Jdg 4:1-24 And Deborah,…Judged Israel at That Time

[Study Aired March 15, 2021]

Jdg 4:1  And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, when Ehud was dead. 
Jdg 4:2  And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host was Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles. 
Jdg 4:3  And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel. 
Jdg 4:4  And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time. 
Jdg 4:5  And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment. 
Jdg 4:6  And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun? 
Jdg 4:7  And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand. 
Jdg 4:8  And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go. 
Jdg 4:9  And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh. 
Jdg 4:10  And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh; and he went up with ten thousand men at his feet: and Deborah went up with him. 
Jdg 4:11  Now Heber the Kenite, which was of the children of Hobab the father in law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent unto the plain of Zaanaim, which is by Kedesh. 
Jdg 4:12  And they shewed Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam was gone up to mount Tabor. 
Jdg 4:13  And Sisera gathered together all his chariots, even nine hundred chariots of iron, and all the people that were with him, from Harosheth of the Gentiles unto the river of Kishon. 
Jdg 4:14  And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this is the day in which the LORD hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the LORD gone out before thee? So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him. 
Jdg 4:15  And the LORD discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his host, with the edge of the sword before Barak; so that Sisera lighted down off his chariot, and fled away on his feet. 
Jdg 4:16  But Barak pursued after the chariots, and after the host, unto Harosheth of the Gentiles: and all the host of Sisera fell upon the edge of the sword; and there was not a man left. 
Jdg 4:17  Howbeit Sisera fled away on his feet to the tent of Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite: for there was peace between Jabin the king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite. 
Jdg 4:18  And Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said unto him, Turn in, my lord, turn in to me; fear not. And when he had turned in unto her into the tent, she covered him with a mantle. 
Jdg 4:19  And he said unto her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water to drink; for I am thirsty. And she opened a bottle of milk, and gave him drink, and covered him. 
Jdg 4:20  Again he said unto her, Stand in the door of the tent, and it shall be, when any man doth come and enquire of thee, and say, Is there any man here? that thou shalt say, No. 
Jdg 4:21  Then Jael Heber’s wife took a nail of the tent, and took an hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground: for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died. 
Jdg 4:22  And, behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said unto him, Come, and I will shew thee the man whom thou seekest. And when he came into her tent, behold, Sisera lay dead, and the nail was in his temples. 
Jdg 4:23  So God subdued on that day Jabin the king of Canaan before the children of Israel. 
Jdg 4:24  And the hand of the children of Israel prospered, and prevailed against Jabin the king of Canaan, until they had destroyed Jabin king of Canaan. 

As we are aware, the Book of Judges is about Israel’s disobedience in not ridding the land of Canaan of those living in the land and how God used the disobedience to judge them and, in the end, deliver them from bondage.

Since the scriptures were written for our admonition, we are to pay attention to these cycles of bondage and liberations as they teach us how to war.

We need to remember the recurring phrase that sums up the Book of Judges – that is, “In those days, there was no king in Israel and everyone did what was right in their own eyes” (Jdg 21:25). What this means is that if Jesus, our King, is not on the throne of our hearts as king, then we are under bondage to the old man and therefore we end up going through cycles of bondage and liberation just like the Israelites.

Jdg 21:25  In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes. 

In this review, we are going to look at a kind of judge that was different from all the other judges spoken of in the Book of Judges – a woman named Deborah. She came on the scene following Israel’s disobedience as follows:

Jdg 4:1  And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, when Ehud was dead. 

The death of a judge (in this case, Ehud) signifies the time period when there is absence of the fiery words of the elect which is able to save us. That is the period, when the word of the Lord is precious (rare) as described in the Book of Samuel. As a result there are no open visions which are the divine revelation that will show us how to deal with sin. Where there is absence of the fiery words of God, false doctrines prevail which sends us back into sin and bondage, as was the case with the Israelites. These false doctrines are the great swelling words spoken of by Peter and Jude which bring us into bondage.

1Sa 3:1  And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.

2Pe 2:18  For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 

Jud 1:16  These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage. 

Jdg 4:2  And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host was Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles. 

The Israelites came under bondage with Jabin, King of the Canaan as the chief tormentor. In order to understand the kind of bondage we find ourselves in at a certain stage of our walk with Christ, as described in verse 2, we need to look at the meaning of the name Jabin, who was King of Canaan. According to Strong’s definition, the name Jabin means intelligent. Intelligence has to do with human or worldly wisdom. In the scriptures, there are two types of wisdom – Godly wisdom and worldly wisdom. We are enjoined to seek Godly wisdom which is the fear of God. On the contrary, the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the sight of God.

