CONTENTS Few events in the history of Israel, are more interesting than what this Chapter contains, of the defeat of Sisera ' s army by Barak, under the animated zeal of Deborah. Here are the several particulars related which gave birth to that war; with the event of it, in the conquest over the en... [ Continue Reading ]
I beg the Reader not to overlook the expression, "the Lord sold them." Yes! every event, as well afflictive as prosperous, is of the Lord's appointment. Painful as the Lord's corrections sometimes are, yet, when his hand is traced in them, and the heart is enabled to say, I know, Lord, that thy judg... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe how grace works. The cry of the soul, and that cry, directed unto the Lord; these are sure marks of grace. If the Reader would see the contrast of this, it will not be far to find. Carnal men will cry out, in their affliction, and by reason of the multitude of oppressions, complain. But thei... [ Continue Reading ]
The Holy Ghost hath thought proper to render this woman's name illustrious in the Church. Some have thought that, as Lapidoth is not a very common name for a man, and rather means light, and illumination, the expression is symbolical, for the extraordinary degree of grace imparted to Deborah, and pa... [ Continue Reading ]
Under the impression of the Holy Spirit of the Lord, Deborah evidently sent this message to Barak. And it should seem that in it, by the manner of her expression, in which she asketh, as it were, the question of Barak, both Barak and the children of Israel understood it to be of the Lord. Hath not t... [ Continue Reading ]
I do not think that Barak, by this answer, manifested fear; but rather, it arose from the confidence he had, that by her accompanying him, the people would be the more convinced that the thing was of the Lord.... [ Continue Reading ]
Though the Lord's army were, by the express orders of Deborah, to be gathered from those two tribes, yet from some expressions we meet with after in Deborah's song, it should seem t hat there were others, who were, perhaps, volunteers in this sacred service. See Judges 5:15.... [ Continue Reading ]
The account of this Kenite is very properly introduced here, in order to explain what afterwards follows in the history, Judges 4:17.... [ Continue Reading ]
Deborah had promised Barak that the Lord would incline Sisera to the battle. And hence the sign of victory is instantly held out.... [ Continue Reading ]
Oh! what lively faith did this animated woman possess! Observe the expression, Is not the Lord gone out before thee? Reader! what may we not insure to ourselves of success, in all the battles of our enemies, when we can see Jesus going before us, and leading on to victory? This is the apostle's dire... [ Continue Reading ]
Such, Reader, will be, and such even now is, the sure event of the wars of God's people, who fight under the banner of Jesus. There shall not a man be able to stand before thee all thy days. So run the words of the royal charter to our Joshua Jesus, and his people in him. Joshua 1:5.... [ Continue Reading ]
The peace here spoken of only implies that Jabin did not tyrannize over Heber's house, as over Israel's. The relationship on account of Moses, between Heber and Israel, could not have made Jabin ' s cruelties to Israel very pleasing.... [ Continue Reading ]
Perhaps Jael was on the lookout, to show mercy to any poor Israelite which might have fled, from the battle. And if so, what must have been her surprise when she found Sisera at her door? Her hospitality to this sworn foe of Israel was no doubt intended for the better, and more easy accomplishment o... [ Continue Reading ]
That this thing was of the Lord, no one can doubt, who considers that Deborah had before pointed out, under the Spirit of prophecy, that the Lord had sold Sisera into the hand of a woman. See Judges 4:9. And from the eminent blessings which, under the same authority, Deborah proclaimed in her song o... [ Continue Reading ]
I leave the Reader to his own reflection, to consider what must have been the thoughts of Barak, concerning divine mercies, when he beheld Sisera dead before him, and was enabled to trace the Lord's hand in the whole battle. And I would equally leave the Reader to his own reflections, if he will mak... [ Continue Reading ]
How beautifully the subject ends as it begun. It was not Deborah, nor Barak, nor the ten thousands of Zebulun and Naphthali, which got themselves the victory; but God himself which subdued their enemies, and brought down the king of Canaan under them. Sweetly doth the Holy Ghost teach Israel to sing... [ Continue Reading ]
REFLECTIONS READER! I would call upon you while I desire grace to call up at the same time all the finer affections of my own heart, in the perusal of this chapter, to contemplate with fresh satisfaction, the renewed love and attention of the Lord to his people. Again, the Holy Ghost records, Israel... [ Continue Reading ]