Judges 5: 1 – 31
The Singing Sensations
1 Then Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam sang on that day, saying: 2 “When leaders lead in Israel, when the people willingly offer themselves, Bless the LORD! 3 “Hear, O kings! Give ear, O princes! I, even I, will sing to the LORD; I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel. 4 “ LORD, when You went out from Seir, when You marched from the field of Edom, the earth trembled and the heavens poured, the clouds also poured water; 5 The mountains gushed before the LORD, this Sinai, before the LORD God of Israel. 6 “In the days of Shamgar, son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were deserted, and the travelers walked along the byways. 7 Village life ceased, it ceased in Israel, until I, Deborah, arose, arose a mother in Israel. 8 They chose new gods; Then there was war in the gates; Not a shield or spear was seen among forty thousand in Israel. 9 My heart is with the rulers of Israel who offered themselves willingly with the people. Bless the LORD! 10 “ Speak, you who ride on white donkeys, who sit in judges’ attire, and who walk along the road. 11 Far from the noise of the archers, among the watering places, there they shall recount the righteous acts of the LORD, the righteous acts for His villagers in Israel; Then the people of the LORD shall go down to the gates. 12 “ Awake, awake, Deborah! Awake, awake, sing a song! Arise, Barak, and lead your captives away,O son of Abinoam! 13 “Then the survivors came down, the people against the nobles; The LORD came down for me against the mighty. 14 From Ephraim were those whose roots were in Amalek. After you, Benjamin, with your peoples,from Machir rulers came down, and from Zebulun those who bear the recruiter’s staff. 15 And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah; As Issachar, so was Barak sent into the valley under his command; Among the divisions of Reuben there were great resolves of heart. 16 Why did you sit among the sheepfolds, to hear the pipings for the flocks? The divisions of Reuben have great searchings of heart. 17 Gilead stayed beyond the Jordan, and why did Dan remain on ships? Asher continued at the seashore, and stayed by his inlets. 18 Zebulun is a people who jeopardized their lives to the point of death, Naphtali also, on the heights of the battlefield. 19 “The kings came and fought, then the kings of Canaan fought in Taanach, by the waters of Megiddo;They took no spoils of silver. 20 They fought from the heavens; The stars from their courses fought against Sisera. 21 The torrent of Kishon swept them away, that ancient torrent, the torrent of Kishon. O my soul, march on in strength! 22 Then the horses’ hooves pounded, the galloping, galloping of his steeds. 23 ‘Curse Meroz,’ said the angel of the LORD, ‘Curse its inhabitants bitterly, because they did not come to the help of the LORD, to the help of the LORD against the mighty.’ 24 “Most blessed among women is Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite; Blessed is she among women in tents. 25 He asked for water, she gave milk; She brought out cream in a lordly bowl. 26 She stretched her hand to the tent peg, her right hand to the workmen’s hammer; She pounded Sisera, she pierced his head, she split and struck through his temple. 27 At her feet he sank, he fell, he lay still; At her feet he sank, he fell; Where he sank, there he fell dead. 28 “The mother of Sisera looked through the window, and cried out through the lattice, ‘Why is his chariot so long in coming? Why tarries the clatter of his chariots?’ 29 Her wisest ladies answered her, yes, she answered herself, 30 ‘Are they not finding and dividing the spoil: To every man a girl or two; For Sisera, plunder of dyed garments, plunder of garments embroidered and dyed, two pieces of dyed embroidery for the neck of the looter?’ 31 “Thus let all Your enemies perish, O LORD! But let those who love Him be like the sun when it comes out in full strength.” So the land had rest for forty years.
For you older folks you knew of Sonny and Cher. And of course there was Donny and Marie. But if you want to go back to the original hit couple it was Debby and Barak. In fact all of chapter 5 covers their blockbuster record. With the Holy Word of God, this number one song of its day continues to be popular.
1 Then Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam sang on that day, saying:
Here is a tip you might not ever heard. We sing songs in order to remember. Some great Christian composures can take the Word of God and put it into a song. You and I both know that the more we sing the song then the more it stays in our memory. I love to hear the children sing. There is nothing sweeter than to hear their little voices sing words of praise and love to their loving God.
The Israelites were great in composing songs to remember Jehovah Adoni Yahweh’s miraculous deliverance from their enemies. Here again our Great Jehovah Elyon – The Lord Most High had Personally intervened and delivered the Israelites against overwhelming superior forces.
2 “When leaders lead in Israel, when the people willingly offer themselves, Bless the LORD!
