47. So, then, Deborah foretold the event of the
battle. Barak, as he was bidden, led forth the army; Jael carried
off the triumph, for the prophecy of Deborah fought for her, who in a
mystery revealed to us the rising of the Church from among the
Gentiles, for whom should be found a triumph over Sisera, that is, over
the powers opposed to her. For us, then, the oracles of the
prophets fought, for us those judgments and arms of the prophets won
the victory. And for this reason it was not the people of the
Jews but Jael who gained the victory over the enemy. Unhappy,
then, was that people which could not follow up by the virtue of faith
the enemy, whom it had put to flight. And so by their fault
salvation came to the Gentiles, by their sluggishness the victory was
reserved for us.