19 March

Bible In 365 Days   

Judges 3-5

Judges 3

God left certain nations, a company of stem, implacable enemies, in order to prove Israel. The overruling of God is set forth remarkably in this declaration. The people who had refused to cast out the enemies were now to be taught by long-continued conflict with them the lessons of vital importance to their fulfillment of divine purpose.

In what remains of this chapter, the first two movements of failure, punishment, and deliverance are recorded. The first of these occupies verses seven to eleven. Their sin is stated definitely as being that they forgot God.

The statement suggests a gradual deterioration ending in degeneracy. The punishment for this consisted of eight years of oppression. Under this affliction they cried to God and He heard them, and the first of the judges appeared in the person of Othniel, a relation of Caleb. Of him it is said, "And he judged Israel, and he went out to war." Thus the repentant nation was heard and the divinely appointed deliverer set the nation once again in order. Forty years of rest followed.

Then we have the story of the second declension. At the death of Othniel the people sinned again. This time punishment came through Eglon. An illuminative declaration made here is that Jehovah strengthened Eglon.

The one thing most vividly impressed upon the mind in reading these accounts is the fact of the government of God. After eighteen years they cried to Him again and again He heard. Ehud was the deliverer. Probably Shamgar was associated with him in some way in this work. This deliverance was followed by eighty years of rest.

Judges 4

With almost wearisome monotony the story of declension, discipline, and deliverance goes forward. After the eighty years of rest, the children of Israel sinned again, and were delivered into the hands of Jabin. Then followed twenty years of oppression and suffering which became most terrible under Sisera. Once again in penitence the Israelites cried to God and were heard.

The story of deliverance this time is full of romance and poetry because associated with the name of Deborah. One can imagine how this daughter of the people, true child of faith, had suffered under the intolerable consciousness of the degradation of her people. She gained the ear of many in so great a degree that she was appointed to judge the people. In doing this she called Barak to her aid. He, inspired by her teaching, and she, helped by his consecration, went forward and Israel was once more delivered from oppression.

It is interesting at this point to notice the persons who became the agents of the divine deliverance and what is said concerning them. Othniel was clothed with the Spirit of God and driven forth to the work deliverance. Ehud and Shamgar were illustrations of the individual flaming forth of the spirit of devotion as a result of the bitter consciousness of oppression. The story of Deborah is that of a woman gradually gaining power and inspiring others to action.

Judges 5

Here we have preserved for us the great song of Deborah, composed and sung in celebration of the victory. It is full of fire and passion and is a remarkable index to the character of the woman herself. It may be divided into two main parts. First, verses one to eleven is a great chant of confidence, telling the story of the deepest secret of the victories. Everything is attributed to the direct government and activity of God. In it she recognized that the leaders were raised and the people followed as the result of His inspiring. Therefore the song uttered His praise. His doings were celebrated from Seir until the day when Israel lacked warriors. She sang the praise of God because He had governed the governors and the people.

The second part of the song celebrates the victory. In the course of it she poured scorn upon those who failed to respond to the call and to come "to the help of Jehovah against the mighty" and spoke in terms of approval of those who did respond. The song gathers strength as it proceeds and celebrates the victory, and in the midst of the great outburst it curses the neutrals and blesses the woman who struck the blow of death to the tyrant Sisera.

Finally the song rejoiced over the death of the tyrant in language that thrills with Eastern imagery and color. Everything ends with the cry, "So let all Thine enemies perish, O Jehovah"; and the prayer, "But let them that love Him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might." After this deliverance the land had rest again for forty years.