The song of Deborah praises God but also blesses and curses human characters. Some were involved in the deliverance, while others were not.
The song’s focus is on two main subjects: God and the human warriors who stepped up to address Israel’s problem.
“When locks are long in Israel, when the people offer themselves willingly— bless the Lord!
“Hear, O kings; give ear, O princes; to the Lord I will sing, I will make melody to the Lord, the God of Israel” (Judges 5:2-3).
The song starts by acknowledging God’s part in the victory. Whenever His people win, God’s involvement is clear. Baal was thought to control the clouds and rain, but here, it is God who demonstrates His power.
“Lord, when you went out from Seir, when you marched from the region of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heavens poured, the clouds indeed poured water.
The mountains quaked before the Lord, the One of Sinai, before the Lord, the God of Israel (Judges 5:4-5).
Studying the modern worship of God or our obsession with today’s substitutes for God involves examining how we use language. Deborah credited God first for defeating both the enemy and their gods.
Do we give God first place when we achieve victories or significant accomplishments? Or do we praise our human abilities instead?
Deborah and Barak
The human leaders were Deborah and Barak. For them to take action, God had to call them, and they had to respond.
“Awake, awake, Deborah! Awake, awake, utter a song! Arise, Barak, lead away your captives, O son of Abinoam” (Judges 5:12).
Some tribes joined Barak and Deborah. However, Reuben, Gilead, Dan, and Asher chose not to go to war.
“Why did you tarry among the sheepfolds, to hear the piping for the flocks? Among the clans of Reuben there were great searchings of heart”
Gilead stayed beyond the Jordan; and Dan, why did he abide with the ships? Asher sat still at the coast of the sea, settling down by his landings.
Zebulun is a people that scorned death; Naphtali too, on the heights of the field (Judges 5:16-18).
Jesus called us to a different kind of war. He has called us to share the good news of God’s love with others, helping them to love God and become His followers.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
And teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20).
The question for us is whether we will be like Deborah and Barak and follow his directions? Or, will we be like the tribes who refused the call to enter the war for personal safety or gain?
Victory in Battle
In contrast to those who didn’t join the battle, a foreign woman acted courageously and defeated the general of the enemy army.
“Most blessed of women be Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, of tent-dwelling women most blessed” (Judges 5:24).
A common theme in history is that it’s written by the winners. In the Song of Deborah, she tells a story of victory. Unlike some ancient tales from pagan nations that exaggerate their triumphs, Deborah speaks of God’s victory and the defeat of the enemy general by a foreign woman.
The song concludes as it began with praise to God for his gracious activity.
“So perish all your enemies, O Lord! But may your friends be like the sun as it rises in its might.” And the land had rest forty years (Judges 5:31).
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this song on YouTube today.
Real Voices 