One Year Bible Readings and Commentary for Monday, April 25th
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Click Here to Read Judges 4:1-5:31
Deborah Becomes Israel’s Judge
After Ehud's death, the Israelites went back to their old sinful ways, and God once again allowed their enemies to oppress them for twenty years. The king's name was Jabin, and his military commander was named Sisera. Their army had 900 iron chariots, which were the latest in military circles. Because of the vacuum of leadership God raised up a woman named Deborah, who was a prophet.
Some consider it unexpected for God to raise up a woman as prophetess. But the New Testament makes it clear that God grants the gift of prophecy unto women also, and they are to practice it appropriately (1 Corinthians 11:5). (Guzik)
Barak was their military commander, but he relied so heavily on Deborah that he insisted she go with him when they went to attack Jabin. With the Lord on their side. the 10,000 men that Barak had summoned easily defeated Sisera's men, but Sisera escaped on foot. But God had another plan involving a woman. This time it was Jael, the wife of Heber. Heber and Sisera were on friendly terms so when Jael invited Sisera into her tent, he had no reason to believe she wanted anything but to extend to him hospitality.
But he was wrong and it cost him his life. When Sisera fell asleep due to exhaustion, she took a tent peg and thrust it through Sisera's temple bringing a quick end to his life. After this decisive blow to their military commander, it wasn't long before the Israelites were completely victorious of King Jabin of Hazor.
This story reminds us that God can use anyone who is surrendered to His will. Though it was unusual for these two women to play such a large role in the salvation of Israel, especially in this day and age, God used them mightily to judge the sin of Israel's enemies.
In chapter 5, we see the song of Deborah. Commentators write this about it:
This song is well within the tradition of other Jewish songs of deliverance and celebration, such as Miriam’s song (Exodus 15:20-21) and the songs celebrating David’s victory over Goliath (1 Samuel 18:7). “Deborah was a poetess as well as a prophetess.” (Trapp)
“Deborah sang concerning the overthrow of Israel’s enemies, and the deliverance vouchsafed to the tribes: we have a far richer theme for music; we have been delivered from worse enemies, and saved by a greater salvation. Let our gratitude be deeper; let our song be more jubilant.” (Spurgeon)
Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives
Jesus went out to the Mount of Olives to pray as he often did. While he was praying for himself, he also knew his disciples would be tempted, so he prayed for them as well. When Jesus kneels down to pray, we see one of his most heartfelt and agonizing prayer times. He realizes the suffering that lies in front of him, and he asks God to take away the cup of suffering. Of course, by this he meant the cross. This shows the true humanity of Jesus. It wasn't that he was rebelling against his Father, he was merely praying honestly as he realized the price he was about to pay.
One of the greatest proofs of God's love for us is His sending His only Son to die for us on the cross. And Jesus proved his love for us by choosing to die on the cross for our sin. Even when he asked for his disciples' prayer support they had fallen asleep. Jesus was in such anguish it said his sweat hit the ground like "drops of blood".
“His perspiration was so profuse that it was like blood spilling on the ground.” (Pate)
The time was at hand and Judas had pre-arranged for the handing over of Jesus. When Judas gave Jesus a kiss (the usual Jewish greeting), it was a signal to the leaders where Jesus was. Jesus said to Judas, "Judas would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?"
I wonder what Judas must have been thinking at this point. Was the thirty pieces of silver worth betraying his master whom he had spent the last three years with. After seeing Jesus' compassion on the poor, the sick, and the diseased, how could he do this to one who had loved him unconditionally?
When the priests and guards came to arrest Jesus with a mob, Jesus asked them why it took them so long. Obviously they were trying to arrest him in a way that created this least amount of public scrutiny. One of the disciples (in another gospel we learn it is Peter) cut off the ear of the slave of the high priest. Rather than cheering him on, Jesus touched the man's ear and it was healed.
The leaders and guards expected a fight from Jesus, which is why they brought so many men and weapons.
"The number of those sent to arrest Jesus shows that the religious leaders clearly regarded this as a dangerous operation, to be done without risk of riot or failure." (Guzik)
I think what we see most of all was that Jesus was really in charge of all this. He was calling the shots. He was allowing this to happen because he knew it was the Father's will. All of the people involved in the arrest, the trial, and crucifixion of Jesus had been sovereignly arranged used by God the Father. Even Judas.
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