Judges 12

Judges 12:1

5. Description of the Battle

(Judges 5:19) In this vivid report we see how the kings of Canaan in great self-assurance went up to deal with the rebellious people of Israel. They had thought they would achieve a great victory, with a lot of booty. But with irony in her voice Deborah says: “They took no plunder in silver.”

The battle took place at Taanach near the waters of Megiddo, which is in the border areas of Issachar and Manasseh. Many interpreters point to the connection between Megiddo in the Old Testament and “Har-Magedon” in Revelation 16 (Revelation 16:16). Har-Magedon probably means ‘mountain of Megiddo’.

The relationship between the names is not the only thing that stands out. What is even more important is the similarity between the events of Judges 4 and what is written in the book of Revelation. With Megiddo the enemy armies are defeated and the people of the LORD are delivered. At Har-Magedon something similar will take place (Revelation 19:11-21). The armies of the then restored Roman Empire, that is the united Western Europe that in the future will come to the aid of apostate Israel in its fight against the king of the north, will be destroyed by the coming of Christ. The God-fearing part of Israel is then saved and is called “all Israel” (Romans 11:26).

(Judges 5:20-22) The suggestion is made that this is an allusion to a cloudburst, which turned the battlefield into a mud pool and the jammed battle cars could not do anything anymore. This enabled the Israelites to gain the victory. This would explain why Sisera did not flee in his car, but on foot (Judges 4:15). The wheels got stuck in the mud and the horses sank into it. This also explains why the torrent Kison could turn into a wild flowing mass of water.

However, it is also possible that God did something that He did earlier in the plagues He brought over Egypt. With the seventh plague we read: “And the LORD sent thunder and hail, and fire ran down to the earth. And the LORD rained hail on the land of Egypt. So there was hail, and fire flashing continually in the midst of the hail, very severe, such as had not been in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation” (Exodus 9:23-24). We can imagine that with such natural violence it can look like the stars are falling from the sky and that hail makes the ground swampy and the torrent wild.

This spectacle is an encouragement for everyone who takes part in the battle. They say to themselves, as it also can be translated: “O my soul, trample on the strong ones.” When we see God interfering in the battle, it gives strength and courage. The expression “trample” or “march” is also translated as “tread upon their high places” (Deuteronomy 33:29) as proof of the submission of the enemy. In Judges 20 it is translated as “trod them down” (Judges 20:43). The “trampling” means breaking the enemy’s power and gaining victory.

This language is also characteristic of someone who stands in the victory of Christ. Such a person is not satisfied with half the result, but continues, until the full victory is achieved in the certainty of also achieving it. No matter how the horses’ hoofs of enemy armies beat from the dashing, the enemy will be defeated in pursuit by the brave warriors of God’s people.

(Judges 5:23) It is not known where Meroz is or has been located. It is probably a city in the middle of the area where the battle took place. This can be inferred from the heavy curse that is pronounced about Meroz. Other tribes have also been accused of not taking part in the fight, but not that serious. It may be that this distinction originates from the location of the areas. Anyone who is closer to a conflict area and sees what is happening with their own eyes has a greater responsibility than anyone who is further away and is less directly involved in the events.

A possible meaning of the name Meroz is ‘built of cedars’. This indicates something of the things they lived for. They lived in cedar palaces and lived in peace, without worrying about the condition of their brothers. They loved themselves and not the LORD. Paul says of people who do not love the Lord: “If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed” (1 Corinthians 16:22).

What Deborah says of Meroz reminds us of what the LORD says through the mouth of Haggai. He reproaches His people that they are all busy for their own house, while they are not concerned about God’s house (Haggai 1:2-4; 9). They lived for here and now.

Deborah is the mouth of the Angel of the LORD when she curses Meroz. This indifference to their brothers is seen as a renunciation of the help of the LORD in His fight against the enemy. Here we see how the LORD identifies Himself with His suffering people.

