Reubens Shame

Judges 5, 1 to 23. The Song of Deborah. On that day, Deborah and Barak, son of Abinoam, sang this song.

When the princes in Israel take the lead, when the people willingly offer themselves, praise the Lord. Hear this, you kings, listen, you rulers. I will sing to the Lord, I will sing, I will make music to the Lord, the God of Israel.

O Lord, when you went out from Seir, when you marched from the land of Edom, the earth shook, the heavens poured, the clouds poured down water, the mountains quaked before the Lord, the one of Sinai, before the Lord, the God of Israel. In the days of Shamgar, son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the roads were abandoned, travelers took to winding paths, village life in Israel ceased, ceased until I, Deborah, arose, arose a mother in Israel. When they chose new gods, war came to the city gates, and not a shield or spear was seen among 40,000 in Israel.

My heart is with Israel's princes, with the willing volunteers among the people, praise the Lord. You who ride on white donkeys sitting on your saddle blankets, and you who walk along the road, consider the voice of the singers at the watering places. They recite the righteous acts of the Lord, the righteous acts of his warriors in Israel.

Then the people of the Lord went down to the city gates. Wake up, wake up, Deborah, wake up, wake up, break out in song. Arise, O Barak, take captive your captives, O son of Abinoam.

Then the men who were left came down to the nobles. The people of the Lord came to me with the mighty. Some came from Ephraim, whose roots were in Amalek.

Benjamin was with the people who followed you. From Machir, captains came down. From Zebulun, those who bear a commander's staff.

The princes of Issachar were with Deborah. Yes, Issachar was with Barak, rushing after him into the valley. In the districts of Reuben, there was much searching of heart.

Why did you stay among the campfires to hear the whistling for the flocks? In the districts of Reuben, there was much searching of heart. Gilead stayed beyond the Jordan. And Dan, why did he linger by the ships? Asher remained on the sea coast and stayed in his coves.

The people of Zebulun risked their very lives. So did Naphtali on the heights of the field. Kings came, they fought.

The kings of Canaan fought at Taonak by the waters of Megiddo. But they carried off no silver, no plunder. From the heavens, the stars fought.

From their courses, they fought against Sisera. The river Chisholm swept them away. The age-old river, the river Chisholm.

March on, my soul, be strong. Then thundered the horses' hoofs. Galloping, galloping go his mighty steeds.

Curse Meroz, said the angel of the Lord. Curse its people bitterly. Because they did not come to help the Lord.

To help the Lord against the mighty. May the Lord bless and give us understanding in the reading of his word. His glory alone.

Our faithful and changeable friend. Whose knowledge as great as his power. Has Jesus, the Lord, come to us.

What I want to share, I've wanted to preach on for a long time. I've had it marked in my Bible as something that needs to be brought to our attention. And it seems to me that it's not exactly irrelevant to our series on the Christian soldier.

So let's take the 16th verse and the two sentences or the two lines just in front of the 16th verse of Judges chapter 5. Judges 5. In the districts of Reuben, there was much searching of heart. Why did you stay among the campfires? To hear the whistling for the flocks. In the districts of Reuben, there was much searching of heart.

Now I believe the significance of this message which I dare to suggest is definitely from the Lord. For us at the tabernacle today will become more clear as we proceed to examine it. And to relate it to its context and draw out some general lessons for that day.

And also make some contemporary application. R.T. Kendall is rather an interesting preacher in Westminster Chapel. We've had him ministering here.

And some while ago he published a book which is somewhat controversial. Not so much the title but its contents. The title is Once Saved Always Saved.

Which seems to me to be common sense deduction from scripture. But the area that it's particularly controversial is this. Dr. Kendall suggests that the statements made in the New Testament.

About groaning and gnashing of teeth when the Lord Jesus returns. Apply not only to the unregenerate but to the regenerate. In other words he goes on to argue quite eloquently.

That when our Lord comes back. There may be a tinge of regret to say the least. On the part of Christian people.

