Judges 5:14-31
14 “From Ephraim those whose root is in Amalek came down,
Following you, Benjamin, with your peoples;
From Machir commanders came down,
And from Zebulun those who wield the staff of office.
15 “And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah;
As was Issachar, so was Barak;
Into the valley they rushed at his heels;
Among the divisions of Reuben
There were great determinations of heart.
16 “Why did you sit among the sheepfolds,
To hear the piping for the flocks?
Among the divisions of Reuben
There were great searchings of heart.
17 “Gilead remained across the Jordan;
And why did Dan stay on ships?
Asher sat at the seashore,
And remained by its landings.
18 “Zebulun was a people who risked their lives,
And Naphtali too, on the high places of the field.
19 “The kings came and fought;
Then the kings of Canaan fought
At Taanach near the waters of Megiddo;
They took no plunder in silver.
20 “The stars fought from heaven,
From their paths they fought against Sisera.
21 “The torrent of Kishon swept them away,
The ancient torrent, the torrent Kishon.
My soul, march on with strength!
22 “Then the horses’ hoofs beat
From the galloping, the galloping of his mighty stallions.
23 ‘Curse Meroz,’ said the angel of the Lord,
‘Utterly curse its inhabitants,
Because they did not come to the help of the Lord,
To the help of the Lord against the warriors.’
24 “Most blessed of women is Jael,
The wife of Heber the Kenite;
Most blessed is she of women in the tent.
25 “He asked for water, she gave him milk;
In a magnificent bowl she brought him curds.
26 “She reached out her hand for the tent peg,
And her right hand for the workmen’s hammer.
Then she struck Sisera, she smashed his head;
And she shattered and pierced his temple.
27 “Between her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay;
Between her feet he bowed, he fell;
Where he bowed, there he fell dead.
28 “Out of the window she looked and wailed,
The mother of Sisera through the lattice,
‘Why does his chariot delay in coming?
Why do the hoofbeats of his chariots delay?’
29 “Her wise princesses would answer her,
Indeed she repeats her words to herself,
30 ‘Are they not finding, are they not dividing the spoils?
A concubine, two concubines for every warrior;
To Sisera a spoil of dyed cloth,
A spoil of dyed cloth embroidered,
Dyed cloth of double embroidery on the neck of the plunderer?’
31 “May all Your enemies perish in this way, Lord;
But may those who love Him be like the rising of the sun in its might.”
And the land was at rest for forty years.
The Song of Deborah (2)
The song of Deborah
Deborah’s song consists of nine stanzas. Let us now look at the latter half of the song.
Fifth stanza (v 14-18): Various tribes are either praised or rebuked. The tribes that received praise include the tribe of Ephraim (Deborah’s tribe), Benjamin, Zebulun (a tribe that possessed the territory of the Jezreel Valley), Issachar, and Naphtali (Barak’s tribe). The tribes that were rebuked for not participating in the battle were Reuben, the people of Gilead (the tribes of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh), Dan, and Asher. There is no praise or rebuke for the tribes of Judah and Simeon. It is likely that they were engaged in battle against the Philistines in the coastal region. The attitudes of each tribe at the time became a lasting legacy. Those who act with faith and courage will preserve their honor.
Sixth stanza (v 19-23): It is mentioned, “The stars fought from heaven.” This expression likely refers to heavy rain. If we interpret the word “stars” symbolically, it refers to “angels.” In that case, it signifies the participation of the heavenly host in this battle. Both interpretations are possible. The overflowing of the Kishon River and the plight it caused for the Canaanite chariot forces are described in the song.
Seventh stanza (v 24-27): Here, it depicts the scene of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, striking down Sisera. There are no words of condemnation for Jael’s actions. Jael, contrary to her husband’s intentions, sided with Israel and demonstrated her faith in the Lord.
Eight stanza (v 28-30): It contrasts “the mother of Israel,” Deborah, with “the mother of Sisera.” Sisera’s mother tries to explain the delay in her son’s return through optimistic speculations. However, her son had been killed.
Ninth stanza (v 31): Those who oppose Israel are, in fact, opposing the Lord. The clauses of the Abrahamic covenant are sung, stating that those who bless Israel will be blessed, and those who curse Israel will be cursed.
Deborah’s song teaches that those who rise up in reliance on the Lord will have victory. Let us make a decision now to act with faith and courage.
Today's prayer
Holy God of Israel, those who act with faith and courage will uphold their honor. Please help me walk a life that is worthy of Your praise. I pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.