1Co 1:20  Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 

1Co 2:6  Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 

So the type of bondage the Israelites went into under Jabin spiritually signifies being in bondage to worldly wisdom. What this worldly wisdom entails is shown in the scriptures as follows:

Jas 3:13  Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 
Jas 3:14  But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 
Jas 3:15  This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 
Jas 3:16  For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 
Jas 3:17  But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 

So being in bondage to worldly wisdom includes everything that we do which is a lie against the truth.  This includes envy, strife, etc. James says that where worldly wisdom rules our lives, there is confusion and every evil work. That is the same as being in Babylon as the name Babylon means confusion, because it is in Babylon that we have the habitation of devils and the hold of every foul spirit. The foul spirit and habitation of devils all represent the false doctrines we’ve imbibed and cause us to rebel against our Lord, thinking we are serving Him.

Rev 18:2  And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. 

Jdg 4:3  And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel. 

First, let’s talk about the significance of the twenty years oppression under Jabin. In the scriptures the number twenty signifies the beginning of maturity as we are now ready to become enlisted in the Lord’s army to war against the enemies of our land.

Num 1:20  And the children of Reuben, Israel’s eldest son, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

Num 1:22  Of the children of Simeon, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, those that were numbered of them, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

Based on this, we can say that the twenty years oppression of the Israelites by Jabin is a period in our lives that we are ruled by worldly wisdom which shows itself in lying against the truth through our walk. Being dominated by worldly wisdom is a formidable enemy within to deal with as shown by the use of iron by the Canaanites – nine hundred chariots of iron.  The number 900 can be broken down as 9x10x10. The number nine means judgment, and the number ten is about the flesh, so what this means is that we are being judged in the flesh.  This is good news because if we are being judged in the flesh, because then we will not encounter the second death in the lake of fire. Verse 3 also mentioned that Jabin oppressed them mightily. The use of the word mightily means that this type of judgment is intense. However, the end product of this oppression or judgment is that we start to mature and are ready to war against the flesh as signified by the number twenty.

1Pe 4:17  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 

Rev 2:11  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

Our fiery trials will cause us to cry for deliverance, and God always makes a way. In this case, God gave the Israelites a female judge called Deborah as follows:

Jdg 4:4  And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time. 
Jdg 4:5  And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment. 

All the judges mentioned in the Book of Judges are men except for Deborah.  This was the first time that a woman has played a key role as a judge and is therefore significant. As we are aware, a good woman signifies the church or the elect, and therefore verse 4 is to assure us that we, the elect, shall judge the world and angels together with Christ if we are able to overcome in this life. This is because God has shown us in His word that there is nothing new under the sun, and what will be is what has been.

Eph 5:23  For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 

1Co 6:2  Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 
1Co 6:3  Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? 

Ecc 1:9  The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. 

A significant part of Deborah’s story which many have not observed is that, unlike the other judges, she ministered under a palm tree as shown in verse 5. In the scriptures, the palm tree symbolizes the elect. Thus, Deborah was serving under the umbrella of the elect. Just as we serve under the umbrella of Christ, women should serve under the umbrella of the church. As the elect plays a supporting role to Christ so women must play a supporting role to the church.

Psa 92:12  The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

Jer 10:5  They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.

This supporting role of women is what runs through the whole of scriptures starting from Miriam who supported Moses and Aaron in leading the people from Egypt and in the wilderness. During Jesus’ life on earth, a lot of women played key roles in support of His ministry. The supporting role is what it means for Eve to be a help meet to Adam. Here Adam represents Christ and Eve represents the church who complements Christ.

Gen 2:18  And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. 

The body of Christ, which is the wife of Christ, consists of both male and females, and we are all part of the joints that supplieth for the edification of the body.

Eph 4:16  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. 

This supportive role of Deborah is emphasized by the next three verses in which Deborah urged Barak to assemble an army to war against the enemies of their land.

Jdg 4:6  And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun? 

As with Deborah, one of the functions of the elect is to call our brothers and sisters to wage this war against the flesh and to assure them of a God-given victory. Let’s look at the characteristics of those who are called to wage this war against worldly wisdom (Jabin and his army). Those called to war are from the tribe of Naphtali and Zebulun. In order to understand the significance of being from the tribe of Naphtali and Zebulun, let’s look at the blessing given to them by Jacob when he was about to die.

Gen 49:13  Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he shall be for an haven of ships; and his border shall be unto Zidon. 

Gen 49:21  Naphtali is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words.