Not because of the return of our savior of course. Or the blessings of eternity which that will open up. But rather remorse because of past opportunities that were missed.

Occasions when you could have served him and you didn't serve him. The pang of regret and sadness. Now Kendall is not unique in arguing this way.

There are one or two song composers who have expressed the thought. Not perhaps quite as powerfully or argued it as strongly. But nonetheless there's quite a suspicion.

In what they're saying of the possibility of regret. For instance take that song that has the refrain. By and by when I look on Christ's face.

Face that was marred. Brow that was scarred. By and by when I look on his face I'll wish I'd given him more.

Far far more. More of my life than I ever gave before. By and by when I look on his face.

I'll wish I'd given him more. I want those two thoughts to become at least the launching pad. Whatever you might make of Dr. Kendall's book.

Into our study this morning. With my suggestion. Concerning Reuben's heartache.

Or Reuben's shame. And the question. Must you share it? Listen again to my verses.

In the districts of Reuben there was much searching of heart. Why did you stay among the campfires? To hear the whistling for the flocks? In the districts of Reuben there was much searching of heart. You see Reuben has been shamed.

You say you don't understand. All right let's go to the context and then you will. Just plug in your concentration and you'll follow.

The Israelites at this time in their history are back in the land of promise. For years they were in Egypt. But God brought them miraculously out of the land of bondage.

Through the wilderness and back to the place that he gave. He covenanted to give to father Abraham centuries before. And as the tribes reoccupied the promise land.

They went into various territories. In other words there was one place for the tribe of Dan. There was another place for the tribe of Benjamin.

And a place for the tribe of Reuben. Now they were not to be isolated tribes. They were to be independent yet interdependent.

In other words if you want an illustration don't push it too far. They were like NATO. The Northern Treaty Organization of European States.

Which allegedly pledges solidarity in the case of any incursion into European territory from the east. Now that was Israel's idea. That when there was any problem.

When there was any threat. Politically or religiously upon the life of the nation. All the tribes would group together.

And there would be what the French call an esprit de corps. A sense of common spirit amongst the people. So that they would repulse the adversary in whatever form he showed himself.

Now the book of Judges is a very sad book. In fact I was reading a commentator. Just last evening.

Who calls his comments on this book distressing days of the judges. Distressing days of the judges. And indeed what is found within this book in the Old Testament.

Doesn't always warm your heart. Because you find that the so called people of God are often in rebellion. They're engaged in religious compromise.

And as a result not only are they spiritually but they are politically weak. And from time to time great men come to the forefront. And they endeavor to bring back this concept of solidarity and faithfulness.

To the Lord who has done so much for his ancient people. Now one of these great individuals who tried to forge the nation again together. Was a woman by the name of Deborah.

When Deborah came to the forefront. And remember this is long before the time of someone like Indira Gandhi. Or Margaret Thatcher.

Great leaders of the 20th century. This was in a day when women just did not take the lead. Along comes Deborah.

And she speaks to the Hebrews. And endeavors to get them together as a nation. Because the Canaanites who indwell the land.

Are creating such a religious and such a political threat. And so she puts the bugle so to speak to her lips. And she calls all the tribes together.

To send at least their military men. So that they can war against the commander in chief of the Canaanites. A man by the name of Caesare.

But only a very tiny company of people. Relatively speaking. Came at the bugle call of Deborah.

And they fought the Canaanites. And Caesare. And eventually he is done to death.

And after the struggle. After the battle comes to it's. It's successful conclusion on the part of the Hebrews.

Deborah starts to sing. It's one of the most remarkable songs in the whole of the Old Testament. It's analogous.

It's comparable to that of Moses. A song of deliverance that you discover in the book of Exodus. And in this particular song.

As Deborah the prophetess is inspired. Not only does she hand out bouquets of congratulations. To the Hebrew tribes who sent men.

In the day of need. But she criticizes those who went by default. Those who could have been engaged in this most remarkable battle.