Judges 12:2

5. Description of the Battle

(Judges 5:19) In this vivid report we see how the kings of Canaan in great self-assurance went up to deal with the rebellious people of Israel. They had thought they would achieve a great victory, with a lot of booty. But with irony in her voice Deborah says: “They took no plunder in silver.”

The battle took place at Taanach near the waters of Megiddo, which is in the border areas of Issachar and Manasseh. Many interpreters point to the connection between Megiddo in the Old Testament and “Har-Magedon” in Revelation 16 (Revelation 16:16). Har-Magedon probably means ‘mountain of Megiddo’.

The relationship between the names is not the only thing that stands out. What is even more important is the similarity between the events of Judges 4 and what is written in the book of Revelation. With Megiddo the enemy armies are defeated and the people of the LORD are delivered. At Har-Magedon something similar will take place (Revelation 19:11-21). The armies of the then restored Roman Empire, that is the united Western Europe that in the future will come to the aid of apostate Israel in its fight against the king of the north, will be destroyed by the coming of Christ. The God-fearing part of Israel is then saved and is called “all Israel” (Romans 11:26).

(Judges 5:20-22) The suggestion is made that this is an allusion to a cloudburst, which turned the battlefield into a mud pool and the jammed battle cars could not do anything anymore. This enabled the Israelites to gain the victory. This would explain why Sisera did not flee in his car, but on foot (Judges 4:15). The wheels got stuck in the mud and the horses sank into it. This also explains why the torrent Kison could turn into a wild flowing mass of water.

However, it is also possible that God did something that He did earlier in the plagues He brought over Egypt. With the seventh plague we read: “And the LORD sent thunder and hail, and fire ran down to the earth. And the LORD rained hail on the land of Egypt. So there was hail, and fire flashing continually in the midst of the hail, very severe, such as had not been in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation” (Exodus 9:23-24). We can imagine that with such natural violence it can look like the stars are falling from the sky and that hail makes the ground swampy and the torrent wild.

This spectacle is an encouragement for everyone who takes part in the battle. They say to themselves, as it also can be translated: “O my soul, trample on the strong ones.” When we see God interfering in the battle, it gives strength and courage. The expression “trample” or “march” is also translated as “tread upon their high places” (Deuteronomy 33:29) as proof of the submission of the enemy. In Judges 20 it is translated as “trod them down” (Judges 20:43). The “trampling” means breaking the enemy’s power and gaining victory.

This language is also characteristic of someone who stands in the victory of Christ. Such a person is not satisfied with half the result, but continues, until the full victory is achieved in the certainty of also achieving it. No matter how the horses’ hoofs of enemy armies beat from the dashing, the enemy will be defeated in pursuit by the brave warriors of God’s people.

(Judges 5:23) It is not known where Meroz is or has been located. It is probably a city in the middle of the area where the battle took place. This can be inferred from the heavy curse that is pronounced about Meroz. Other tribes have also been accused of not taking part in the fight, but not that serious. It may be that this distinction originates from the location of the areas. Anyone who is closer to a conflict area and sees what is happening with their own eyes has a greater responsibility than anyone who is further away and is less directly involved in the events.

A possible meaning of the name Meroz is ‘built of cedars’. This indicates something of the things they lived for. They lived in cedar palaces and lived in peace, without worrying about the condition of their brothers. They loved themselves and not the LORD. Paul says of people who do not love the Lord: “If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed” (1 Corinthians 16:22).

What Deborah says of Meroz reminds us of what the LORD says through the mouth of Haggai. He reproaches His people that they are all busy for their own house, while they are not concerned about God’s house (Haggai 1:2-4; 9). They lived for here and now.

Deborah is the mouth of the Angel of the LORD when she curses Meroz. This indifference to their brothers is seen as a renunciation of the help of the LORD in His fight against the enemy. Here we see how the LORD identifies Himself with His suffering people.

