On that day God subdued Jabin king of Canaan before the Israelites. On that dayThis phrase marks a specific moment in time, emphasizing the immediacy and significance of the events that transpired. In the Hebrew context, "that day" often signifies a divine intervention or a pivotal moment orchestrated by God. It is a reminder of God's perfect timing and His sovereignty over history. The phrase sets the stage for the unfolding of God's deliverance and victory for Israel. God subdued
The Hebrew root for "subdued" is "kana," which means to bring into subjection or to humble. This word choice underscores the divine power and authority of God over the enemies of Israel. It is not by human might or strategy that victory is achieved, but by the hand of God. This serves as a powerful reminder of the biblical truth that God is the ultimate warrior and deliverer for His people. Jabin king of Canaan
Jabin represents the oppressive forces that have held Israel in bondage. Historically, Jabin was a Canaanite king who reigned in Hazor, a significant city in northern Canaan. The mention of Jabin highlights the historical and geographical context of the narrative, reminding readers of the real and tangible threats faced by the Israelites. It also serves as a symbol of the spiritual battles believers face against the forces of darkness. before the Israelites
This phrase indicates the beneficiaries of God's intervention. The Israelites, God's chosen people, are the recipients of His deliverance. It emphasizes the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where God acts on behalf of His people. This relationship is a central theme throughout the Bible, illustrating God's faithfulness and commitment to His promises. before the Israelites
The repetition of this phrase underscores the public nature of God's victory. It was not a hidden or private event but a demonstration of God's power and faithfulness witnessed by the entire nation. This public display serves to strengthen the faith of the Israelites and to remind them of God's continual presence and protection. Persons / Places / Events 1. GodThe sovereign Lord who orchestrates the events and delivers His people. In this verse, God is the primary actor who subdues Jabin. 2. JabinThe king of Canaan, representing the oppressive force against Israel. His defeat signifies the liberation of the Israelites from Canaanite oppression. 3. IsraelitesThe people of God who are delivered from their enemies. Their victory is a testament to God's faithfulness and power. 4. CanaanThe land where Jabin ruled, often representing opposition to God's people in the Old Testament account. 5. Deborah and BarakThough not mentioned in this specific verse, they are key figures in the chapter who lead Israel to victory under God's guidance. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in DeliveranceGod is the ultimate deliverer, and His power is unmatched. Just as He subdued Jabin, He can overcome any obstacle in our lives. Faithfulness in LeadershipDeborah and Barak's faithfulness to God's command led to victory. We are called to be faithful in our roles, trusting in God's guidance. Victory Through Divine InterventionThe Israelites' victory was not by their might but by God's intervention. We should rely on God's strength rather than our own abilities. God's Faithfulness to His PromisesGod promised to deliver Israel, and He fulfilled that promise. We can trust that God will be faithful to His promises in our lives. Overcoming OppressionJust as God delivered Israel from Jabin's oppression, He can deliver us from spiritual and personal oppression today. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the victory over Jabin in Judges 4:23 demonstrate God's sovereignty and power? 2. In what ways can we see God's hand at work in our own lives, similar to His intervention for the Israelites? 3. How do the roles of Deborah and Barak in this chapter encourage us to be faithful leaders in our communities? 4. What are some modern-day "Jabins" or oppressive forces that we face, and how can we rely on God for deliverance? 5. How does the account of Israel's deliverance in Judges 4:23 connect with the broader biblical theme of God as a deliverer? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 14:30This verse describes God delivering Israel from the Egyptians, similar to how He delivers them from Jabin in Judges 4:23. Both instances highlight God's power to save His people from oppressive forces. Psalm 44:3This psalm reflects on how it was not by their own sword that the Israelites won the land, but by God's hand, paralleling the divine intervention seen in Judges 4:23. Romans 8:31This New Testament verse speaks to the assurance that if God is for us, who can be against us, echoing the victory and divine support seen in Judges 4:23. People Abinoam, Barak, Deborah, Ehud, Heber, Hobab, Israelites, Jabin, Jael, Kenites, Lapidoth, Naphtali, Sisera, ZebulunPlaces Bethel, Canaan, Harosheth-hagoyim, Hazor, Kedesh, Kedesh-naphtali, Kishon River, Moab, Mount Tabor, Ramah, ZaanannimTopics Canaan, Canaanite, Humbleth, Israelites, Jabin, Overcame, Sons, SubduedDictionary of Bible Themes Judges 4:23 6634 deliverance Judges 4:23-24 5354 invasions Library Sin Slain
I want to picture to you to-night, if I can, three acts in a great history--three different pictures illustrating one subject. I trust we have passed through all three of them, many of us; and as we shall look upon them, whilst I paint them upon the wall, I think there will be many here who will be able to say, I was in that state once;" and when we come to the last, I hope we shall be able to clap our hands, and rejoice to feel that the last is our case also, and that we are in the plight of the …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 6: 1860Whether the Grace of the Word of Wisdom and Knowledge is Becoming to Women?
