Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Judges
Book: Judges
Chapter: 5
Overview:
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.
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, Php 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.
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.