One Cry Away
Judges 4:1-3
The Israelites again did what was evil in the sight of the LORD after Ehud had died. So the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. The commander of his forces was Sisera who lived in Harosheth of the Nations. Then the Israelites cried out to the LORD, because Jabin had 900 iron chariots, and he harshly oppressed them 20 years.
Ehud was a judge in Israel who freed the Israelites from Moabite rule. His successor, Shamgar, had freed them from Philistine oppression. Still, the nation did not learn from the hard lessons they faced by turning from God and following evil paths. As Judges 1 reveals, they did what was right in their own eyes and disregarded God’s word. God decided to sell them into the hand of Jabin, king of Canaan. This meant that Jabin had all rights to them and could do what he wanted. They no longer belonged to God, and His hand of protection and blessing were not upon them. What a scary place to be!
Jabin is derived from a Hebrew word meaning “trodden” or “threshing floor.” His name may have been a title, rather than a personal name. God had given them over to a king that was sure to trample them until they submitted to his purposes. Jabin reined in Hazor, a village once defeated which had recovered to new power. Jabin subjected the Israelites to his commander, Sisera. While the meaning of his name is unclear, we know he lived in Harosheth, which means “mechanical” or “carving, cutting.” Quite possibly, this was a place where idols were formed and fashioned. They may also have been in the chariot making business since Jabin had 900 iron chariots, which he used to harshly oppress the Israelites for 20 years.
These iron chariots were very intimidating vehicles and weapons of that day. The wheels of the chariots had sharp points protruding from the wheels and were very fast. If caught in their path, death was imminent. The fact that Jabin had 900 of them signifies an army. The Israelites found themselves in a place where they were being trampled with oppression, and they could not run. There was no way out. To submit to Canaanite rule meant slavery and hardship, but to try to escape meant death. What were they to do? In a time of desperation, they once again cried out to God.
Realize that turning from God will drive you into a hard place. You cannot survive without His protection or His blessing. Old enemies once defeated can rise to new power in our lives if we give them a foothold or begin to compromise. As Christians, we have His promise that He will never leave us or forsake us. He will not sell us to a king who will trample us! If we find ourselves in such a place, we have gone there on our own free will. We need only to cry out to Him. We still belong to Christ because He purchased us with His blood. The enemy has no right to us. Matthew 18 assures us that Jesus will leave 99 safe sheep just to find one who has strayed. You are only a cry away from His care!
Have a blessed day!