Judg. V. 31. So let all thine enemies perish, 0 Lord : hut let them, that love him he as the sun when he goeth forth in his might.
OF the victories gained by God's ancient people, many are so incredible, that we could never believe the histories that record them, if we did not know those histories to have been written by holy men, under the direction and inspiration of the Holy Ghost. The destruction of a mighty army by means of trum- pets, and lamps in broken pitchers, seems altogether
fabulous : yet was this effected by Gideon, in con- formity with the direction given him, and in depen- dence upon God, The overthrow of Jabin the king of Canaan, by ten thousand men under the command of a woman, was scarcely less miraculous, especially if we consider to what a low state the whole king- dom of Israel was reduced, and how exceeding powerful was the army of their oppressors : yet was Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, routed by this little band, and not so much as a single individual of that mighty host survived the contests The hymn of thanksgiving, wherein Deborah celebrated this wonderful event, is recorded in the chapter before us ; and she closes it with a prayer,
I. For the destruction of all God's enemies —
Imprecations, when personal and vindictive, are contrary to the mind of God : but when uttered as denunciations of God's determined purpose, they are not unsuited to the most holy character. Even St. Paul said, " If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be anathema maran-atha*"." Thus, in imprecating destruction on God's enemies, Deborah must be understood to express,
1. Her approbation of it as just —
[Who does not see, that those who rise in rebellion against their God, deserve punishment ? There is not a crea- ture suffering vmder the displeasure of the Most High, who must not say, " True and righteous are thy judgments, Lord God Almighty''."]
2. Her desire of it as good —
[The Law of God, which denounces a curse against every transgression, is declared to be " holy and just and good^." In like manner, all considerate men are agreed in acknowledging it a blessing to live under laws wisely enacted and faithfully administered. What though the execution of the laws prove fatal to some? it is a benefit to the community, who are thereby enabled to live in peaceful security. So the execution of God's laws proves doubtless terrible to those who are called to sustain his vengeance ; yet to the whole universe is it the
« Judg. iv. 16. »> 1 Cor. xvi. 22.
= Rev. XV. 3. ^ Rom. vii. 12.