Which had a guaranteed success implicit in it. Because it was the Lord's battle. And yet they refused.

Much to their eternal shame. And one of the tribes surprisingly enough. That did not send any recruits at all to the army of Deborah.

Was the tribe of Reuben. Now you've got the context. So for the third time let's approach the verse.

In the districts of Reuben. There was much searching of heart. Why did you stay among the campfires.

To hear the whistling for the flocks. In the districts of Reuben. There was much searching of heart.

I want to approach those verses generally. And then particularly. And then pastorally.

Because if there's one thing that I desire. As someone who endeavors with my brother Elvis. To lead this fellowship at Worthing Tabernacle.

If there's one thing I plead God for. It is this that we do not involve ourselves in Reuben shame. That's the title of my address this morning.

Do we have to share it? You see you and I are involved in a warfare. As Christian people we have a fight in which we are involved. If you don't believe this then.

I don't understand why you come along on a Sunday. And listen to my expositions from Ephesians. And the warfare of the Old Testament.

Or the warfare's of the Old Testament. Are but illustrations to help us spiritually. In the New Testament era.

To be able to cope with the hostile forces. That are raged against the Christian church. And the first thing I generally want to say.

From this particular incident in Judges 5. Is that the call to battle was a valid call. You see in the balance. Was not only.

That the political safety of Israel. But also the sanctity of the religion. That God had revealed to Israel through Moses.

Because the Canaanites were starting to infect it. And there was compromise all the way down the line. And something had to be done to stop the people.

Who were creating such pressures. To in the Hebrew tribes. And so Deborah makes this particular call.

The Apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 6. That we wrestle not against flesh and blood. But against principalities and powers. Against spiritual wickednesses.

In high places. And you see if you're a Christian. Then by very definition of being a Christian.

You're a soldier. There is this war on this. I mean if you say that you never feel it hard to be a Christian.

Then I question whether you're a Christian at all. If you don't see any opposition in your life. If you don't see any evidence of malevolent.

Of evil forces in our world today. Then I wonder just what perspective you're looking from. You can't be looking from that of a Christian.

What one commentator on Ephesians 6. Tragically says that in the authorized version. You get the attitude of some believers summed up. We wrestle not.

That was Reuben's shame. The call was for candidates to help repulse the Canaanites. But Reuben was not wrestling.

No men from that tribe went forward. Even though the call to battle. Was a valid one.

What is more. The excuses that were given were utterly unconvincing. Now there's nothing wrong with being a shepherd.

Particularly in Israel. It's that sort of terrain. It lends itself to flocks and shepherding.

But you know there's a very romantic side to being a shepherd. I know it's not all easy. I know that to be a Hebrew shepherd.

And to know the extremes of climate. The heat of noon. And the coldness of night.

Could be quite a problem. But there is the other side. The romantic side.

The shepherds gathering around the campfires. The daily telling. Or the evening telling of the stories.

Because they were enmeshed in their minds in folklore. Rather romantic isn't it? To sit by an open fire at night. And to feel the heat.

And then in the distance to hear the braying. Of the bleating of the sheep. And the occasional whistle from one of the shepherds who's on duty.

Nothing wrong with gaining heat from the fire. Nothing wrong in having the fellowship of your fellow Reubenites. Provided that there isn't something that ought to have a priority commitment from you.

And so Reuben dismisses Deborah's call. Because well, we're shepherds. No, it's not just Reuben that's censured here in her song.

Look at the 17th verse. Gilead stayed beyond the Jordan. And Dan, why did he linger by the ships? Or maybe putting it into the 20th century.

Why does Dan go to Chichester Yacht Basin on a Sunday. And be involved in all the business of yachting and sailing. When there are more important things to be attended to on the Lord's day.

Why does Ashes remain on the sea coast? Perhaps helping with the sea defences. Staying in his coves when there is something else that he ought to be engaged in doing. The excuses that are valid in one sense.

But put over against the overwhelming priority. The need to repulse the Canaanites. And the excuses are utterly unacceptable.