From the verses above, we can say that as God’s elect we must be like Zebulun in the sense that we have come out of the sea of worldliness and are on the shore (the haven of the sea). It is on the shore that we can see a beast rising out of the sea.  This beast rising from the sea is you and me. Until we are manifested as beasts, we cannot wage war against the beast within.

Rev 13:1  And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. 

Ecc 3:18  I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts. 

Being a Naphtali means we are like a deer set free (we are set free from bondage to sin), and out of our mouths comes the goodly (beautiful) words which are the fiery words of God which devour the beast within.

Jdg 4:7  And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand. 

Here in verse 7, the war was to be waged at the river Kishon. According to Strong, the word Kishon means winding. So it is this winding river which represents the multifaceted word of God where the battle against worldly wisdom (all the false doctrines) is waged. It is the word of God which exposes what worldly wisdom is. As our eyes are being opened and our ears are hearing the word of God, our heavens are being cleansed of this worldly wisdom which is the root of all false doctrines.

As indicated earlier, the outcome of this battle is obvious. God has assured us of victory which should motivate us to press on.

Jdg 4:8  And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go. 
Jdg 4:9  And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh. 
Jdg 4:10  And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh; and he went up with ten thousand men at his feet: and Deborah went up with him. 

Barak’s response to Deborah’s encouraging words that he will only go only if Deborah accompany him makes it look like our victory depends on the church instead of Christ. What Barak should have said was that he can only go if Christ were with him instead of the church (symbolized by Deborah). If we think that our victory depends on the church, then we are not giving honor to Christ, and whatever endeavor we undertake shall not bring any honor to us as noted by Deborah. This is not to say that the church does not play a role in our victory. The role the church plays in our struggle with sin is to give us the fiery words which are able to edify, encourage and comfort us in this battle. That was exactly what Deborah did in encouraging Barak against the opposition.

1Co 14:3  But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. 

Jdg 4:11  Now Heber the Kenite, which was of the children of Hobab the father in law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent unto the plain of Zaanaim, which is by Kedesh. 

The Kenites were normadic people and were coppersmiths and metalworkers. Certain groups of Kenites settled among the Israelite population, including the descendants of Moses’ brother-in-law. Heber separated himself from the Kenites and settled in a plain of Zaanaim which was part of Naphtali. When we come into the Assembly of God’s people, we have to separate ourselves from our background (as Heber did) in order to be used by God to defeat the enemy within. That is how we can be of help to the whole body as our victory will become a blessing to many as we will see later in this story.  

Jdg 4:12  And they shewed Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam was gone up to mount Tabor. 
Jdg 4:13  And Sisera gathered together all his chariots, even nine hundred chariots of iron, and all the people that were with him, from Harosheth of the Gentiles unto the river of Kishon. 

When Sisera realized that the Israelites, led by Barak, were ready for war, he marshalled his army to confront the Israelites at the river Kishon. This is to let us know that when the enemy within (represented by Sisera) realizes that our eyes are being opened and our ears are hearing the word of God, which is another way of saying that we are preparing for war, it becomes obvious to the enemy within that its time is short (its death is approaching very fast) and so it comes like a flood, strengthened by the devil without to devour us or carry us away captives.

Rev 12:12  Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. 

Rev 12:15  And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. 

Jdg 4:14  And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this is the day in which the LORD hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the LORD gone out before thee? So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him. 

The church, signified by Deborah, must play the role of encouraging us as we see the day of the Lord approaching. This is done through the fiery words of the elect which are to encourage, strengthen and comfort us to be able fight this war of faith.

1Co 14:3  But when you prophesy, you will be understood, and others will be helped. They will be encouraged and made to feel better. (CEV)

The role of the church is to equip us for the day of wrath, and it does so through the ministry of the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers as demonstrated by Deborah in her encouraging words to Barak. It is only through the church that we can be delivered from this flood by the enemy which seeks to toss us to and fro with every wind of doctrine.

Eph 4:11  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 
Eph 4:12  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 
Eph 4:13  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 
Eph 4:14  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 

Jdg 4:15  And the LORD discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his host, with the edge of the sword before Barak; so that Sisera lighted down off his chariot, and fled away on his feet. 

As indicated in an earlier review of the Book of Judges, though we fight the war against the flesh, it is the Lord that wins the battle for us. This is demonstrated in verse 15 by the fact that it was the Lord who discomfited Sisera and his chariots even though physically it was Barak fighting.  For us to know how to war means to learn to depend on God for our victories against the flesh. Sisera lighting down off the chariot and walking on his feet signifies that our victory over the flesh is nearer now than when we first believed. Another way of saying this is that the Lord will do a short work upon our earth (our members). As we are being enlightened to understand the word of God, we are getting ready for the Lord to do a short work on our earth!!

