Judges 5:12-22 Awake, awake, Deborah: awake, awake, utter a song: arise, Barak, and lead your captivity captive, you son of Abinoam.… I. THE CAUSE OF TRUE RELIGION IS EMINENTLY AND EMPHATICALLY THE CAUSE OF GOD. 1. It was His cause; for — (1) It had the sanction of His express command. (2) God's hand was in it. 2. We have in view, under the blessing of God, the evangelisation of all mankind; and this is unquestionably the cause of God. (1) For God has commanded that the evangelisation of the world should be attempted by His people. (2) For God's honour is greatly involved in the success of it. Idolatry, in all its various forms, is a direct attack on God's supremacy and sovereignty. (3) In this cause we have the promise of God's presence and blessing. II. IN CARRYING ON THIS GREAT WORK GOD HAS BEEN PLEASED TO DEMAND AND TO BLESS HUMAN EFFORTS. In the case before us the power of God was supernaturally exerted. The stars in their courses, the swelling of the river, the thunder and the tempest, were all effects of supernatural interposition. But, even in that age of miracles, these supernatural means were not intended to supersede those means which were ordinary. Deborah and Barak exerted themselves to the utmost; and, with many others, were required to come up to the help of the Lord, to the help of the God of miracles. And similar is the case as to the conversion of the world to Christianity. God "gave some, apostles; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." It was by the instrumentality of holy, enlightened, zealous missionaries that our own country first received the glad tidings of salvation; it was through their agency that our rude ancestors were induced to change Thor and Woden, and all their bloody rites and awful abominations, for the simple and holy truths of the gospel. And the work we have to do must be done by the same agency. Ambassadors must be sent to the heathen, and they must declare God's message, trusting in His power and help. This is the established order of God, that they who love His cause should help it by their various instrumentality. III. THE CALLS OF GOD TO ENGAGE IN THIS CAUSE EXPERIENCE A VERY VARIOUS RECEPTION FROM THOSE TO WHOM THEY ARE ADDRESSED. 1. Some are hearty in the cause of God. 2. Others cherish a spirit of indolence and carelessness. IV. GOD TAKES ESPECIAL NOTICE OF THE CONDUCT OF HIS PEOPLE IN REFERENCE TO THE DEMAND MADE UPON THEM FOR THIS CAUSE; AND HE MAKES AN IMPORTANT DISTINCTION IN HIS CONDUCT TOWARDS THOSE WHO COME FORWARD, OR REFUSE TO COME FORWARD, IN HIS CAUSE. Those who refused to come forward are recorded as infamous, and are covered with everlasting disgrace; those who came forward are mentioned with distinguished honour, and were no doubt blessed ever afterwards. For God will be no man's debtor; He may make us wait for payment, but, such is His condescension and grace, He will be in no man's debt. Come up to the help of the Lord, and you shall have the approbation of Almighty God. Come up to the help of the Lord, and you will gain the esteem and good wishes of your fellow-Christians and ministers, who, when they see their humble efforts are not unfruitful, but that you are becoming complete in every good word and work, will gladly spend and be spent in your service. Come up to the help of the Lord against His enemies, and you shall have the increasing influence of God to render beneficial all the means you enjoy. Come up to the help of the Lord, and your happiness shall increase, your consolations shall abound — you shall be blessed in the Lord. Come up to the help of the Lord against the mighty, and you shall have the satisfaction of knowing that your labour is not in vain. For the Word of the Lord shall not return unto Him void. You shall reap in due season, if you faint not. (J. Bunting, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Awake, awake, Deborah: awake, awake, utter a song: arise, Barak, and lead thy captivity captive, thou son of Abinoam. |
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