My last general point is this. The Reuben mentality dies hard. You see godly people are infected with the Reuben disease at times.

Because although we're godly in as much as we're following the Lord. We're not 100% sanctified. And we're not 100% enthusiastic in his service.

We always need to be attending to our spiritual disciplines. And our objectives in terms of being good soldiers of Jesus. Do you remember Nehemiah? He was called to make Jerusalem secure.

Having come back from the land of exile. And in the third chapter of the book that bears his name. You discover that Nehemiah who is a great delegator.

And he can really motivate people in ministry. He's got all the tribes working together. Endeavoring to ensure that the walls of Jerusalem are secure.

And from the third verse of Nehemiah 3. You get a list of all those who are involved in this tremendous project. And then you get down to the fifth verse. Listen.

The next section was repaired by the men of Tekoa. But their nobles would not put their shoulders to the work under their supervisors. You see there were the awkward squad in that day.

Who believed that well we're nobles. You don't take bricks and mortar when you're from our class. Let the artisans, the working class do that.

Amos later on perhaps speaking to those people. Because he comes from the area of Tekoa. He warns in Amos 6 and verse 1. Of those who are at ease in Zion.

Who should be engaged in doing the Lord's work. But there are other things that have taken precedent. In their estimation as to what their priorities should be.

Now let's go back to Reuben. There's much searching of heart. There's much shame.

The battle is over. The success. Well it's guaranteed.

And Reuben. There is not one thing that Deborah can say to your credit. On the day when our Savior returns.

What can be said. In our credit. Were there occasions when we were by the campfires.

Warming our hands. Listening to the bleating of the sheep. And the shrill whistles of the shepherds.

When we should have been out beyond. Where the action is. And where the danger lurks.

I deal with it generally. But now perhaps more specifically. You see here is Reuben.

And he really is without excuse. For two or three reasons. Which I'll suggest you.

First of all. Because the one who gives the call to battle is a woman. Now I've almost stolen in on this point.

Here is Deborah. It's most remarkable this really. It's very hard for us to realize in the West.

Where to a large extent. Though not quite as completely as some of us would like to see. Women have been emancipated.

Very difficult for us to understand. This remarkable woman Deborah. And the fact that she comes to the front in Israel.

And the reason why she comes to the front is this. There isn't a man. She was the best man in Israel.

If that's not too chauvinistic. A sort of remark to make. Look at the fourth chapter.

She's engaged is Deborah. In speaking to a man by the name of Barak. Barak.

Verse eight and nine will tell you. She obviously can't go into battle herself. So she must have someone else.

Who will be the commander of the troops. So she brings Barak in. And she says to her.

Won't you go and engage in battle? She says to him. And he replies verse eight. If you go with me I will go.

What a strong man. But if you don't go with me. I won't go.

Very well Deborah said. I will go with you. But because of the way you are going about this.

The honor will not be yours. For the Lord will hand Sazera. Over to a woman.

Now Reuben knew. That this was incredible. For a woman to call the troops of Israel to battle.

That on its own should have shaved Reuben. And the tribe that Reuben represents. I and my friend.

There's many a time when as a man. I blush to my roots. Seeing what women do over against men.

In the cause of Christ. And how very often in local churches. It's the men who have the positions.

So called of responsibility. But very often it's left to our ladies. To keep certain things ticking over.

And on the mission field. I blush to be a man. I blush to be a man.

Two thirds if not more of all our missionaries are women. One third are men. Talk to me and argue with me about women's ministry.

When those statistics are reversed. And I will give you a more sensitive hearing. On the part of those who want a masculine orientated ministry.

Entirely. Here is Deborah. And she should have shamed Reuben.

The fact that a woman had to make this call. And what is more. There has been some incredible bravery.

That should have triggered Reuben up into a much better response. If you look at Deborah's tremendous song. Where she is singing to herself in the 12th verse.

And Joyce caught the intonation so well. Wake up, wake up Deborah. Wake up, wake up.