Rom 9:28  For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.

Jdg 4:16  But Barak pursued after the chariots, and after the host, unto Harosheth of the Gentiles: and all the host of Sisera fell upon the edge of the sword; and there was not a man left. 

We have to be ruthless in this war by not allowing anything that offends to remain in our members. That is what it means to pursue the enemy within (represented by Sisera), making sure that no man is left standing (anything that offends). This is because any little leaven has the inclination towards leavening the whole lump of dough. That is, any tendency towards error will cost us dearly.

Gal 5:9  A little yeast can change a whole batch of dough. (CEV) 

It is the word of God (the edge of the sword) that destroys the enemy within and without and is the main weapon God has given us to use in this war against the flesh.

Eph 6:17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 

Jdg 4:17  Howbeit Sisera fled away on his feet to the tent of Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite: for there was peace between Jabin the king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite. 
Jdg 4:18  And Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said unto him, Turn in, my lord, turn in to me; fear not. And when he had turned in unto her into the tent, she covered him with a mantle. 

The house of Heber making peace with Jabin the king of Hazor signifies the church (represented by Heber) being ruled by worldly wisdom which is the root of all false doctrines. In this situation, it becomes easier for all kinds of false doctrines to seek refuge in our heavens. Sisera entering Jael’s tent represents our time in Babylon where we become the habitation of every foul spirit.

Rev 18:2  And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. 

During this time in Babylon, we create our own righteousness which is symbolized by the covering of Sisera with a mantle by Jael.

Rom 10:2  For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 
Rom 10:3  For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 
Rom 10:4  For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth. 

Jdg 4:19  And he said unto her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water to drink; for I am thirsty. And she opened a bottle of milk, and gave him drink, and covered him. 
Jdg 4:20  Again he said unto her, Stand in the door of the tent, and it shall be, when any man doth come and enquire of thee, and say, Is there any man here? that thou shalt say, No. 
Jdg 4:21  Then Jael Heber’s wife took a nail of the tent, and took an hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground: for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died. 

We all enter the church (Babylon) feeling thirsty for the word of God and thinking that it is a place of refuge, but we end up being given the polluted milk of the word as Jael give milk to Sisera. As a result, we end up falling into sleep (backsliding) and becoming spiritually dead. On a positive note, our lives in Babylon are not all in vain. It is all part of God’s plan. During our time there, God is able put to death certain aspects of our flesh.  Jael smiting the nail into Sisera’s temple signifies the beginning of the death of false doctrines in our heavens which causes us to come out of captivity under Babylon.

Heb 5:12  For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 
Heb 5:13  For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 
Heb 5:14  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. 

Jdg 4:22  And, behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said unto him, Come, and I will shew thee the man whom thou seekest. And when he came into her tent, behold, Sisera lay dead, and the nail was in his temples. 

It was Jael that showed Barak the end of Sisera – death. In a similar fashion, it is the church that has to unveil to us the enemy within and the impending death of the old man.

Eph 3:9  And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: 
Eph 3:10  To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 

Jdg 4:23  So God subdued on that day Jabin the king of Canaan before the children of Israel. 
Jdg 4:24  And the hand of the children of Israel prospered, and prevailed against Jabin the king of Canaan, until they had destroyed Jabin king of Canaan. 

It is the Lord who fights our battles for us and wins the war for us. This fight against the flesh is a long drawn out war, and one day when the flesh or the old man has finally given up the ghost, we can say just like David that:

Psa 18:17  He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me. 
Psa 18:18  They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay. 

Psa 18:37  I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed. 
Psa 18:38  I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet. 
Psa 18:39  For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me. 
Psa 18:40  Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me. 

Psa 83:6 The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes;
Psa 83:7 Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre;
Psa 83:8 Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah.
Psa 83:9 Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison:
Psa 83:10 Which perished at Endor: they became as dung for the earth.
Psa 83:11 Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna:
Psa 83:12 Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession.
Psa 83:13 O my God, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind.
Psa 83:14 As the fire burneth a wood, and as the flame setteth the mountains on fire;
Psa 83:15 So persecute them with thy tempest, and make them afraid with thy storm.
Psa 83:16 Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O LORD.
Psa 83:17 Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish:
Psa 83:18 That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.

The true work of God which He is establishing in the earth bears witness that we are his disciples (Joh 13:34-35), who are connected to the first verse of this Psalm which says “Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace^H2790, and be not still, O God”, which is a representation of His wrath that is being filled up within us (Col 1:24) so that we can properly judge the nations of this world after we have been judged through this life and made into vessels of honour fit for the Master’s use (1Pe 4:17, 2Ti 2:21).