Judges 12:3

6. Jael Is Praised

(Judges 5:24) What Jael did, forms a great contrast with the attitude of Meroz in the previous verse. By juxtaposing things, the actions of the person concerned become all the clearer. We have already seen in Judges 4 what Jael’s share in the battle was (Judges 4:17-22). Here she is praised for what she has done. She towers above all the women of Israel. Her connection with Heber did not make her neutral and did not prevent her from performing her act of faith.

She is a simple housewife, like so many others, but she has distinguished herself by the courage she has shown. Once again: this is a great encouragement for every housewife. She can achieve great and decisive victories for the Lord in her own territory.

(Judges 5:25) Deborah describes how Jael acted. She acted with caution and used the means at her disposal. She put the enemy at ease. Although Sisera arrived exhausted, it was not the right moment to kill him. She recognized that. It is important to wait for the right moment to defeat the enemy. If she had acted too early, much more energy would have been needed. We may ask whether the intended result would indeed have been achieved. This exercise is necessary for all of us.

Jael doesn’t panic when the mighty enemy enters her tent. She meets his request and even gives him more than he asked. She even adapts the drinking utensils to her distinguished guest and gets him to drink out of “a magnificent bowl”. Jael’s entire behavior must have made Sisera feel he was on a safe ground. Exhausted he falls asleep. This is the moment she has waited for and without hesitation she deals with this enemy.

(Judges 5:26-27) Deborah impressively sings of the actions Jael did to kill the feared enemy. She describes it vividly, as if you are present. Something has already been said in the previous chapter about the significance of the resources she has used. Some details are added at this point. These are important because the Spirit mentions them. He wants to draw our attention to it.

Here it says that she used her “right hand” and that she took “the workmen’s hammer”. The right hand represents power. The hammer is a picture of the Word of God (Jeremiah 23:29), but the addition “workmen’s” shows that the Word must be put into practice. It also shows that you have to be simple to use it and that you do not have to belong to the ‘highly-skilled’.

What Jael does with the hammer is sung here in different words. She struck, smashed, shattered and pierced, different words for the same act. This indicates the mighty working of the Word.

The result is presented to us in the same visual way. The power of this enemy is completely broken and he is eliminated forever. He bowed, fell, and lay overpowered at the feet of a woman. Nothing remains of his former greatness and power. It is a picture of what will eventually happen to all opponents of God. We can take the faith of Jael as an example.

Judges 12:4

6. Jael Is Praised

(Judges 5:24) What Jael did, forms a great contrast with the attitude of Meroz in the previous verse. By juxtaposing things, the actions of the person concerned become all the clearer. We have already seen in Judges 4 what Jael’s share in the battle was (Judges 4:17-22). Here she is praised for what she has done. She towers above all the women of Israel. Her connection with Heber did not make her neutral and did not prevent her from performing her act of faith.

She is a simple housewife, like so many others, but she has distinguished herself by the courage she has shown. Once again: this is a great encouragement for every housewife. She can achieve great and decisive victories for the Lord in her own territory.

(Judges 5:25) Deborah describes how Jael acted. She acted with caution and used the means at her disposal. She put the enemy at ease. Although Sisera arrived exhausted, it was not the right moment to kill him. She recognized that. It is important to wait for the right moment to defeat the enemy. If she had acted too early, much more energy would have been needed. We may ask whether the intended result would indeed have been achieved. This exercise is necessary for all of us.

Jael doesn’t panic when the mighty enemy enters her tent. She meets his request and even gives him more than he asked. She even adapts the drinking utensils to her distinguished guest and gets him to drink out of “a magnificent bowl”. Jael’s entire behavior must have made Sisera feel he was on a safe ground. Exhausted he falls asleep. This is the moment she has waited for and without hesitation she deals with this enemy.