Objection 1: It would seem that the grace of the word of wisdom and knowledge is becoming even to women. For teaching is pertinent to this grace, as stated in the foregoing Article. Now it is becoming to a woman to teach; for it is written (Prov. 4:3,4): "I was an only son in the sight of my mother, and she taught me [*Vulg.: 'I was my father's son, tender, and as an only son in the sight of my mother. And he taught me.']." Therefore this grace is becoming to women. Objection 2: Further, the grace …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica The First Blast of the Trumpet
The English Scholar's Library etc. No. 2. The First Blast of the Trumpet &c. 1558. The English Scholar's Library of Old and Modern Works. No. 2. The First Blast of the Trumpet &c. 1558. Edited by EDWARD ARBER, F.S.A., etc., LECTURER IN ENGLISH LITERATURE, ETC., UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, LONDON. SOUTHGATE, LONDON, N. 15 August 1878. No. 2. (All rights reserved.) CONTENTS. Bibliography vii-viii Introduction …
John Knox—The First Blast of the Trumpet A Nation's Struggle for a Home and Freedom.
ISRAEL'S VICTORIES OVER THE CANAANITES.--Josh. 2-9; Judg. 1, 4, 5. Parallel Readings. Hist. Bible II,1-4.1. Prin. of Politics X. That the leaders took the lead in Israel, That the people volunteered readily, Bless Jehovah! Zebulun was a people who exposed themselves to deadly peril, And Naphtali on the heights of the open field. Kings came, they fought; They fought, the kings of Canaan, At Taanach by the Waters of Megiddo, They took no booty of silver. Prom heaven fought the stars, From their …
Charles Foster Kent—The Making of a Nation Gamala. Chorazin.
These things determine the situation of Gamala:--1. It was "in lower Gaulon," in which, as we have seen, Bethsaida was. 2. It was "upon the lake [of Gennesaret]." 3. It was "over-against Tarichee." Compare the maps, whether in their placing of it they agree with these passages. Here was Judas born, commonly called 'Gaulanites,' and as commonly also, the 'Galilean.' So Peter and Andrew and Philip were Gaulanites; of Bethsaida, John 1:44; and yet they were called 'Galileans.' While we are speaking …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Blessings of Noah Upon Shem and Japheth. (Gen. Ix. 18-27. )
Ver. 20. "And Noah began and became an husbandman, and planted vineyards."--This does not imply that Noah was the first who began to till the ground, and, more especially, to cultivate the vine; for Cain, too, was a tiller of the ground, Gen. iv. 2. The sense rather is, that Noah, after the flood, again took up this calling. Moreover, the remark has not an independent import; it serves only to prepare the way for the communication of the subsequent account of Noah's drunkenness. By this remark, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Beth-El. Beth-Aven.
Josephus thus describes the land of Benjamin; "The Benjamites' portion of land was from the river Jordan to the sea, in length: in breadth, it was bounded by Jerusalem and Beth-el." Let these last words be marked, "The breadth of the land of Benjamin was bounded by Jerusalem and Beth-el." May we not justly conclude, from these words, that Jerusalem and Beth-el were opposite, as it were, in a right line? But if you look upon the maps, there are some that separate these by a very large tract of land, …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica A Cloud of Witnesses.
"By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was a-dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.... By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days. By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient, …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews The Mountainous Country of Judea.
"What is the mountainous country of Judea? It is the king's mountain." However Judea, here and there, doth swell out much with mountains, yet its chief swelling appears in that broad back of mountains, that runs from the utmost southern cost as far as Hebron, and almost as Jerusalem itself. Which the Holy Scripture called "The hill-country of Judah," Joshua 21:11; Luke 1:39. Unless I am very much mistaken,--the maps of Adricomus, Tirinius, and others, ought to be corrected, which have feigned to …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Country of Jericho, and the Situation of the City.
Here we will borrow Josephus' pencil, "Jericho is seated in a plain, yet a certain barren mountain hangs over it, narrow, indeed, but long; for it runs out northward to the country of Scythopolis,--and southward, to the country of Sodom, and the utmost coast of the Asphaltites." Of this mountain mention is made, Joshua 2:22, where the two spies, sent by Joshua, and received by Rahab, are said to "conceal themselves." "Opposite against this, lies a mountain on the other side Jordan, beginning from …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica He Does Battle for the Faith; He Restores Peace among those who were at Variance; He Takes in Hand to Build a Stone Church.
57. (32). There was a certain clerk in Lismore whose life, as it is said, was good, but his faith not so. He was a man of some knowledge in his own eyes, and dared to say that in the Eucharist there is only a sacrament and not the fact[718] of the sacrament, that is, mere sanctification and not the truth of the Body. On this subject he was often addressed by Malachy in secret, but in vain; and finally he was called before a public assembly, the laity however being excluded, in order that if it were …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh Miscellaneous Subjects.
Woman's Freedom. The Scriptural right for women to labor in the gospel as exhorters, teachers, preachers, etc., is questioned by many. To deny women such a privilege is contrary to the Christian spirit of equality, and a serious obstruction to pure gospel light. We (male and female) are all one in Christ Jesus. Gal. 3:28. In the kingdom of grace man and woman are on an equal footing so far as concerns the work of God. To explain some texts that seem to prohibit women from laboring in the gospel …
Charles Ebert Orr—The Gospel Day Judges
For the understanding of the early history and religion of Israel, the book of Judges, which covers the period from the death of Joshua to the beginning of the struggle with the Philistines, is of inestimable importance; and it is very fortunate that the elements contributed by the later editors are so easily separated from the ancient stories whose moral they seek to point. That moral is most elaborately stated in ii. 6-iii. 6, which is a sort of programme or preface to iii. 7-xvi. 31, which constitutes …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Judges 4:23 NIVJudges 4:23 NLTJudges 4:23 ESVJudges 4:23 NASBJudges 4:23 KJV
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