We become fit because He blesses us to be a people who are sent and go out and “plow” (peace^H2790) of the first verse (see last week’s study) the earth and break it with His word, which is like a hammer or fire (Jer 23:29).

This week we will look at the names of the many cities, all of which are instructive in showing us how God is the one who brings us through the Red Sea experience, or the Gentile flesh that these cities represent, to baptize us in effect through an experience of evil as we’re made stronger through each encounter and learn to ‘overcome evil with good’ by His hand (Rom 12:15-21). These following verses of Romans are some of the rules of engagement that we must come to learn to follow as we sojourn through these many cities, and in doing so the witness of Christ is being established as we decrease and He gives the increase in our ability to properly obey these words.

I mentioned last week that the first verse addresses this psalm as a prayer of Asaph^H623 (Asaph meaning ‘collector’ or ‘gatherer’, and his sons name Joah means ‘recorder’ Isa 36:3).

God is reminding us over and over in His word that we are His witnesses who both sow and gather together through these many cities He has us visit (Mat 13:30, 1Co 3:6-8).

Amo 9:13 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt.

Amo 9:13 is an interesting verse to consider regarding the order of events in our sojourning, as we seek a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God (Heb 11:10). The elect are experiencing a day of small things today; a very small harvest (Zec 4:10) compared to that which is going to happen, and this hope-filled verse reminds us, in type and shadow, that our labours are not in vain in the Lord.

1Co 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

We are God’s plowmen today, his servants who are sent into all the earth (Mar 16:15), however the harvest is plenteous and the labourers few (Mat 9:37), which means God’s word for the time being has not returned a great yield, but it has brought forth the wheat harvest in earnest which is who the elect represent in this second feast kept by Israel mentioned in Deu 16:16.

God’s mercy is revealed in giving us a hunger and thirst for the words of eternal life that are judging us today as we visit these cities of Psalm 83 (Joh 6:63,68; Joh 4:10) in this day of judgment or visitation. The cities we will look at in this study are the cities within each of us that grow together with Jerusalem above, the mother of us all (Gal 4:26), and need to grow together “until the harvest” (Rev 11:3, Joh 12:48, Mat 12:36).

Mat 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

The visitation of these cities, just as Caleb and Joshua coming into the promised land where there are uncircumcised giants, represent cities that are going to be judged within us as Christ in us examines and judges all things, so that we in turn can gain dominion over these cities He sets in our path to whatever degree He has written in our books (Mat 13:30, 1Co 2:15, 2Co 13:5).

Num 13:30 And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.

We shall not “have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come” of Mat 10:23-25 reminds us that Christ is the author and finisher of our faith who knows exactly how much increase (1Co 3:6) and what fruit will be borne in our life (barley, wheat, grapes, etc.) as a witness to the world of the predestined work of His hands that was predestinated from the foundation of the world.

Mat 10:23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
Mat 10:24 The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.
Mat 10:25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?

Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

In regards to the destruction of Jerusalem (‘the city below’ or ‘in the earth’) which is under siege, the Lord is teaching us to become a people who do battle against the powers and principalities of this world together and not by might or power but by His holy spirit which will give us the victory through Christ (Zec 4:6, Rom 8:37). We are Gideon’s army and called to “Keep not thou silence^H2790, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God”.

Little by little the victory has been promised to unfold, but God is careful to show us the process and how blessed we are to be fitly framed together in this making of a new nation that the whole world will one day recognize as the bride of Christ.

Exo 23:30 By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land.

Eph 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

Isa 66:8 Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.

Rev 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

We all start off as that city which is under siege, the “Daughter Zion, so beautiful and delicate” of Jer 6:2, and yet God prepares us for battle against her so that we can become a new creation that starts off by pointing to Jesus as John the Baptist did (Luk 3:16-18).

If we are called and chosen in this age, we become Christ’s anointed and baptized, no longer with the baptism of water that John required, but with the baptisms that Christ and His body have to endure in order to gain dominion over the Gentile cities within us, to be able to lay up store of His righteous indignation or put another way to bring us to a point where we “Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God”.

It is through the ‘seven last plagues’ which God pours out upon us that we in turn can become that holy temple that no man will be able to defile and will not enter into until those same seven last plagues are poured out upon them via the angels who represent the elect who have been called unto this work of purifying all the nations of the world first within then eventually without (Deu 23:3-4 old covenant witness of Rev 15:8, Rev 16:1).

