Judges 5

The Song of Deborah
            This chapter is not only a song of praise for God’s deliverance of His chosen people, but also a picture of daily life for Israel at this time.
 
            Verse 2: It was never God’s desire that His people live in such misery and unrest. Their apostasy, rebellion, and general disobedience had brought upon themselves the LORD's chastisement. Yet God did not hesitate to avenge Israel when they finally repented and cried unto Him for deliverance. It was only when Barak and his army “willingly offered themselves” to God for His service that God did a mighty work on their behalf. This was the root of Israel’s problem: consistent rebellion and unwillingness to submit themselves to the Lord to do His will daily! This is the key to having a close and personal walk with God. We must willingly surrender ourselves to Him every day and do what He commands us. Israel’s sin was that of pride. They chose to do what they wanted to do, not what God had commanded them in His law. Because of this, they forfeited God’s blessings as well as His divine protection from their enemies.
 
            Verses 3-5: Deborah sings of God’s mighty deliverance, echoing the same poetic language that characterized the song of Moses (Deuteronomy 32) as well as that used by David in his psalms many generations later. It’s possible, in fact, that David was referencing this passage when he wrote Psalm 68:8. Verse 5 is a reference to God’s first appearance to Israel at Mount Sinai. (Exodus 19:18)
 
            Verses 6-11: Shamgar is a contemporary of Deborah, Barak, and Jael. It’s possible that Deborah summoned Shamgar and gave him his mission from God the same way she summoned Barak. During this time the main roads are unsafe because of Israel’s enemies. Thieves attack unsuspecting travelers, and because of this the people use alternate routes to get where they need to go. (v.6) Villages, too, are unsafe because there is no central, stable government in Israel. Small towns and villages are vulnerable to raids by Israel’s enemies, and this, in combination with the lack of godly male leadership, has caused severe disruption in the daily life of Israel. (v.7) Because the nation has turned away from God in favor of worshiping the false gods of the Canaanites, God punishes His people by allowing their enemies to attack them, and there are no godly men among the Israelites willing to go fight their enemies. (v.8) Verse 9 echoes and reaffirms the statement in verse 2. God uses those who willingly surrender themselves to Him for His service and divine plan.
            The city gates (v.11) is where Deborah and Barak muster “…the people of the LORD…”. In the ANE the gates of a city are where all the important men, primarily the elders and rulers, gather. Therefore this is the logical place one would go to summon the warriors of every tribe.
 
            Verses 12-18: This section details how Deborah and Barak summon the men to battle, though not all of the tribes respond to Deborah’s call. “Machir” (v.14) is referring to Manasseh, and “…the pen of the writer…” (v.14) refers to the recruiting staff held by the tribe of Zebulun. This is a staff held by the leaders of a military unit, according to the Moody Bible Commentary. Ephraim, Benjamin, Manasseh, Zebulun, Naphtali, and Issachar all answer the summons. Reuben, Gad, Asher, and Dan, however, refuse to join their brethren in war.
 
            Verses 19-23: This section describes the battle at the river Kishon. Taanach is “…on the southern edge of the Jezreel Valley, about 25 miles southwest of the Sea of Galilee. The Kishon River runs through the swampy lowlands to the north of the city.” (The Moody Bible Commentary) Verse 20 is poetic language that refers to God’s divine power against Sisera and his army. God used the natural elements, such as the Kishon River, to sweep away Israel’s enemies. Verse 22 is almost certainly poetic sarcasm, for it would be impossible for Sisera’s horses to be galloping and prancing when they and the chariots are mired in swampy marshlands. It’s also very likely that God causes an unexpected and torrential downpour at the start of the battle. This would have caused the river to overflow its banks, thus turning the tide of battle in Israel’s favor.
            The name “Meroz” in verse 23 clearly references a place, possibly a city or a village in or near Taanach. Deborah curses its people because they refused to aid the Israelites.
 
            Verses 24-27: This passage is a retelling of verses 17-24 of chapter 4. In addition to the milk Jael also gave Sisera some butter (v.25) and probably some bread to go with it. This helps explain why he was so quick to fall asleep afterwards. The weariness of battle combined with the heaviness of a full meal lulled him into a deep sleep. After driving the stake through his temples, Jael cut off Sisera’s head, another detail omitted from the account in the previous chapter.
 
            Verses 28-30: Deborah imagines the pain and longing that Sisera’s mother experienced as she waited desperately and vainly for her son’s return. Her maidens try to comfort her with the explanation that Sisera is delayed because he and his men are indulging in the spoils of victory, part of which includes raping the Israelite women. (v.30) This section is not meant to illicit sympathy for Sisera’s mother, but rather to serve as a dramatic flourish to the climax of Deborah’s song. While the Israelites are rejoicing in their victory, the enemies of God are left alone, destitute, and mourning the loss of their kinsman and children.
 
            Verse 31: Deborah gives a final note of praise to the LORD, comparing His children to the sun when it rises on a new day. God gives strength and victory to those that love Him and obey His commandments. Israel once again has peace and rest from her enemies for forty years.