One of the curses of the Lord that will happen, when nations turn away from Him, is that He takes away leaders. Evil spine less political folk walk around like they are better than everyone else. Most forget that they are voted in not for their own selfish pursuits, but to represent the people of their area. When godless people run a nation it will go down hill quickly. Look at what the prophet Isaiah said in chapter 9 verse 16, “For the leaders of this people cause them to err, And those who are led by them are destroyed.”
Just look around our country and you will see this is true. In fact the latest poll rating regarding confidence in our political leaders is less that 10%. Do you think this problem might also be a result of our own actions?
Then why would our Lord have this to say about us in the book of 2 Chronicles chapter 7 verse 14, “14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
I will raise my hand and confess that I am guilty, how about you? I have memorized this verse and I believe you need to also. Let it be a measuring tool to keep you on the right path.
If you have ever spent some time in the military then this fact is also a reality. Look at the rest of verse 2 which states, “when the people willingly offer themselves.” Lousy leaders effect those who serve in our Military. When they notice that they are not getting the proper equipment in order to do their jobs, or that their pay benefits are put on hold, they read the writing on the wall and leave the service. As a result we lose valuable leaders and soldiers. Here in this case both Deborah and Barak are good leaders so therefore the soldiers are willing to follow their lead and be willing to put their lives on the line – ‘when the people willingly offer themselves.’
3 “Hear, O kings! Give ear, O princes! I, even I, will sing to the LORD; I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel.
Many teachers remark that the bible was written by men. Well guess what, who do you think wrote this song? It was Deborah. In effect she is saying, ‘Hey, I, even me as a woman, is composing this worship song and by the lead of our Precious Holy Spirit, will have this song recorded for all eternity. Amen to that!
4 “ LORD, when You went out from Seir, when You marched from the field of Edom, the earth trembled and the heavens poured, the clouds also poured water; 5 The mountains gushed before the LORD, this Sinai, before the LORD God of Israel.
As mentioned in our last study, we read about how Barak had defeated Sisera and his army. But in truth the battle was won by our Great God. You see He caused a sever rain storm. Our Awesome Holy Master takes many times takes natural ways in which to show His Mighty Power.
When Sisera came against the Israelites he camped near the Kishon river. Our Awesome Holy Father caused such a rain storm that the river flooded and all the enemies chariots and heavy armor made them sitting ducks.
Barak just had to lead his light infantry down the mountain and reap the pickings. Psalm 68 verses 7 to 9 also points out God’s miraculous power and deliverance through storms, “ 7 O God, when You went out before Your people, when You marched through the wilderness, Selah 8 The earth shook; The heavens also dropped rain at the presence of God; Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel. 9 You, O God, sent a plentiful rain, whereby You confirmed Your inheritance, when it was weary.’
When you step out in faith and believe the promises of God, great things can happen to and for you. Deborah recognizes this as she mentions how God had made His Covenant with His people on Mount Sinai. She is confessing with her mouth and pen that our God Is A Faithful God Who keeps His Word. Moses wrote down these words in the book of Deuteronomy chapter 7 verse 9, “Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments.”
6 “In the days of Shamgar, son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were deserted, and the travelers walked along the byways.
Israelites dared not be found outside the protection of their settlements for fear of being attacked. Kind of sounds like what the Jewish settlers face today? The people had to deal secretly in order to avoid trouble from their enemies. These people lived constantly in terror. Not only were there people set on destroying them outside their country but even within their cities they feared for their lives.
7 Village life ceased, it ceased in Israel, until I, Deborah, arose, that I arose a mother in Israel.
The Lord made the change by raising up Deborah, and obedient daughter, to lead the nation of Israel. By her wisdom and guidance when was a true ‘mother’ who loved all the people of Israel.
Here is an important point for you to remember. When our Holy King wants us to get a major point of His, He repeats it twice. Look again at this verse and see if you pick up the double mentions of words - 7 Village life ceased, it ceased in Israel, until I, Deborah, arose, arose a mother in Israel.
The words ‘cease’ and ‘arose’ are repeated. How come? Living lives of peace and safety had long ago ‘cease’, but that was about to change, as our Supreme Majestic Sovereign Lord ‘arose’ and set things right again through His appointment of Deborah as the nation’s leader.
8 They chose new gods; Then there was war in the gates; Not a shield or spear was seen among forty thousand in Israel.
This verse tells the reason why all this heartache had come upon the people of Israel. It was a result of the Israelites rejection of The Only Living And True God for false gods. Although our Great Holy Yahweh had given His people clear direction in how they were to live, they turned away from obeying them. With this rejection, the temptation from foreign gods enticed the people and ultimately they reaped what they had sown.
