And the Lord discomfited Sisera— Though the expression in the text may be well understood according to the Scripture idiom, without any miraculous interposition; yet it is generally supposed, from the signification of the original word ויהם vayaham, (which imports a terror by the noise of thunder and lightning; see Schultens Orig. Heb. lib. 1: p. 140.) that the Lord interposed miraculously: see 1 Samuel 7:10. Joshua 10:10.; and something of this kind seems to be acknowledged by Deborah in her song, Judges 4:20. Josephus, who is of this opinion, greatly aggrandizes the affair. He says, that as soon as the armies were engaged, there arose a prodigious tempest of hail and rain, which drove in the faces of the Canaanites, and occasioned a total rout of them. See Antiq. lib. 5: cap. 5.
REFLECTIONS.—Barak, at Deborah's command, having quickly raised the ten thousand men, chiefly out of the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali, encamped on mount Tabor; and Deborah, according to her promise, accompanied him. Sisera is soon informed of these military preparations, either by the Canaanites or the Kenites, who lately removed into this part of the country out of Judah, and were at peace with Jabin. He immediately collects his army, with his nine hundred chariots of iron, in which his strength lay, and against which ten thousand footmen were a very unequal match. When the armies were thus encamped, the one at the brook beneath, and the other in the mountain above;
1. Deborah issues the order for the battle to begin. Barak and the people might well tremble at the sight before them; but she assures them that they need not fear; God is with them, and this very day should they see his great salvation. The victory is already won, since God has promised it. Note; If God be for us, let us never fear who are against us.
2. Barak obeys. He trusts not to his encampment on the mountain, nor waits there to be attacked; but, trusting on the divine promise, boldly descends. Struck with a panic fear, the army of Sisera dares not to abide his coming, but, discomfited of God, seek in vain by flight to save themselves from the sword of Barak. Note; (1.) They who go forth in faith must return victorious. (2.) When God pursues the sinner, flight is vain.
3. A total overthrow is given to these numerous hosts. They are pursued to the very gates of their city, and not a man spared from the sword: both chariots and horses are fallen, and Sisera alone escapes on foot, only to fall more ignominiously in the tent of Jael. Note; (1.) When God begins in earnest with his enemies, he will also make an end. (2.) We do well to prosecute our successes against our corruptions, and quicken our diligence the more we prevail against them.