THE KING’S BUSINESS
31
was “Jabin, king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor” (v. 2). Joshua in his day had con quered and burned the city of a king named Jabin, residing in the same place (Joshua 11:1-11) but in Israel’s time of weakness through backsliding the city had been re built, and a king by the same name, prob ably a descendant of the former king, had more than regained his old power, and was now able to tyrannize over Israel, who in the time of their loyalty to God had been able to thoroughly subdue him. This was one of the most grievous oppressions that Israel brought upon themselves by their sins, but Israel having now repented and cried to Jehovah, He was just as ready as ever to listen to their cry and send them deliverance (cf. Rom. 10:13). This is not the only instance in which God sent deliv erance through a woman, or used a woman as His mouthpiece (cf. Exod. IS :20; 2 Kings 22:14; Joel 2:28, 29; Acts 21:9; 1 Cor. 11:5). Deborah’s name means “bee,” and someone has said: “She answered her name by her industry, sagacity and great useful ness to the public, her sweetness to her friends, and her sharpness to her enemies.” Her husband’s one claim to distinction seems to have been that he was her husband. His name means “torches,” but it was really Deborah who gave light in this dark night of Israel’s history. “She judged Israel,” rebuking their sins and settling their diffi culties (Exod. 18:13, 16, 26; Deut. 17:8-12). She must judge Israel before she could ac complish their deliverance, because in God’s method of dealing with men, judgment of sin must always precede His manifestation of grace and deliverance (1 Cor. 11:31, 32). She was a judge and prophetess by God’s appointment and not by man’s appointment (2 Peter 1:21), just as Samuel was at a later date. v. 5. "And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah, between Ramah and Bethel in Mount Ephraim.” Deborah evidently lived in great simplicity, either dwelling in a tent under a tree or sitting in judgment in the open air under a tree. The one who records the history had exact knowl
edge of this, and of which tree it was and just where it was located. Very likely De borah herself made the record. Very much of the material in Old Testament history was prepared by the prophets, and the his tory as well as the predictions are given by inspiration from God. “The children of Israel came up to her for judgment .” Deborah’s appointment by God was generally recognized by the people. Men soon recognize those whom God has appointed and equipped and come to them for judgment upon their actions. v. 6. “And she sent and called Barak, the son of Abinoam, out of Kedesh-naphtali.” Deborah, as God’s prophetess, the revealer of God’s will, calls, the man whom God has selected to the work for which God had called him. Barak’s name means “light ning,” and he proved himself true to his name., He came upon the oppressors of Israel like the lightning of God, bringing swift and utter destruction. He is to that extent a type of Christ, for as lightning will He come upon the enemies of God when He returns again in judgment (Matt. 24:27). “Hath not the Lord God of Israel com manded?” Though Barak’s commission came through Deborah, it came from God, and her word had force because she could say “hath not the Lord God of Israel com manded?” (cf. Joshua 1:9). Our word has authority when it has God’s Word back of it. “Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun.” Deborah’s instructions, to Barak were very explicit not only as to where to go, but as to the exact number of men to take with him, and what men to choose. The number of men seems small for such a task as lay before them, but in the outcome they proved quite sufficient for the work to be done. The reason why so small a num ber of men was enough for the great task was because God was to go with them, and He it was who was to give the deliverance (v. 7). The reason why Naphtali and Ze bulun were chosen as the tribes who were
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs