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More Judges commentaries
Judges 2:1-15
God’s Anger in Action
Judges 2:16-23
Devine Testing of Israel
Judges 3:1-11
The Sinful Failure of Israel
Judges 3:12-31
Israel’s Apostasy is Described
Judges 4:1-24
Israel’s Woman Liberator
Judges 5:1-16
The Victory Song
Judges 5:17-31
Those Who Love Him Will Prosper
Judges 6:1-10
Conditions in Israel
Judges 6:11-24
The Commission of Gideon
Judges 6:25-29
Destroying the Pagan Altar
Judges 6:30-40
Confirming the Will of God
Judges 7:1-15
Who is on the Lord’s Side?
Judges 7:16-25
The Defeat of Gideon’s Foes
Judges 8:1-12
The Surprise Attack
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The Victory Song
Judges 5:1–16
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
Three boys in the schoolyard were bragging about who had the better father: The first boy says, “My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a poem, and they give him $100.” The second boy says, “That’s nothing. My Dad scribbles a few words on … More
Deborah’s and Borah’s song of victory is among the most beautiful poems of the Old Testament (v. 1). Probably Israel sang it for years after they were gone. The song begins with praise to the Lord for His great deeds during the Exodus and wilderness wandering(vv. 2-4). It then goes into the conditions that existed under the oppression of the Canaanites at that time (vv. 5-6).
It tells how before Deborah the land was in chaos. Deborah describes the distressed state of Israel under the tyranny of Jabin, that their salvation might appear more gracious. She shows what brought this misery upon them. It was their idolatry. During this turbulent period communications were disrupted, commercial trading was impossible, agriculture was affected and the villages were under attack. This desperate situation continued until Deborah brought deliverance to the nation (vv. 7-13).
The campaign could not have been undertaken without the support of the rulers of the different tribes so prominence is given to them throughout this song (vv. 14-16). While there is commendation given to the participating tribes there is also a stern rebuke of those who were more concerned about their own safety than the needs of their brethren. It is clear that the appeal made for their assistance fell on deaf ears and not even a token force was sent.Application
Criticism of those who do not come to our aid in a time of distress may be a condemnation of our own lack of coming to the help of our brethren when they are in need. Who have I helped in recent days who was in need and who could my family reach out to this week?
Judges 5:1-16 (English Standard Version)
Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day: "That the leaders took the lead in Israel, that the people offered 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. "LORD, when you went out from Seir, when you marched from the region of Edom, the earth trembled and the heavens dropped, yes, the clouds dropped water. The mountains quaked before the LORD, even Sinai before the LORD, the God of Israel. "In the days of Shamgar, son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were abandoned, and travelers kept to the byways. The villagers ceased in Israel; they ceased to be until I arose; I, Deborah, arose as a mother in Israel. When new gods were chosen, then war was in the gates. Was shield or spear to be seen among forty thousand in Israel? My heart goes out to the commanders of Israel who offered themselves willingly among the people. Bless the LORD. "Tell of it, you who ride on white donkeys, you who sit on rich carpets and you who walk by the way. To the sound of musicians at the watering places, there they repeat the righteous triumphs of the LORD, the righteous triumphs of his villagers in Israel. "Then down to the gates marched the people of the LORD. "Awake, awake, Deborah! Awake, awake, break out in a song! Arise, Barak, lead away your captives, O son of Abinoam. Then down marched the remnant of the noble; the people of the LORD marched down for me against the mighty. From Ephraim their root they marched down into the valley, following you, Benjamin, with your kinsmen; from Machir marched down the commanders, and from Zebulun those who bear the lieutenant's staff; the princes of Issachar came with Deborah, and Issachar faithful to Barak; into the valley they rushed at his heels. Among the clans of Reuben there were great searchings of heart. Why did you sit still among the sheepfolds, to hear the whistling for the flocks? Among the clans of Reuben there were great searchings of heart."
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