9 My heart is with the rulers of Israel who offered themselves willingly with the people. Bless the LORD!
If you ever have some time, do a study of all the men, who signed the Declaration of Independence. These men by signing that form but their very lives on the line. If caught by the English they would probably just be taken out and hung. When you look at the Declaration of Independence notice the signature of John Hancock. He knew that the king of England had poor eyesight. When Mr. Hancock, who wasn’t in the insurance business, signed his name he declared that he wanted King George to know his signature. Amazing brave people just like the ones Deborah was thanking our Holy God for - 9 My heart is with the rulers of Israel who offered themselves willingly with the people. Bless the LORD!’
10 “ Speak, you who ride on white donkeys, who sit in judges’ attire, and who walk along the road.
Deborah here is calling upon all of Israel society to witness. To ride on a white donkey was like you riding around in a Lexus or BMW. Then we all can see that those who ‘walk along the road’ are the poorest people who cannot afford their own form of transportation.
11 Far from the noise of the archers, among the watering places, there they shall recount the righteous acts of the LORD, the righteous acts for His villagers in Israel; Then the people of the LORD shall go down to the gates.
The ‘wells’ were the places where the ‘news’ was broadcasted. When the people gathered to draw water for personal and for their flocks information was shared. Do you remember Abraham’s servant, who was designated to go back to Abraham’s country and find a wife for Isaac from his relatives? Where did he go to? Yes, a well. Look with me at Genesis chapter 24.
“ 1 Now Abraham was old, well advanced in age; and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things. 2 So Abraham said to the oldest servant of his house, who ruled over all that he had, “Please, put your hand under my thigh, 3 and I will make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell; 4 but you shall go to my country and to my family, and take a wife for my son Isaac.”5 And the servant said to him, “Perhaps the woman will not be willing to follow me to this land. Must I take your son back to the land from which you came?” 6 But Abraham said to him, “Beware that you do not take my son back there. 7 The LORD God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and from the land of my family, and who spoke to me and swore to me, saying, ‘To your descendants I give this land,’ He will send His angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there. 8 And if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be released from this oath; only do not take my son back there.” 9 So the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning this matter. 10 Then the servant took ten of his master’s camels and departed, for all his master’s goods were in his hand. And he arose and went to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor. 11 And he made his camels kneel down outside the city by a well of water at evening time, the time when women go out to draw water. 12 Then he said, “O LORD God of my master Abraham, please give me success this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham. 13 Behold, here I stand by the well of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water. 14 Now let it be that the young woman to whom I say, ‘Please let down your pitcher that I may drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink’—let her be the one You have appointed for Your servant Isaac. And by this I will know that You have shown kindness to my master.” 15 And it happened, before he had finished speaking, that behold, Rebekah, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, came out with her pitcher on her shoulder. 16 Now the young woman was very beautiful to behold, a virgin; no man had known her. And she went down to the well, filled her pitcher, and came up. 17 And the servant ran to meet her and said, “Please let me drink a little water from your pitcher.” 18 So she said, “Drink, my lord.” Then she quickly let her pitcher down to her hand, and gave him a drink. 19 And when she had finished giving him a drink, she said, “I will draw water for your camels also, until they have finished drinking.” 20 Then she quickly emptied her pitcher into the trough, ran back to the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels. 21 And the man, wondering at her, remained silent so as to know whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not. 22 So it was, when the camels had finished drinking, that the man took a golden nose ring weighing half a shekel, and two bracelets for her wrists weighing ten shekels of gold, 23 and said, “Whose daughter are you? Tell me, please, is there room in your father’s house for us to lodge?” 24 So she said to him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel, Milcah’s son, whom she bore to Nahor.” 25 Moreover she said to him, “We have both straw and feed enough, and room to lodge.” 26 Then the man bowed down his head and worshiped the LORD. 27 And he said, “Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken His mercy and His truth toward my master. As for me, being on the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master’s brethren.” 28 So the young woman ran and told her mother’s household these things. 29 Now Rebekah had a brother whose name was Laban, and Laban ran out to the man by the well. 30 So it came to pass, when he saw the nose ring, and the bracelets on his sister’s wrists, and when he heard the words of his sister Rebekah, saying, “Thus the man spoke to me,” that he went to the man. And there he stood by the camels at the well. 31 And he said, “Come in, O blessed of the LORD! Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house, and a place for the camels.” 