The Right Hand of the LORD Does Valiantly1
Let us now consider the rest of Deborah’s magnificent song from:
Judges 5:19-31
19 “The kings came, they fought;
then fought the kings of Canaan,
at Taanach, by the waters of Megiddo;
they got no spoils of silver.”
The enemies of Israel were willing volunteers. They hated Israel so much they were eager for the battle. They did not care if they were paid. They just wanted to persecute and abuse the nation of Israel. Satan has his volunteers to serve him. Why should any of us need forcing to serve the Lord?
20 “From heaven the stars fought,
from their courses they fought against Sisera.”
The heavenly hosts joined forces with Israel. Even the weather was on their side. The rain from the sky was in their favor. The clouds blazed with lightning and tremendous floods poured from them.
21 “The torrent Kishon swept them away,
the ancient torrent, the torrent Kishon.”
The Kishon River suddenly swelled to overflowing and flash floods washed away whole armies of men.
“March on, my soul, with might!
22 “Then loud beat the horses’ hoofs
with the galloping, galloping of his steeds.”
The frighted horses pranced until their legs failed them. Sisera’s boasted cavalry became useless. His chariots of iron created only problems for his army.
23 “Curse Meroz, says the angel of the LORD,
curse its inhabitants thoroughly,
because they did not come to the help of the LORD,
to the help of the LORD against the mighty.”
The people of Meroz dragged their feet. They are cursed not for what they did, but for what they failed to do. Fear made them neutral. Those who will not fight in a patriotic war are a disgrace. “Would that you were either cold or hot!”2 Those who love the Lord the most, are the most disappointed with those who drag their feet and do not seem to care when the kingdom God is attacked.
24 “Most blessed of women be Jael,
the wife of Heber the Kenite,
of tent-dwelling women most blessed.
25 He asked for water and she gave him milk;
she brought him curds in a noble’s bowl.
Sisera saw the milk, but not the nail. Many who are tempted do not see the danger they are in.
26 “She sent her hand to the tent peg
and her right hand to the workmen’s mallet;
she struck Sisera;
she crushed his head;
she shattered and pierced his temple.
27 Between her feet
he sank, he fell, he lay still;
between her feet
he sank, he fell;
where he sank,
there he fell--dead.”
Jael’s life may not have seemed important to others, but she did her very best for Israel. Therefore she received as much praise as Barak who led thousands into battle.
28 “Out of the window she peered,
the mother of Sisera wailed through the lattice:
‘Why is his chariot so long in coming?
Why tarry the hoofbeats of his chariots?’”
This is a beautiful picture of the disappointment of the women at home when their warriors do not return in triumph. They did not think about what God might do in the battle and therefore their expectation failed them. The next two verses are almost comical.
29 “Her wisest princesses answer,
indeed, she answers herself,
30 ‘Have they not found and divided the spoil?--
A womb or two for every man;
spoil of dyed materials for Sisera,
spoil of dyed materials embroidered,
two pieces of dyed work embroidered for the neck as spoil?’”
They imagined out loud, thinking her son and the other soldiers were busy dividing the spoils of war, when they had really lost. The enemies of the church have often thought they have been victorious, only to find their rejoicing was premature. Up until now, the Lord has always helped us and he always will.
31 “So may all your enemies perish, O LORD!
But your friends be like the sun as he rises in his might.”
Amen! Amen! Under the gospel we dare to say Amen. But our fight is against spiritual powers, not humans. It is against error, sin, Satan, and unbelief. Oh for the brave hands of men and women to strike our real enemies.
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1 Psalm 118:16
2 Revelation 3:15
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