Break out into song. What is she going to do now? Well she is going to review all those. Who responded to her call.

All those who came down. With some of the nobles. Verse 13.

And some were told came from Ephraim. The dual tribe. Or so to speak.

That Joseph was really the founder of. Benjamin. The youngest son of Jacob.

The son of his right hand. He was there. All the people that he represented.

Always a warrior tribe. Was Benjamin. The princes of Issachar.

They were there. And they were also involved. In the very heat of the battle.

But the ones who really get the laurel wreath. As far as Deborah is concerned. Verse 18.

Are the people of Zebulun. And the people of Naphtali. They risked their very lives.

The Naphtali folk on the heights of the field. Where the battle was the most difficult. Now stories of the conflict.

Must have percolated through to Reuben. To the tribe of Reuben. But even this didn't stimulate them.

To get up from sitting by the campfires. And to go where the action is. And my friend.

There are so many, many instances. In our local church here. Of people who have given their lives.

For the advance of the gospel. Here in Worthing. I'm not talking just of the missionary greats.

And the giants of Bible teachers. And preachers down the centuries. Even in our local church.

You can see them by the score. But there are some of us. Who can watch their activity.

Who know of their dedication. And in our hearts we thank God for them. But we ourselves still cop out.

And sit by the campfire. Listening to the bleating of the sheep. And the fill whistles of the shepherds.

When we should be out. Where the action is. Doing what we can.

Within the parameters of the gifts. That God has granted to us. What's more.

The Reubenites should have been stimulated. By the direct involvement of God. Not only did he bring the tribes.

Or some of the tribes. In harness under Deborah's leadership. But verse 20 tells us.

From the very heavens the stars fought. From their courses they fought against Caesar. The river Kishon verse 21.

Swept them away. The age old river. The river Kishon.

Aye that river. That's really just a babbling brook. It flows now strongly.

Miraculously there's been intervention. And the brook is now a river that's running. With force.

With speed. And when the Canaanites try to get across. They're drowned in the river.

As though God has brought the whole of nature. Into play. Because the battle in which the Hebrews are involved in.

Is the Lord's battle. And he'll divinely intervene. Now these three things.

The call from the lips of a woman. The heroic enterprise of other tribes people. The miraculous intervention of God.

It should have triggered off a better response. From the Reubenites. Than apparently it did.

And here's old Deborah. Do you know what Deborah's favorite hymn was? March on my soul be strong. Mine eyes have seen the glory.

The coming of the Lord. You know I say that of course with my tongue in cheek. But she'd seen something of the greatness of God.

And you can't stop a woman who's seen that greatness. Look at Gladys Aylward. She goes off to China.

She's only got a ticket to Moscow. And then she buys another one. That takes her down on the railroad to China.

And they can't stop her from going. Why her eyes have seen the glory. I've seen women folk at the very forefront of the battle.

More countries than I've time to rehearse this morning. You can't dim their vision. You can't in any way dampen their enthusiasm.

Because they've got the glory of God in their mind. But the Reubenites. They haven't seen it.

They prefer the warmth of the campfire. And the bleating of the sheep. And the romance of their safety to being involved.

Let's quickly bring this right up to date. And let me handle this subject pastorally. Because remember my heart cry.

It's there in my title. I repeat it. Reuben, shame.

Do we have to share it? My answer is no. Pray God a thousand times no. If you want to ensure that you're not involved in the shame of Reuben.

Three things I suggest. First of all, don't have a short memory. Don't have a short memory.

Remember the time when God saved you. You see, this was the problem with Reuben. With the tribe's people that that name implies.

They'd forgotten about the deliverance from Egypt. The miraculous opening of the Red Sea. The passing over of the angel of death.

So that Goshen and its inhabitants were left secure. And the firstborn of the Egyptians died. They forgot the miraculous gracious intervention of God in their lives.

Bringing them into the promised land. And giving them the blessings that they were now enjoying. And my friends, that happens to us.