(Judges 5:26-27) Deborah impressively sings of the actions Jael did to kill the feared enemy. She describes it vividly, as if you are present. Something has already been said in the previous chapter about the significance of the resources she has used. Some details are added at this point. These are important because the Spirit mentions them. He wants to draw our attention to it.

Here it says that she used her “right hand” and that she took “the workmen’s hammer”. The right hand represents power. The hammer is a picture of the Word of God (Jeremiah 23:29), but the addition “workmen’s” shows that the Word must be put into practice. It also shows that you have to be simple to use it and that you do not have to belong to the ‘highly-skilled’.

What Jael does with the hammer is sung here in different words. She struck, smashed, shattered and pierced, different words for the same act. This indicates the mighty working of the Word.

The result is presented to us in the same visual way. The power of this enemy is completely broken and he is eliminated forever. He bowed, fell, and lay overpowered at the feet of a woman. Nothing remains of his former greatness and power. It is a picture of what will eventually happen to all opponents of God. We can take the faith of Jael as an example.

Judges 12:5

6. Jael Is Praised

(Judges 5:24) What Jael did, forms a great contrast with the attitude of Meroz in the previous verse. By juxtaposing things, the actions of the person concerned become all the clearer. We have already seen in Judges 4 what Jael’s share in the battle was (Judges 4:17-22). Here she is praised for what she has done. She towers above all the women of Israel. Her connection with Heber did not make her neutral and did not prevent her from performing her act of faith.

She is a simple housewife, like so many others, but she has distinguished herself by the courage she has shown. Once again: this is a great encouragement for every housewife. She can achieve great and decisive victories for the Lord in her own territory.

(Judges 5:25) Deborah describes how Jael acted. She acted with caution and used the means at her disposal. She put the enemy at ease. Although Sisera arrived exhausted, it was not the right moment to kill him. She recognized that. It is important to wait for the right moment to defeat the enemy. If she had acted too early, much more energy would have been needed. We may ask whether the intended result would indeed have been achieved. This exercise is necessary for all of us.

Jael doesn’t panic when the mighty enemy enters her tent. She meets his request and even gives him more than he asked. She even adapts the drinking utensils to her distinguished guest and gets him to drink out of “a magnificent bowl”. Jael’s entire behavior must have made Sisera feel he was on a safe ground. Exhausted he falls asleep. This is the moment she has waited for and without hesitation she deals with this enemy.

(Judges 5:26-27) Deborah impressively sings of the actions Jael did to kill the feared enemy. She describes it vividly, as if you are present. Something has already been said in the previous chapter about the significance of the resources she has used. Some details are added at this point. These are important because the Spirit mentions them. He wants to draw our attention to it.

Here it says that she used her “right hand” and that she took “the workmen’s hammer”. The right hand represents power. The hammer is a picture of the Word of God (Jeremiah 23:29), but the addition “workmen’s” shows that the Word must be put into practice. It also shows that you have to be simple to use it and that you do not have to belong to the ‘highly-skilled’.

What Jael does with the hammer is sung here in different words. She struck, smashed, shattered and pierced, different words for the same act. This indicates the mighty working of the Word.

The result is presented to us in the same visual way. The power of this enemy is completely broken and he is eliminated forever. He bowed, fell, and lay overpowered at the feet of a woman. Nothing remains of his former greatness and power. It is a picture of what will eventually happen to all opponents of God. We can take the faith of Jael as an example.

Judges 12:6

6. Jael Is Praised

(Judges 5:24) What Jael did, forms a great contrast with the attitude of Meroz in the previous verse. By juxtaposing things, the actions of the person concerned become all the clearer. We have already seen in Judges 4 what Jael’s share in the battle was (Judges 4:17-22). Here she is praised for what she has done. She towers above all the women of Israel. Her connection with Heber did not make her neutral and did not prevent her from performing her act of faith.

She is a simple housewife, like so many others, but she has distinguished herself by the courage she has shown. Once again: this is a great encouragement for every housewife. She can achieve great and decisive victories for the Lord in her own territory.