Psa 83:6 The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes;

Looking at the meaning of all these various cities is an excercise for us to see the sovereignty of God throughout the history of Israel as mentioned at the conclusion in verse 18 “That [we] men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.”

The first verse tonight (verse 6) sets the stage to describe what all men in Adam are: earthy, of blood, connected to the earth, born of a woman (the church) and returning to the earth where we will remain unless our Lord departs and comes back.

Joh 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

Edom– H123 Red, earthy; of blood. From H122 Adom (Adam)
Hitchcock’s definition: red, earthy, of blood
The Bible Dictionary: red

It is those who are blessed to die to self in this age, that experience the day of the Lord today, who will hear the voice of the true Shepherd which is the next word we look at (1Jn 4:6, Mat 13:16-18). If we are one with our Lord and our Father we will hear as ‘they’ hear (Joh 14:20), and that hearing is needful to be led by our Shepherd into those green pastures that He is setting before us and making us lie down in (Rom 8:14, Psa 23:2).

1Jn 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

Deu 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:

Mat 13:16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
Mat 13:17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
Mat 13:18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.

Ishmaelites-H3459 “God will hear” Patronymic from H3458-Ishmael; origins from shama-H8085 & el-H410
Hitchcock: God that hears
TBD: whom God hears

Moab is connected to the flesh, and is a reminder that we are “of his father” the devil at first. God sets the conditions in the garden of Eden that cause Adam and Eve [within] to partake of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (carnal flesh and the devil in their midst to tempt them) and turn their [our] backs on God’s commandments, just as He did with Lot’s wife, to demonstrate what is naturally within the heart of all men who start off being disobedient and subject unto their father the devil.

Moab-H4124 “Of his father” From a prolonged form of the prepositional prefix “m”- and H1-ab- from (her (the mother’s)) father. Moab is of the incestrous seed of Lot and his daughter
Hitchcock: of his father
TBD: of his father

The course of life that God has taken us on as His elect separates us from our brothers, from Babylon, from the world like Lot from his wife who represents Babylon and gives us victory over temptation through Christ (Joh 16:33, Joh 8:23, Rev 18:4, Heb 4:15).

Hagarenes-H1905 “Wanderer” or “stranger” Perhaps patronymically from Hagar-H1904 “a stranger; one that fears”
Hitchcock: a stranger
TBD: wanderer

Psa 83:7 Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre;

Here are three more cities, as well as the Philistines, that God permits us to encounter in our journey of ‘abundant life’ leading toward eternal life (Joh 6:68).

God grants His people to see that the boundaries and limitations in this life that are set by Him are for our good, and we become convinced that he will not withhold anything if it were to impede our growth in becoming those who can endure unto the end (Php 4:19). We also are convinced that God does withhold those things which He knows would be detrimental to our spiritual health. Therefore, we commit our ways unto him as unto a faithful Creator and labour not to be rich in the earth but rich toward God knowing that whatever we commit unto him he is able to establish perfectly and for the good of all (Psa 37:5, Pro 3:5-8, Psa 127:1, Joh 6:27, Rom 8:28).

Gebal-H1381 “A boundary” or “limit” Same as H1380-Gebal, a region in IdumaeaH
itchcock: bound;limit
TBD: mountain

This next word ‘Ammon’ truly reminds us that we are a divided people: the Jews, the Greeks, the polarized world we live in today (Gal 3:28), and much of that polarization comes about as a result of the pride that man has in his lineage, in his heritage that we naturally ‘label’ ourselves calling ourselves ‘Jews’ or ‘Greeks’.

From God’s perfect spiritual vantage point this world has never been more spiritually inbred then it is right now, with multitudenous variations on the theme of what the true gospel is, each tribe claiming themselves to be the Christ with their own clothing and food.

Isa 4:1 And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.

Isa 3:1 For, behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water,

It is solely by the grace and faith of Christ that we can ‘come out of her my people’ and become that holy seed that all the world will one day be part of, and we must see ourselves as those who are first the incestrous seed of Lot and his younger daughter (Gal 3:16).

Ammon-H5983 “tribal” from H5971; tribal that is inbred. The descendants of Ben-Ammi, who is of the incestrous seed of Lot and his younger daughter, are the Ammonites
Hitchcock: the son of my people
TBD: Defines Ben-Ammi-son of my people

We also must dwell in the valley of the shadow of death, and by virtue of being alive we are doing that; and it is our flesh that God sees as ‘gentile’ or ‘Philistine’ and hopefully circumcised today while it is called “To day”.

