The Victory Song
August 17, 2020
Commentary
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. 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 (NET)
1 On that day Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang this victory song:
2 “When the leaders took the lead in Israel, When the people answered the call to war— Praise the Lord!
3 Hear, O kings! Pay attention, O rulers! I will sing to the Lord! I will sing to the Lord God of Israel!
4 O Lord, when you departed from Seir, when you marched from Edom’s plains, the earth shook, the heavens poured down, the clouds poured down rain.
5 The mountains trembled before the Lord, the God of Sinai; before the Lord God of Israel.
6 In the days of Shamgar son of Anath, in the days of Jael caravans disappeared; travelers had to go on winding side roads.
7 Warriors were scarce; they were scarce in Israel, until you arose, Deborah, until you arose as a motherly protector in Israel.
8 God chose new leaders, then fighters appeared in the city gates; but, I swear, not a shield or spear could be found among forty military units in Israel.
9 My heart went out to Israel’s leaders, to the people who answered the call to war. Praise the Lord!
10 You who ride on light-colored female donkeys, who sit on saddle blankets, you who walk on the road, pay attention!
11 Hear the sound of those who divide the sheep among the watering places; there they tell of the Lord’s victorious deeds, the victorious deeds of his warriors in Israel. Then the Lord’s people went down to the city gates—
12 Wake up, wake up, Deborah! Wake up, wake up, sing a song! Get up, Barak! Capture your prisoners of war, son of Abinoam!
13 Then the survivors came down to the mighty ones; the Lord’s people came down to me as warriors.
14 They came from Ephraim, who uprooted Amalek; they follow after you, Benjamin, with your soldiers. From Makir leaders came down, from Zebulun came the ones who march carrying an officer’s staff.
15 Issachar’s leaders were with Deborah; the men of Issachar supported Barak; into the valley they were sent under Barak’s command. Among the clans of Reuben there was intense heart searching.
16 Why do you remain among the sheepfolds, listening to the shepherds playing their pipes for their flocks? As for the clans of Reuben—there was intense searching of heart.