(Judges 5:25) Deborah describes how Jael acted. She acted with caution and used the means at her disposal. She put the enemy at ease. Although Sisera arrived exhausted, it was not the right moment to kill him. She recognized that. It is important to wait for the right moment to defeat the enemy. If she had acted too early, much more energy would have been needed. We may ask whether the intended result would indeed have been achieved. This exercise is necessary for all of us.

Jael doesn’t panic when the mighty enemy enters her tent. She meets his request and even gives him more than he asked. She even adapts the drinking utensils to her distinguished guest and gets him to drink out of “a magnificent bowl”. Jael’s entire behavior must have made Sisera feel he was on a safe ground. Exhausted he falls asleep. This is the moment she has waited for and without hesitation she deals with this enemy.

(Judges 5:26-27) Deborah impressively sings of the actions Jael did to kill the feared enemy. She describes it vividly, as if you are present. Something has already been said in the previous chapter about the significance of the resources she has used. Some details are added at this point. These are important because the Spirit mentions them. He wants to draw our attention to it.

Here it says that she used her “right hand” and that she took “the workmen’s hammer”. The right hand represents power. The hammer is a picture of the Word of God (Jeremiah 23:29), but the addition “workmen’s” shows that the Word must be put into practice. It also shows that you have to be simple to use it and that you do not have to belong to the ‘highly-skilled’.

What Jael does with the hammer is sung here in different words. She struck, smashed, shattered and pierced, different words for the same act. This indicates the mighty working of the Word.

The result is presented to us in the same visual way. The power of this enemy is completely broken and he is eliminated forever. He bowed, fell, and lay overpowered at the feet of a woman. Nothing remains of his former greatness and power. It is a picture of what will eventually happen to all opponents of God. We can take the faith of Jael as an example.

Judges 12:7

7. The Mother of Sisera Waits in Vain

(Judges 5:28) From Jael’s simple tent, our eyes are now turned to the luxurious house of Sisera. There lives a woman, a mother, but a completely different type than Jael and Deborah. Her despair is expressed in a striking way. Her son didn’t come home and she wasn’t used to that. Usually he soon came back from a fight and had the proofs of his victory with him. That he stayed away for so long could mean that he was defeated.

The mother of Sisera seemed to be free, unbound, but she was not. She sat behind ”the lattice” through which she looked at the world. This speaks of the ‘spiritual’ lattice of her thinking. She had no real freedom. So it is with all the enemies of God. They don’t think they have anything to do with anyone, while they are concerned about security measures on all sides.

The lattice, which must serve as protection, is proof of her imprisonment. She also doesn’t dare to go and meet him. She stays in her fort, because that’s what it is, no matter how luxuriously furnished it is. Fear reigns where people rely on their own thinking or on people or on things instead of God.

(Judges 5:29-30) Sisera’s mother’s questions are answered by smart ladies. Their answers are those that correspond to her own views. It are answers that should soothe the conscience: ‘You don’t have to be afraid, it will all be all right. It’s because of the big spoils they carry along. That slows down the return trip.’

It was customary for the soldiers to take beautiful girls home as trophies. The word for “girl” actually means “lap” or “womb”, which indicates that these girls had to serve to satisfy the lusts of the soldiers. The spoils of war also included beautiful and expensive clothing. The colored clothes were for Sisera, the colorful embroidery for his mother and the noblewomen. Besides satisfying the lusts, these clothes served to show everyone how great their victory was. It caressed the pride, the prestige increased. These are the characteristics of the enemy: being focused on themselves and seeking their own honor.

Let us be aware that what typifies the enemy is also present in our evil heart. We must prevent these characteristics from getting entrance with us. How? By looking at what happened to it on the cross of Calvary and what will happen to it when the Lord Jesus comes. On the cross the enemy is defeated. Yet he still wants to assert himself. He is given the opportunity to do so if we do not keep ourselves dead for sin and still let the flesh work.