Psa 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Heb 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

Amalek-H6002 “Dweller in the valley”
Hitchcock: a people that licks up
TBD: valley dweller

Philistines-H6429 “land of sojourners” From H6428 “rolling” or “migratory”
Hitchcock: people who dwell in villages
TBD: villagers

Tyre is “a rock”, but it is the negative rock that we initially set our hopes on without Christ. We must come out of Tyre and then be built upon the true rock, Jesus Christ (Mat 16:18-19). We are taken on a journey ‘To day’ that shows us that God is sovereign in the process of binding those things on earth and in heaven and loosing those things which are on earth and in heaven and doing this through Christ the Rock who is building His one church the body of Christ.

Mat 16:18 Now I, also, am saying to you that you are Peter, and on this rock will I be building My ecclesia, and the gates of the unseen shall not be prevailing against it.”
Mat 16:19 I will be giving you the keys of the kingdom of the heavens, and whatsoever you should be binding on the earth shall be those things having been bound in the heavens, and whatsoever you should be loosing on the earth, shall be those having been loosed in the heavens.” CLV

Mat 22:14 For many are called^G2822, but few are chosen^G1588.

Tyre-H6865 same s H6964 “a rock”
Hitchcock: strength; rock; sharp
TBD: rock

Psa 83:8 Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah.

It is encouraging to know the name ‘Asshur’ or “who is happy; or walks; or looks” is there along the journey of this life that we know must be accompanied with much tribulation (Act 14:22), afflictions (Psa 34:19), and persecution (2Ti 3:12) but assuredly a hundred fold family of believers has been given to the elect who God inspires to hold each other up so we can endure until the end (Mat 24:13, Mat 20:23).

We are “wrapped up; hidden; covered; myrrh; rosin” in a relationship that the world cannot see or perceive at this time, and whatever persecutions we do suffer are not worthy to be compared to the glory that will be revealed (Rom 8:18), and the current blessing that is ours to know Christ in each other is part of that glory being revealed in part today (1Co 13:12). It is of course all of our Father who drags us to Christ and enables us to endure as He works in us both to will and to do of our Father’s good pleasure, so we ought to rejoice always in knowing that we are in His hands as His workmanship (Php 2:13, Eph 2:10, Php 4:4, Rom 8:31).

Assur-H804 Asshur or Assyria = a step
Apparently from H833 (in the sense of successful)
See H838-ashur-in the sense of going;a step
Hitchcock: who is happy;or walks;or looks
TBD: Defines Assyria-country of Asshur

Lot-H3876 “covering” The same as H3875-lowt
Hitchcock: wrapped up; hidden; covered; myrrh; rosin
TBD: veil

Psa 83:9 Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison:

The following words demonstrate the thoroughness of God to start and finish this work of judgment upon our first man Adam who again is connected to a gentile culture, “the Midianites”.

It is a battle (Sisera^H5516 “battle array”) against powers and principalities, all of which Christ is higher than, so there is no chance of failure, and it is important to rejoice in hope of the certainty of victory through Christ if it be God’s will today (Eph 6:12, Eph 1:21, Rom 5:2-9).

The forces we come up against are strong and likened unto horses, but God is in the most minute details (that sees a horse or a swallow Jer 12:5, Mat 10:23, Mat 10:29). We are in effect through Christ made “ready for war“, and God watches over us (Jabin^H2985 “whom God observes”), and teaches our hands to make spiritual warfare (Psa 144:1). He also knows and understands our frame and will not try us beyond the measure that we can endure, and this is a very comforting thought and verse to hold onto in the midst of trials and temptation (1Co 10:13).

Rom 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Rom 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
Rom 5:4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
Rom 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Rom 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
Rom 5:7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Rom 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

It is a long and “Kison^H7028 “winding” road that God has us all on, and there will be many bends in this road that God will cause, and it will be hard, and we will be sore pressed on every side (2Co 4:8), but as was just mentioned, the Lord is doing this to make us competent ministers of his word, not in our comfortable flesh but through a life of crying out to God with strong tears so that we can receive the living waters that we will need to accomplish this task of overcoming (2Co 3:6, Heb 5:7, 1Jn 4:17).

Remember, he knows our frame and is able to make the crooked paths straight, and he has promised it (Isa 45:2)!

Sisera-H5516=”battle array”
Hitchcock: that sees a horse or a swallow
TBD: ready for war

Jabin-H2985=”whom God observes”
From H995-“bene” which means to separate mentally (or distinguish), that is, (generally) understand, have intelligence
Hitchcock: he that understands; building
TBD: observed

Kison-H7028- “winding” From H6983 “koshe,” a primitive root “to bend” Also translated Kishon.
Hitchcock defines Kishon as hard; sore
TBD: crooked

Psa 83:10 Which perished at Endor: they became as dung for the earth.

