so shamefully, so
|
|
miserably, <I>let all thy enemies perish, O Lord;</I> let all that hope
|
|
to triumph in Israel's ruin be thus disappointed and triumphed over.
|
|
<I>Do to them all as unto Sisera,</I>"
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+83:9">Ps. lxxxiii. 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
Though our enemies are to be prayed for, God's enemies, as such, are to
|
|
be prayed against; and, when we see some of God's enemies remarkably
|
|
humbled and brought down, this is an encouragement to us to pray for
|
|
the downfall of all the rest. Deborah was a prophetess, and this prayer
|
|
was a prediction that in due time all God's enemies shall perish,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+92:9">Ps. xcii. 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
None ever hardened his heart against God and prospered.
|
|
|
|
2. For the exaltation and comfort of all his friends. "But let those
|
|
that love him, and heartily wish well to his kingdom among men, be
|
|
<I>as the sun when he goeth forth in his strength;</I> let them shine
|
|
so bright, appear so glorious in the eye of the world, cast such benign
|
|
influences, be as much out of the reach of their enemies, who curse the
|
|
rising sun because it scorches them; let them <I>rejoice as a strong
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man to run a race,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+19:5">Ps. xix. 5</A>.
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Let them, as burning and shining lights in their places, dispel the
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mists of darkness, and shine with more and more lustre and power
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<I>unto the perfect day.</I>"
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:18">Prov. iv. 18</A>.
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Such shall be the honour, and such the joy, of all that love God in
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sincerity, and for ever they shall <I>shine as the sun in the firmament
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of our Father.</I></P>
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<P>
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The victory here celebrated with this song was of such happy
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consequence to Israel that for the best part of one age they enjoyed
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the peace which it opened the way to: <I>The land had rest forty
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years,</I> that is, so long it was from this victory to the raising up
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of Gideon. And well would it have been if, when the churches and the
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tribes had rest, they had been edified, <I>and had walked in the fear
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of the Lord.</I></P>
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