When the Lord Jesus comes for the church, we will leave behind everything we have acquired through sin and flesh. None of it goes to heaven. Are we not stupid and foolish if we want to satisfy the desires of the flesh? Listen to what Deborah says in the last verse of her song.

Judges 12:8

7. The Mother of Sisera Waits in Vain

(Judges 5:28) From Jael’s simple tent, our eyes are now turned to the luxurious house of Sisera. There lives a woman, a mother, but a completely different type than Jael and Deborah. Her despair is expressed in a striking way. Her son didn’t come home and she wasn’t used to that. Usually he soon came back from a fight and had the proofs of his victory with him. That he stayed away for so long could mean that he was defeated.

The mother of Sisera seemed to be free, unbound, but she was not. She sat behind ”the lattice” through which she looked at the world. This speaks of the ‘spiritual’ lattice of her thinking. She had no real freedom. So it is with all the enemies of God. They don’t think they have anything to do with anyone, while they are concerned about security measures on all sides.

The lattice, which must serve as protection, is proof of her imprisonment. She also doesn’t dare to go and meet him. She stays in her fort, because that’s what it is, no matter how luxuriously furnished it is. Fear reigns where people rely on their own thinking or on people or on things instead of God.

(Judges 5:29-30) Sisera’s mother’s questions are answered by smart ladies. Their answers are those that correspond to her own views. It are answers that should soothe the conscience: ‘You don’t have to be afraid, it will all be all right. It’s because of the big spoils they carry along. That slows down the return trip.’

It was customary for the soldiers to take beautiful girls home as trophies. The word for “girl” actually means “lap” or “womb”, which indicates that these girls had to serve to satisfy the lusts of the soldiers. The spoils of war also included beautiful and expensive clothing. The colored clothes were for Sisera, the colorful embroidery for his mother and the noblewomen. Besides satisfying the lusts, these clothes served to show everyone how great their victory was. It caressed the pride, the prestige increased. These are the characteristics of the enemy: being focused on themselves and seeking their own honor.

Let us be aware that what typifies the enemy is also present in our evil heart. We must prevent these characteristics from getting entrance with us. How? By looking at what happened to it on the cross of Calvary and what will happen to it when the Lord Jesus comes. On the cross the enemy is defeated. Yet he still wants to assert himself. He is given the opportunity to do so if we do not keep ourselves dead for sin and still let the flesh work.

When the Lord Jesus comes for the church, we will leave behind everything we have acquired through sin and flesh. None of it goes to heaven. Are we not stupid and foolish if we want to satisfy the desires of the flesh? Listen to what Deborah says in the last verse of her song.

Judges 12:9

7. The Mother of Sisera Waits in Vain

(Judges 5:28) From Jael’s simple tent, our eyes are now turned to the luxurious house of Sisera. There lives a woman, a mother, but a completely different type than Jael and Deborah. Her despair is expressed in a striking way. Her son didn’t come home and she wasn’t used to that. Usually he soon came back from a fight and had the proofs of his victory with him. That he stayed away for so long could mean that he was defeated.

The mother of Sisera seemed to be free, unbound, but she was not. She sat behind ”the lattice” through which she looked at the world. This speaks of the ‘spiritual’ lattice of her thinking. She had no real freedom. So it is with all the enemies of God. They don’t think they have anything to do with anyone, while they are concerned about security measures on all sides.

The lattice, which must serve as protection, is proof of her imprisonment. She also doesn’t dare to go and meet him. She stays in her fort, because that’s what it is, no matter how luxuriously furnished it is. Fear reigns where people rely on their own thinking or on people or on things instead of God.

(Judges 5:29-30) Sisera’s mother’s questions are answered by smart ladies. Their answers are those that correspond to her own views. It are answers that should soothe the conscience: ‘You don’t have to be afraid, it will all be all right. It’s because of the big spoils they carry along. That slows down the return trip.’

