Observations:
(1) The beginning of the poets brings out the theme.5:2 “When the leaders took the lead in Israel,
When the people answered the call to war—
Praise the LORD!
The psalmist wanted to offer the praise to the LORD for the people who fought the war. It is because God called them out to fight. Plus, God Himself also came to them.
5:4 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.
5:5 The mountains trembled before the LORD, the God of Sinai;
before the LORD God of Israel.
God came to Israel just like when in Mount Sinai, God appeared before the people of Israel.
(2) How the LORD called out the warriors to figt was throuh rasing up of Deborah.
5:7 Warriors were scarce,
they were scarce in Israel,
until you arose, Deborah,
until you arose as a motherly protector in Israel.
5:8 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.
Before Deroah, few were willing to be warriors.
(3) Audience were gathered to listen to this victorious story
5:10 You who ride on light-colored female donkeys,
who sit on saddle blankets,
you who walk on the road, pay attention!
5:11a 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.
(EBC) All classes of travelers are told to listen as the singers recount God’s great acts (v.11). The wealthy often rode female donkeys, and sometimes kings used their colts (v.10; cf. Gen 49:11; Zech 9:9). Whether rich or poor, all would stop at the wells and have an opportunity to hear about the Lord’s “righteous acts.”
(4) Some tribe responded to the call of Deborah and Barak v.11b-15a. Some did not v.15b-18a.
v.16a Why do you remain among the sheepfolds,
listening to the shepherds playing their pipes for their flocks?
(EBC) The mention of campfires and flocks presents a tranquil picture, however, in contrast with war cries and clashing armies.
5:17 Gilead stayed put beyond the Jordan River.
As for Dan—why did he seek temporary employment in the shipyards?
(EBC & NET) Gilead was a grandson of Manasseh, but the term “Gilead” is more commonly used as a geographical designation for much of Transjordan.
Apparently the people of Gilead remained on the other side of the river and did not participate in the battle.
Perhaps the Danites, rather than rallying to Barak, were content to move to the Mediterranean coast and work in the shipyards.
(5) Among those who were unwilling to help v.23, the most rewarded of women should be Jael v.24.
Her craftiness against Sisera was praised v.25 followed by her commitment to kill him v.26.A mighty king was violently murdered by a woman v.27.
Reflections:
As leaders, Deborah and Barak gave their credit of their victory to God. They knew that the presence of God was crucial to their success. They wanted everyone to know what had happened.
Though they were instruments that God used to call people to war, some might still turn it down. They are more concerned about their own lives. They might live in a distant land and the war did not concern them. They were content in their lives along the coast.
The ultimate victory was won by a woman, Jael. It was probably unprecedented in their history, and therefore, showed that the victory was given by God. That was a good proof to those who did not participate in the war that they had missed the opportunity to fight the war with God.
What about you? Do we see what God wants us to do as a whole? As a family? church? country? Do you respond to the call? Or you miss the opportunity? With or without your help God is going to win, but you will regret that you missed the opportunity if you do not participate.
Audrey
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