Judges 5

Judges 5:1

2. Their Story in Song (Chap. 5)5:1-5 The song of Deborah and Barak is a classic of inspired literature. After opening with praise to the LORD, Deborah recalled the Lord’s triumphant march when the Israelites left the borders of Edom to move toward the Promised Land. All opposition melted before the majesty of the LORD God of Israel. 5:6, 7 Then she described conditions in the days of Shamgar. The dangers were such that the highways were deserted. Travelers used less direct routes in order to avoid robber bands. The villagers dared not venture out of their homesthat is, until . . . Deborah arose. 5:8 Because the people had turned to idols, the land was given over to war and bloodshed, and Israel did not have weapons with which to fight. 5:9-15 But when God raised up Deborah and Barak, some of the rulers of Israel and some of the people stepped forward gallantly to help. There were men from Ephraim, men from Benjamin, men from Machir (the tribe of Manasseh), and men from Zebulun and Issachar. 5:16, 17 And then Deborah remembered those who did not come to help. Reuben had great searchings of heart but stayed among the sheepfolds. Gilead (Gad) did not cross the Jordan to join in the battle. Dan remained in ships, and Asher sat idly at the seashore. Scripture notes carefully those who fought in the battle and those who stood passively by, unwilling to risk their safety in Jehovah’s cause. And so it is today: The Lord knows who is actively confronting the world and the devil and who is sitting back and simply watching. There is a time of reward coming, but it is also a time of loss (1Co_3:10-15). 5:18-22 Zebulun and Naphtali were outstanding, risking their lives for Jehovah without pay (they took no spoils of silver). They were in the thick of the battle against the kings of Canaan. The forces of nature were on their side because they were on the Lord’s side. 5:23-27 Meroz was singled out for a curse for failing to come to Jehovah’s help. The men of this city remained neutral when help was needed against the foe. But Jael, living in a tent, was blessed for her bravery and cunning in destroying Sisera. Our Lord’s mother is the only other woman who is specifically called blessed among women (Luk_1:42). 5:28-31 Sisera’s mother, in the meantime, was looking out the window, waiting for her son to return with the spoils of victory. She could not understand his delay. Her wisest ladies assured her that he must be dividing the booty with his men. But Sisera would never return. And let his fate be the same for all . . . enemies of Jehovah. On the other hand, may those who love the Lord be as the rising sun. The chapter closes with the statement that the land had rest for forty years after Sisera’s death.