32 Then the man came to the house. And he unloaded the camels, and provided straw and feed for the camels, and water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him. 33 Food was set before him to eat, but he said, “I will not eat until I have told about my errand.” And he said, “Speak on.” 34 So he said, “I am Abraham’s servant. 35 The LORD has blessed my master greatly, and he has become great; and He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male and female servants, and camels and donkeys. 36 And Sarah my master’s wife bore a son to my master when she was old; and to him he has given all that he has. 37 Now my master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell; 38 but you shall go to my father’s house and to my family, and take a wife for my son.’ 39 And I said to my master, ‘Perhaps the woman will not follow me.’ 40 But he said to me, ‘The LORD, before whom I walk, will send His angel with you and prosper your way; and you shall take a wife for my son from my family and from my father’s house. 41 You will be clear from this oath when you arrive among my family; for if they will not give her to you, then you will be released from my oath.’ 42 “And this day I came to the well and said, ‘O LORD God of my master Abraham, if You will now prosper the way in which I go, 43 behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass that when the virgin comes out to draw water, and I say to her, “Please give me a little water from your pitcher to drink,” 44 and she says to me, “Drink, and I will draw for your camels also,”—let her be the woman whom the LORD has appointed for my master’s son.’ 45 “But before I had finished speaking in my heart, there was Rebekah, coming out with her pitcher on her shoulder; and she went down to the well and drew water. And I said to her, ‘Please let me drink.’ 46 And she made haste and let her pitcher down from her shoulder, and said, ‘Drink, and I will give your camels a drink also.’ So I drank, and she gave the camels a drink also. 47 Then I asked her, and said, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ And she said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.’ So I put the nose ring on her nose and the bracelets on her wrists. 48 And I bowed my head and worshiped the LORD, and blessed the LORD God of my master Abraham, who had led me in the way of truth to take the daughter of my master’s brother for his son. 49 Now if you will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me. And if not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand or to the left.” 50 Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, “The thing comes from the LORD; we cannot speak to you either bad or good. 51 Here is Rebekah before you; take her and go, and let her be your master’s son’s wife, as the LORD has spoken.” 52 And it came to pass, when Abraham’s servant heard their words, that he worshiped the LORD, bowing himself to the earth. 53 Then the servant brought out jewelry of silver, jewelry of gold, and clothing, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave precious things to her brother and to her mother. 54 And he and the men who were with him ate and drank and stayed all night. Then they arose in the morning, and he said, “Send me away to my master.” 55 But her brother and her mother said, “Let the young woman stay with us a few days, at least ten; after that she may go.” 56 And he said to them, “Do not hinder me, since the LORD has prospered my way; send me away so that I may go to my master.” 57 So they said, “We will call the young woman and ask her personally.” 58 Then they called Rebekah and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” And she said, “I will go.” 59 So they sent away Rebekah their sister and her nurse, and Abraham’s servant and his men. 60 And they blessed Rebekah and said to her: “Our sister, may you become the mother of thousands of ten thousands; And may your descendants possess the gates of those who hate them.” 61 Then Rebekah and her maids arose, and they rode on the camels and followed the man. So the servant took Rebekah and departed. 62 Now Isaac came from the way of Beer Lahai Roi, for he dwelt in the South. 63 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field in the evening; and he lifted his eyes and looked, and there, the camels were coming. 64 Then Rebekah lifted her eyes, and when she saw Isaac she dismounted from her camel; 65 for she had said to the servant, “Who is this man walking in the field to meet us?” The servant said, “It is my master.” So she took a veil and covered herself. 66 And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. 67 Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent; and he took Rebekah and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.”
12 “ Awake, awake, Deborah! Awake, awake, sing a song! Arise, Barak, and lead your captives away, O son of Abinoam!
Now comes the call to the leaders to take action. Deborah is called to utter a prophecy. Barak is to lead the captives, who are the Israelites, because they had sold themselves into captivity by sin, to break free and fight again in the Lord’s army.
13 “Then the survivors came down, the people against the nobles; The LORD came down for me against the mighty. 14 From Ephraim were those whose roots were in Amalek. After you, Benjamin, with your peoples,from Machir rulers came down, and from Zebulun those who bear the recruiter’s staff. 15 And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah; As Issachar, so was Barak sent into the valley under his command; Among the divisions of Reuben there were great resolves of heart. 16 Why did you sit among the sheepfolds, to hear the pipings for the flocks? The divisions of Reuben have great searchings of heart. 17 Gilead stayed beyond the Jordan, and why did Dan remain on ships? Asher continued at the seashore, and stayed by his inlets. 18 Zebulun is a people who jeopardized their lives to the point of death, Naphtali also, on the heights of the battlefield.