It was customary for the soldiers to take beautiful girls home as trophies. The word for “girl” actually means “lap” or “womb”, which indicates that these girls had to serve to satisfy the lusts of the soldiers. The spoils of war also included beautiful and expensive clothing. The colored clothes were for Sisera, the colorful embroidery for his mother and the noblewomen. Besides satisfying the lusts, these clothes served to show everyone how great their victory was. It caressed the pride, the prestige increased. These are the characteristics of the enemy: being focused on themselves and seeking their own honor.

Let us be aware that what typifies the enemy is also present in our evil heart. We must prevent these characteristics from getting entrance with us. How? By looking at what happened to it on the cross of Calvary and what will happen to it when the Lord Jesus comes. On the cross the enemy is defeated. Yet he still wants to assert himself. He is given the opportunity to do so if we do not keep ourselves dead for sin and still let the flesh work.

When the Lord Jesus comes for the church, we will leave behind everything we have acquired through sin and flesh. None of it goes to heaven. Are we not stupid and foolish if we want to satisfy the desires of the flesh? Listen to what Deborah says in the last verse of her song.

Judges 12:10

8. Perish and Rise

In this verse Deborah puts the enemies and the lovers of the LORD side by side. Note the end of each group. The enemies die, like Sisera and his army. Their rule is broken and gone forever; they are humiliated and destroyed.

Deborah calls the other group “those who love Him”. These are the faithful mentioned in previous verses (Judges 5:13; 14; 15; 18). Their love for God and for His cause is expressed in the love they had for the cause of His people. It is easy to say that you love God. But you may only say so, if it is your sincere desire to show this in your actions, your whole behavior and attitude. Different tribes have clearly shown this in this chapter.

Whoever loves Him in this way, is compared to “the rising of the sun in its might”. The sun shines its light and makes it day. This is a wonderful reference to the Lord Jesus. He is called “the sun of righteousness” (Malachi 4:2). He uses His light to expel the darkness from our lives, from all those areas where uncertainty or sin make our lives dark. The time to which Malachi refers is the time when the Lord Jesus will reign over the earth as the Son of Man. For one thousand years He will make sure that sin on earth does not have a chance to cause the misery that still exists today.

But He already wants to do that now in the lives of those who love Him. They may be “like” the sun. They may look like Him and increase therein, just as the sun increases in might. This will be a blessing to others, just as there is blessing for everyone when the Lord Jesus rules over the earth. However, there is still resistance and enmity. It will not be there anymore when He reigns.

A topic for further study is the following. The expression “who love Him (or God or Me)” still occurs a few times. Always something else is connected to it, like here the rising sun: Psalms 145:20; Proverbs 8:17; Romans 8:28; 1 Corinthians 2:9; James 1:12; James 2:5. In response to these Scriptures, the reader can think about this special expression for himself.

Judges 12:12

Introduction

Gideon is not a deliverer about whom only one verse is written, as about Shamgar. Nor is he a deliverer standing in the shadow of a woman, like Barak. In Gideon we have a deliverer who is raised up and trained by God Himself. In contrast to the above mentioned judges, Gideon enables us to see his personal exercises and how he is led to align with God’s thoughts.

God goes to work with Gideon. With wisdom and patience He makes Gideon an instrument that He can use to bless His people. The way God deals with Gideon is an example of how God prepares everyone who knows and loves Him and desires to serve Him to perform a service for Him. This service does not consist of a one-off action, but of a whole life of service.

Given Into the Hands of Midian

After forty years of rest, it again happens. A new generation has emerged in Israel. For them, God’s interference with His people in the past is nothing but a thing of the past. This new generation is no better than their fathers. They also do what is evil in the sight of the LORD. Again God must let His discipline come upon the people. He loves them too much to let them go on the wrong path.

