So let all thine enemies perish, O Lord: but let them that love him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. And the land had rest forty years. (Judges 5:31)
The striking word in this passage is “so.” It brings the whole drama before our eyes again-the proud confidence of the Canaanites, the terrific onslaught of the Hebrews, the terror of the rout, the fleeing Sisera, his death at the hand of a woman, the anxiety of his mother. The song ends with the expressed desire that with like finality all the enemies of God may perish—as indeed they will eventually.
The fearful slaughter of the enemy described in this chapter must be understood in the light of the age in which the events occurred. For a further consideration of the problem see on Deut. 14:26.
As the sun.
The glorious picture here presented of those who love and serve the Lord is reflected by the prophets Isaiah (ch. 60:1), Daniel (ch. 12:3), and Malachi (ch. 4:2; cf. GC 632). Christ Himself used similar language to describe those who become citizens of the kingdom (Matt. 13:43). John saw an angel ascending from the east, like the sun, with the seal of God to affix upon those prepared to receive it (Rev. 7:2, 3). Those sealed by this angel “appeared as if the sun had just risen from behind a cloud and shone upon their countenances, causing them to look triumphant, as if their victories were nearly won” (EW 89).
Land had rest.
How fitting it would have been if the people, in this period of rest, had walked in the ways of the Lord. There is a lesson for the church of God today. In this time of comparative peace, we are challenged to live up to the light of present truth, and thereby hasten the finishing of God’s work and the consummation of the glorious destiny of the remnant people.