The call to ‘arms’ had gone out to all the tribes, but some did not respond. We read in the Gospel of Matthew chapter 26 verse 41 these words from our Master, Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
The tribe of Reuben was unable to decide what to do. Moab was on their border so they had much to consider. So, in the end they saw things from a worldly standpoint. Why upset the cart? Why not try to live with the enemy they take a stand. Gilead represented the tribe of Gad and parts of Manasseh. Dan and Asher were also guilty of not obey the request from their brothers for help against their enemies.
The main bulk of the warriors came from the tribes of Issachar and Naphtali. They are recognized for their bravery and obedience to fight for freedom.
19 “The kings came and fought, then the kings of Canaan fought in Taanach, by the waters of Megiddo; They took no spoils of silver.
The enemy came into the land expecting great booty. As Deborah points out – it didn’t happen as they hoped for - They took no spoils of silver.’
20 They fought from the heavens; The stars from their courses fought against Sisera.
Stars in the bible represent angels. Here Deborah is recognizing that this complete victory was the effect of the Lord’s involvement. Hey, if you have the Lord on your side you will always win.
21 The torrent of Kishon swept them away, that ancient torrent, the torrent of Kishon. O my soul, march on in strength! 22 Then the horses’ hooves pounded, the galloping, galloping of his steeds.
Here again Deborah recognizes the miraculous deliverance of the Israelites because God controlled the weather. When you are part of God’s Mighty hand, I can tell you from personal experience that you are pumped to go for the gusto of all that the Lord is doing. Can you see how Deborah is caught up with God’s direct involvement?
23 ‘Curse Meroz,’ said the angel of the LORD, ‘Curse its inhabitants bitterly, because they did not come to the help of the LORD, to the help of the LORD against the mighty.’
I can tell you one thing that should scare the living daylights out of you. If our Holy God says something that He does not like about you – pay attention, repent, and seek His forgiveness immediately, if not sooner.
Meroz was part of the tribe of Naphtali in which Barak was part of. They alone out of the entire tribe refused to come and fight. This did not go unnoticed by our Precious God Who Sees all. Here we see two Members of The Blessed Holy Trinity involved. We see our Adoni Yahweh and Adoni Yeshua.
24 “Most blessed among women is Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite; Blessed is she among women in tents. 25 He asked for water, she gave milk; She brought out cream in a lordly bowl. 26 She stretched her hand to the tent peg, her right hand to the workmen’s hammer; She pounded Sisera, she pierced his head, she split and struck through his temple. 27 At her feet he sank, he fell, he lay still; At her feet he sank, he fell; Where he sank, there he fell dead.
As I mentioned in our last study, I want to offer something regarding the actions of Jael that most if not all teachers have mentioned.
You can see today how women in the Mid East avoid interaction with men. So, even more so in the past would they avoid communication with a strange man. Then you have to add the fact that she was a married woman. For her conversations and familiarity with Sisera, she could have been killed by order of her husband.
So, here is what I think was going on here. We have read in chapter 4 how Heber had settled his flocks and tents in the enemies territory.
Now I am going out on a limb here and you can make your own decisions, but I believe that Sisera took advantage of Jael. I believe that he raped her. Why else would she be set on killing him. How did she know him. She went out on purpose to seek Sisera out. She invited him into her husband’s tent, this in itself was a capital punishment if caught. Why did she offer him milk. As a ND [Naturopathic Doctor] I have recommended and have personally used mild as a way to sleep. She knew this fact also. Then consider her taking the mallet and spike and driving it through his head. This is a woman bent on getting revenge. She could have just waited outside her tent and signaled the Israelites on where Sisera was hiding. No, she wanted to take revenge on this evil guy herself.
I think another reason why I believe I am correct is in how Sisera’s mom had been bragging about her son and how he and his troops would take captive women for themselves and do whatever they wanted.
28 “The mother of Sisera looked through the window, and cried out through the lattice, ‘Why is his chariot so long in coming? Why tarries the clatter of his chariots?’ 29 Her wisest ladies answered her, yes, she answered herself, 30 ‘Are they not finding and dividing the spoil: To every man a girl or two; For Sisera, plunder of dyed garments, plunder of garments embroidered and dyed, two pieces of dyed embroidery for the neck of the looter?’
Sisera’s mom waited around with all the other women for their men to bring home the booty. Perhaps they were delayed because their was so much goods that they had a hard time gathering it all.
No, Deborah lead the people to focus again on their True and Living God Jehovah Elyon – The Lord Most High. And for that gratitude and correct obedience the Lord would grant the people of Israel forty years of peace and prosperity.
31 “Thus let all Your enemies perish, O LORD! But let those who love Him be like the sun when it comes out in full strength.” So the land had rest for forty years.