God wants to deal with His people. He would like to tell them what lives in His heart for them. He would also like them to tell Him what is in their hearts for Him. How it must grieve God to see His people react to all His love in this way. He wants to instruct and teach His people through their fellowship with Him. If they don’t want to, He must instruct and teach them through the hands of an enemy.

This time God uses Midian. Midian is a family people of Israel. They are connected with each other through Abraham. Midian is a son of Abraham and Ketura (Genesis 25:1-2). Seven years, which speaks of a complete period, the Israelites sigh under this domination. The name Midian means ‘strife’. Is this enemy not recognizable in the lives of many deviated Christians? Is he not also present in communities of faith where people are at odds with each other? In the following verses we see the effect of this.

Judges 12:13

In the Dens, the Caves and the Strongholds

Never before had the Israelites sunk so deeply. They are forced to be vagrants and refugees in their own land and they lose their freedom. This is the result when God’s people no longer appreciate the things of God. The people are scattered, each digs his own hiding place, there is no unity anymore.

In a community of Christians where people can no longer enjoy together the blessings that God has given, where people no longer listen together to the Bible, quarrels and struggles easily prevail. Instead of looking at the Lord Jesus together, they look at each other. In doing so, one does not try to discover anything of the Lord Jesus in each other, but is annoyed by each other. The relationships can then become so clouded that there is no longer any trust in each other.

Instead of friendship, openness, trust, freedom, we keep our mouth shut and avoid each other. Suspicion comes and whispers behind the hand. They have buried themselves in their own positions, the dens and caves and the strongholds. It will be a trench war. The end is that people bite and devour each other (Galatians 5:15). In this way the beauty of the Christian fellowship is corrupted and long-term friendships are broken. Lives embitter and faith communities explode.

Judges 12:14

When Israel Had Sown

The enemy knows exactly when he has to come: when Israel has sown. He will do everything he can to prevent the sown from rising, so that there is no food for the people and they become powerless. To weaken the believer, satan does his utmost to deprive him of his food. Through all kinds of things he keeps him from reading the Bible or to go to meetings to be build up in the faith. He knows very well what means he can use with every member of God’s people, drawing from a great arsenal.

The Midianites don’t come alone. Amalek is also there. Amalek is a picture of the flesh. These two enemies always go hand in hand. In Galatians 5, one of the deeds, or the works, of the flesh is called “strife” (Galatians 5:19-20). Consequently, a multitude of all kinds of evil goes along, which we see represented in “the sons of the east”. Satan mobilizes all his powers to prevent a believer from collecting anything from the fruits of the land.

Judges 12:15

No Sheep, Ox, or Donkey

Gaza is a Philistine place. Here, as elsewhere, the Philistines make themselves one with the enemies of Israel. Gaza is a large warehouse for stolen goods brought there by the Midianites. So the proceeds of the land end up in Philistine hands.

We have seen before that Philistines represent nominal Christians, people who claim to belong to the people of God, but do not belong to them because they have no life from God. They claim the fruit of the land, the spiritual blessing, for themselves, while they rob it from those who truly form the people of God. This can only happen by the unfaithfulness of God’s people, the church, because they do not live in what God has given. The joint enemies ensure that nothing remains for God’s people to live from. As a result, there is no power.

What is left of the church when it comes to her testimony in the world? We see it in the book of Acts. How powerful is her witness in the beginning. But that power has disappeared. One of the reasons for this is that in professing Christianity the Bible is no longer presented to Christians as the real food. People who do not possess the Spirit have ‘conquered’ the Bible and explain it according to their own insights. Another cause is that Christians themselves are not open to the pure Word of God. Paul warns Timothy that there will come a time “when they will not endure sound doctrine; but [wanting] to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires” (2 Timothy 4:3).

Thus, “no sustenance in Israel as well as no sheep, ox, or donkey” is left. If the Bible no longer contains food for the Christian, it is over with the sacrifice, of which sheep and ox speak, and the service for the Lord, of which the donkey speaks.