Chapter 5:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Joshua Ruth
Judges 5
Concise Complete
Praise and glory ascribed to God. (1-5) The distress and
deliverance of Israel. (6-11) Some commended, others censured. (12-23) Sisera's
mother disappointed. (24-31)
1-5. No time should be lost in returning thanks to the Lord
for his mercies; for our praises are most acceptable, pleasant, and profitable,
when they flow from a full heart. By this, love and gratitude would be more
excited and more deeply fixed in the hearts of believers; the events would be
more known and longer remembered. Whatever Deborah, Barak, or the army had done,
the Lord must have all the praise. The will, the power, and the success were all
from Him.
6-11. Deborah describes the distressed state of Israel under
the tyranny of Jabin, that their salvation might appear more gracious. She shows
what brought this misery upon them. It was their idolatry. They chose new gods,
with new names. But under all these images, Satan was worshipped. Deborah was a
mother to Israel, by diligently promoting the salvation of their souls. She
calls on those who shared the advantages of this great salvation, to offer up
thanks to God for it. Let such as are restored, not only to their liberty as
other Israelites, but to their rank, speak God's praises. This is the Lord's
doing. In these acts of his, justice was executed on his enemies. In times of
persecution, God's ordinances, the walls of salvation, whence the waters of life
are drawn, are resorted to at the hazard of the lives of those who attend them.
At all times Satan will endeavour to hinder the believer from drawing near to
the throne of grace. Notice God's kindness to his trembling people. It is the
glory of God to protect those who are most exposed, and to help the weakest. Let
us notice the benefit we have from the public peace, the inhabitants of villages
especially, and give God the praise.
Verses 12-23
Deborah called on her own soul to be in earnest. He that will set the hearts of
other men on fire with the love of Christ, must himself burn with love. Praising
God is a work we should awake to, and awake ourselves unto. She notices who
fought against Israel, who fought for them, and who kept away. Who fought
against them. They were obstinate enemies to God's people, therefore the more
dangerous. Who fought for them. The several tribes that helped are here spoken
of with honour; for though God is above all to be glorified, those who are
employed must have their due praise, to encourage others. But the whole creation
is at war with those to whom God is an enemy. The river of Kishon fought against
their enemies. At most times it was shallow, yet now, probably by the great rain
that fell, it was so swelled, and the stream so deep and strong, that those who
attempted to pass, were drowned. Deborah's own soul fought against them. 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. She observes who kept away, and did not side with
Israel, as might have been expected. Thus many are kept from doing their duty by
the fear of trouble, the love of ease, and undue affection to their worldly
business and advantage. Narrow, selfish spirits care not what becomes of God's
church, so that they can but get, keep, and save money. All seek their own,
philippians 2:21. A
little will serve those for a pretence to stay at home, who have no mind to
engage in needful services, because there is difficulty and danger in them. But
we cannot keep away from the contest between the Lord and his enemies; and if we
do not actively endeavour to promote his cause in this wicked world, we shall
fall under the curse against the workers of iniquity. Though He needs no human
help, yet he is pleased to accept the services of those who improve their
talents to advance his cause. He requires every man to do so.
Verses 24-31 Jael
had a special blessing. Those whose lot is cast in the tent, in a low and narrow
sphere, if they serve God according to the powers he has given them, shall not
lose their reward. The mother of Sisera looked for his return, not in the least
fearing his success. Let us take heed of indulging eager desires towards any
temporal good, particularly toward that which cherishes vain-glory, for that was
what she here doted on. What a picture does she present of an ungodly and
sensual heart! How shameful and childish these wishes of an aged mother and her
attendants for her son! And thus does God often bring ruin on his enemies when
they are most puffed up. Deborah concludes with a prayer to God for the
destruction of all his foes, and for the comfort of all his friends. Such shall
be the honour, and joy of all who love God in sincerity, they shall shine for
ever as the sun in the firmament.
Chapter 5:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Joshua Ruth
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
