Judges 5
-Chapter five brings us the song that Deborah and Barak sang
on the day that their enemies were destroyed and peace again reigned in the
Promised Land. This peace would last 40 years undisturbed (Judges 5:31b). This
song recounts the rise of God’s people in their yearnings for justice and
redemption from their oppressors. It acknowledges Israel’s sin in choosing new
gods to their detriment (Judges 5:8). This unfaithfulness produced the conflict
from the enemy and weakened them as a people. The prophets’ hearts went out to
the leaders, the commanders, the volunteers, the peasants among the people for
a new beginning, for the LORD to show Himself powerful and glorious in their
midst (Judges 5:9-11). A rising up is put to lyrics, led by a woman, Deborah
and her commander, Barak. Warriors waged war. Tribe by tribe is denoted for
their contribution or lack thereof. Zebulun and Naphtali were extolled for their
commitment to the cause and their valiant spirit as the kings came and fought
with one another at Taanach near the waters of Megiddo. The stars fought from
Heaven against the formidable Sisera and his armies, and they prevailed. The
torrent of Kishon swept upon them and washed them away. Israel’s soul marched
on with strength (Judges 5:13-23).
-Jael is honored as the “most blessed of women.” She took
down the mighty Sisera with her tent peg and hammer giving him curd milk rather
than water. “Between her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay; between her feet he
bowed, he fell; where he bowed, there he fell dead (Judges 5:24-27).”
-Sisera’s mother lamented as she looked out of her window
wondering of her son’s delay in returning. “Are they not finding, are they not
dividing the spoil?” The neck of the spoiler has destroyed the enemy (Judges
5:28-30). The song ends like this: “Thus let all Your enemies perish, O LORD;
but let those who love Him be like the rising of the sun in its might (Judges
5:31a).
-*Application* It’s not wrong to celebrate when God does a monumental
act for us. Next time He has given an incredible victory, after we’ve been
unfaithful, depraved, and broken, honor Him with praise and song. Who knows, maybe
we could even write our own lyrics glorifying the mighty things He has done for
us.
Verses to Memorize:
Judges 5:19-20, 24, 27, 31
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