0273. 269. Deborah the Patriot
269. Deborah the Patriot
Jdg_4:1-16
There are three outstanding features we find in the Book of Judges. First, the repeated sin of the children of Israel and the consequent loss and bondage which came to them. Second, the Lord’s gracious intervention in raising up deliverers when the children of Israel cried unto Him. Third, the power of the Holy Spirit which came upon the deliverers, qualifying them for their work.
1. A Sad Repetition—Jdg_4:1, Jdg_4:2. The children of Israel did evil again, and it seems as if it was done with unblushing effrontery, for it was “in the sight of the Lord,” and the result was the Lord sold them into the hand of Jabin, the king of Canaan. The repetition of sin will harden the heart, sear the conscience, darken the understanding, blur the vision, lower morality, divert the feet, and separate from God.
2. A Supplicating Request—Jdg_4:3. The children of Israel “cried unto the Lord,” and two reasons are given; because Jabin “mightily oppressed” them, and that for the long period of twenty years; and he seems to have done them unparalleled injury, for when he came against them he had many chariots of iron, and to these chariots of iron were fastened long scythes to the orbs of the wheels, which would cut those who were invaded in a terrible way. The only hope for them was the Lord, so they supplicated for His help. Prayer to the Lord will bring help from Him when everything else has failed. Prayer brought a nation out of Egypt—Exo_2:23; victory to Hezekiah—2Ki_19:15-19; success to Nehemiah—Neh_4:9; salvation to Jonah—Jon_2:1-10; cleansing to the leper—Mat_8:2-4; help to Peter—Mat_14:31; and power to the disciples at Pentecost—Act_1:14; Act_4:31.
3. A Second Resource—Act_4:4-9. Deborah sent to Barak and advised him what to do in order that deliverance might come to Israel, but Barak would not go against the enemy unless Deborah went with him. She responded to the request, but she reminded Barak that a twofold loss would ensue, for it would not be to his honour, and that Sisera, the leader of the foe, would be delivered into the hand of a woman. We often find that when man fails God uses a woman to accomplish His purpose. The great lesson is that when the Lord calls us to do a thing we should promptly obey His voice, for if we do not it means loss to us.
4. A Sound Rout—Act_4:10-16. With the encouragement of Deborah, and the advice of Heber, Barak went up against Sisera and completely routed all the invading host, so that every one fell by the edge of the sword except Sisera, for the marginal reading implies there was one left (“All fell… unto one”). Besides, we read that Sisera fled away to the tent of Jael, and, as Deborah had predicted, he was slain by a woman—Act_4:18-23. God is recognised as the One who gave the victory over Israel’s enemies. Reference should be made to the song of Deborah and Barak as recorded in Judges 5, for it is a tribute of praise to the Lord’s delivering grace. The Lord who gave victory over the enemies of Israel is the One who will give us victory over our enemies. Mr. Spencer Walton used to tell a story about two boys who were fighting, and the boy who got the worst of the fray said to the other one, “You wait here while I go and fetch my big brother, and he will give you such a licking!” We should never fight our own battles, but always call in the Lord Jesus, who will crucify the flesh, conquer the world, and defeat the Devil. When the hand of our faith grips the hand of our Saviour, His hand of power will grip our hand and give us the victory, so let us sing in faith:
I’m gripped by Thine all-conquering hand;
Thy hand shall hold me fast;
Thy love and grace shall keep me safe
And bring me home at last.
By: DR. F. E. MARSH