There has to be a negative use of the word ‘gold’, and when we have “perished at Endor”, our first man Adam is going back into the earth to make our dwelling with the riches of this world which Paul said he likened unto dung in comparison to the excellency of the knowledge of Christ (Php 3:8).

This gold is the apple of the world’s eye and is the fountain or the well spring of life that the carnal man aspires to; and God admonishes us to not neglect so great a salvation by stirring up His spirit which alone can put us in remembrance of the pearl of great price that has been given to us in Christ.

Php 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

Heb 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

Mat 13:46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

Endor-H5874=”fountain of Dor” from H5869-ayin=an eye (literally or figuratively), by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)-affliction;outward appearance;and from H1755-dor-properly a revolution of time, that is, an age or generation
Hitchcock: fountain, eye of generation, or of habitation
TBD: fountain of Dor (“Dor” is defined as dwelling)

Psa 83:11 Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna:

This verse, still incorporating more cities, is the precursor to what it is God plans to do to all those things within us that are yet unclean and meant to be dealt with in this age of judgement upon his people mentioned in verses 12 to 18.

Oreb is an unclean bird meaning raven and Zeeb is a wolf, and God in these verses is showing the prince within us and the part that thinks we are noble, yet all of which is unclean Oreb (raven) or wolf (Zeeb), identifying with all the negative animal sacrifice (Zebah) until we do not (only by the grace and faith of Christ). There is no lasting comfort in these sacrifices which are likened unto darkness (shadow;image;idol forbidden) and although we go through the motions, God says they are detestible sacrifices (Pro 21:27, Pro 15:8) because they are done in the shadows which represent the flesh which cannot come before the light as a living sacrifice to be cleansed unless the Lord is allowing this (Joh 6:44, 1Jn 1:7).

Oreb-H6159 “raven”
Hitchcock: raven
TBD: raven

Zeeb-H2062=wolf One of the two princes of Midian mentioned in the conquest; brought to bay in a winepress
Hitchcock: wolf
TBD: wolf

Zebah-H2078=deprived of protection;origin is same as H2077-zebach=a slaughter, that is, the flesh of an animal; sacrifice
Hitchcock: victim;sacrifice
TBD: sacrifice

Zalmunna-H6759=deprived of protection. From H6738 tsale-“shade” and H4513 mana “to debar (negatively or positively) from benefit or injury;deny, keep back” [shade has been denied]
Hitchcock:
TBD: shadow

Psa 83:12 Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession.

God is telling us in this verse who it is that He has reserved His greatest correction toward, and it is those “Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession” those who want to rule over the laity which is all of us in our appointed time. It’s interesting to note that in the previous verse the word “Zeeb” according to Hitchcock means ‘wolf’ and Christ tells us to beware of them.

Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Psa 83:13 O my God, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind.

That false prophet who is first within us must become crushed by Christ who is the stone of stumbling and rock of offense (Mat 21:44). The stubble represents the hope of repentance that will be granted to everyone in time (1Co 15:22).

Psa 83:14 As the fire burneth a wood, and as the flame setteth the mountains on fire;
Psa 83:15 So persecute them with thy tempest, and make them afraid with thy storm.

We are God’s storm that has been purposed to be formed from the foundation of the world, and when we come back with our Lord in the clouds, it will be for the express purpose of setting the world on fire with His word and truth so that men can learn righteousness.

1Th 3:13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

Rev 19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
Rev 19:15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

2Ti 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2Ti 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

Psa 83:16 Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O LORD.
Psa 83:17 Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish:
Psa 83:18 That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.

There is a period where the world will “be confounded” and “troubled” and “put to shame” and many will “perish” and die in their sins (Joh 8:21), and that ‘many’ is all men until the second resurection and time of judgment or second death (Rev 20:14).

We remember that time when we had no hope, and our former conversation that had us lock stock and barrel a slave to sin.

Eph 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Eph 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

It is truly because of our Father who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, that we have been called out of darkness and into the glorious light of the gospel of Jesus Christ (2Co 4:4, 2Co 3:18).

All of this judgment which is going to come upon the world has to happen to the elect as well if we are going to live by every word of God, and we must know that these words don’t just apply to those who are in the second resurrection but unto all men and to what end “That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.

It is good to look at all these cities again and again, even if God has given us some victory over them already, because it never hurts to be reminded of where we have come from and who it is who has given us the increase and victory all along the way.