Don't you see? Some of you are 60, 70 years of age. Others of you are 30 and 40. And others are of more tender years.

But you've begun to forget all that God did for you in those early days. There were times when you could hardly sing beneath the cross of Jesus. I fain would take my stand.

Upon the cross of Jesus, mine eyes at times can see the very dying form of one who suffered there for me. You could hardly sing it because your throat had a lump in it. And your eyes were bejeweled with tears.

But the years have gone by. Familiarity, well if it's not brought its contempt. It's dulled the emotional response.

Your memory was sure. Aye, and you can let Sunday after Sunday, Lord's day after Lord's day go. And you're not around the table that's visually given for you to recall the enormous price of your salvation as Jesus bled and died.

Broke his body for you. You'll not share Reuben's shame, I tell you. If you don't have a short memory.

Be prepared, my friend, to give up the soft option. I don't know what the soft option is for you, I know what it is for me. My soft option is to stay behind my desk and read my books.

There's no problem for me to read and to listen to music. I can do that with the same enthusiasm as someone can knock a ball around a golf course. That can be, for me, something that seems quite legitimate.

Nothing wrong in listening to music, not my type of music anyway. I'm not biased. But it can be my soft option, instead of being out where the action is.

This was the problem with the Reubenites, isn't it? They were by the campfires, they're here, the whistling of the flocks. And as a result, afterwards, there's much searching of heart, there's much shame. Because they should have been out where the action is on the Jericho Road, so to speak, with Deborah and with her forces.

Be prepared to give up the soft option. And finally, remember the privilege of fighting. Remember the privilege of fighting.

Don't you realize that we are, as I've said so many times during these past months, we're involved in a warfare. But the battle is the Lord's and the victory is secured. Now, He will get that battle to its culmination, whether you join in or not.

I mean, don't be so Arminian as to feel that somehow or other you're going to come in on the Lord's side and tilt the balance. You're not. It's His battle.

But in the greatness of the economy of our sovereign God, He uses people to bring about His purposes on planet Earth. Which means to say that you and I are invited into an army, and the outcome of the struggle is guaranteed. And at the end, when the commander-in-chief comes back and reviews what's being done, he hands out his congratulations to those who have faithfully labored and followed him.

Now, it's there that Dr. Kendall probably has a great deal of weight in his argument when he speaks about the remorse that there could well be on that day. When you share in the glory of God's victory through Christ, but there's little that can be brought to bear in terms of your contribution at the human level to the working out of God's purposes. Now, it's against that that I'm preaching.

The shame of Reuben. May it never be a shame that befalls this tabernacle. May it never be a condition that envelops anyone who's within the sound of my voice at the moment.

If this is the case at this very point in time, then I ask you, destroy your amnesia and come back to the basics and remember the tremendous price of your salvation. Forgo the self-option and wherever it is that God would have you be involving yourself, then get involved in that lesson. Keep short accounts with the Lord in terms of your prayer, in the handling of your finance, in the disciplining of your time.

Do not take what belongs to God and squander it on other things. And realize, oh my friend, realize the privilege of just belonging to the Lord Jesus, being his soldier. Endure hardness, says Paul, writing to Timothy, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

You see, we're almost back to Ephesians 6, which is deliberate, because I want to go on from this to speak about handling the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, in our series. But I interject with this message because I think it's vital and relevant for us. Reuben, shame.

The tribe that sat by the campfire and heard the shrill call of the shepherds in the distance and the bleating of the sheep and were removed from the action. Reuben, shame, to their eternal discredit. Don't share it.

Amen. 378, and we can sing this very meaningfully from the context which we've just had from Scripture. Now, Lord, what we've sung, with emotion and enthusiasm, work out by the enabling of your Spirit so that we are delivered from hypocrisy in our singing and not delivering to you what we have vowed in these stanzas.

Grant us a special enduement of your power and keep us, Lord, where the action is, within the parameters of our gifts and our health, because we ask this of you. In the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.