Judges 4:1 - Meaning and Application

Here we see, first, Israel turning away from God again. They did what was evil in his sight, left his service, and worshiped idols, because this was the sin that most easily trapped them (Judges 4:1). This shows how strong human corruption is. Even after repeated proof of sin’s deadly results, people still rush into it, and the pull to turn back is hard to restrain.

We also see the danger of a long time of peace. The land had rest for eighty years, and that should have strengthened their faith. Instead, it made them careless and self-indulgent, and they gave room to the lusts that false worship encouraged. Prosperity often ruins foolish people. Jeshurun, a name for Israel, grew fat and kicked.

Another loss came when good leaders died. The line can be read as, “They did evil because Ehud was dead.” Ehud, Israel’s judge and deliverer, had kept a close watch on them, checked idolatry, and held them to God’s service. But when he was gone, they fell away. They feared him more than they feared God.

Next, Israel was oppressed by their enemies. When they left God, he left them to their oppressors, and they became easy prey for every attacker. They acted as if God were no longer theirs, and then he treated them as no longer under his care. Those who push themselves out of God’s service also push themselves out of his protection.

So the Lord sold them into the hand of Jabin (Judges 4:2). This was Jabin, king of Hazor, the same royal line as an earlier Jabin whom Joshua had defeated and whose city he burned (Joshua 11:1, Joshua 11:10). Over time, Hazor was rebuilt, its power returned, and its king rose again to oppress Israel. Their punishment became longer and harsher than the earlier troubles.

Jabin and his commander Sisera heavily crushed Israel. The burden was worse because this enemy was close by, right in their borders. He was also one of the native people of the land, so he carried a deep hatred for Israel, who had taken his people’s place. And these Canaanites had once been conquered and were meant to serve Israel, according to the old curse on Canaan (Genesis 9:25). If Israel’s own laziness, fear, and unbelief had not let them rise again, they could never have hurt them like this.

Then Israel returned to the Lord. They cried out to him when trouble drove them there and they saw no other help. Those who ignore God in good times often find they must seek him when suffering comes.