JUDGES 5 IS A SONG OF PRAISE TO GOD FOR VICTORY THROUGH THE DELIVERER, JUDGE DEBORAH AND
HER MILITARY GENERAL, BARAK. THIS SONG GIVES US MORE DETAILS OF THE BATTLE AGAINST THE
CANAANITES AND SOME OF THE CONDITIONS OF THE TIME PERIOD.
READ JDG 5:1-5 A PRAISE TO GOD
THE CONDITION OF COOPERATION BETWEEN MAN AND GOD (2)
BECAUSE OF MAN’S FREE WILL, GOD DOES NOTHING WITHOUT MAN’S INITIAL
COOPERATION.
AS LONG AS THE PEOPLE WERE WILLING TO BE IN SLAVERY, GOD PERMITTED IT. WHEN THE PEOPLE
WERE WILLING TO OFFER THEMSELVES TO THE WILL OF GOD, GOD ACTED.
THIS BIBLICAL TRUTH WORKS OUT IN OUR PERSONAL LIVES AS WELL AS IN THE LIVES OF NATIONS.
READ JDG 5:6-11 A TIME OF LAWLESSNESS, WARFARE, AND IDOLATRY
DURING THE TIME OF JUDGE SHAMGAR AND THE TIME OF DEBORAH, LAWLESSNESS AND WARFARE WAS A
HUGE SOCIAL PROBLEM.
IT WAS NOT SAFE TO WALK THE STREETS. IT WAS NOT SAFE TO TRAVEL THROUGH THE COUNTRYSIDE.
IT WAS NOT SAFE FOR WOMEN TO DRAW WATER DAILY FROM THE WELLS.
THERE WERE FEW STRONG MALE LEADERS IN ALL OF ISRAEL. (7,9) WHAT LEADERS THERE WERE
FAILED TO LEGISLATE IN FAVOR OF SAFETY AND SECURITY. THEREFORE, GOD RAISED UP A WOMAN TO
LEAD THEM.
READ ROM 13:1-4
GOVERNMENT, WHETHER LOCAL OR NATIONAL, IS THERE BY THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD THAT ALLOWS
GOVERNMENTS TO WIELD THE SWORD (CAPITAL PUNISHMENT) FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING SAFETY
AND SECURITY TO SOCIETY. (GOVERNMENT’S DIVINE PURPOSE) (GEN 9:5-6)
THERE WAS A LACK OF ADEQUATE DEFENSIVE WEAPONS IN THE HANDS OF THE ISRAELITES. (8)
THEY CHOSE NEW GODS (8)
THE ISRAELITES WERE PEOPLE WHO WERE NOT FARMERS. NOW THEY MUST SETTLE DOWN AND FARM.
THEY HAD NOTICED THAT THE CANAANITES WERE GOOD FARMERS WHO PRODUCED ABUNDANT CROPS.
REMEMBER THE HUGE BUNCHES OF GRAPES THAT THE 12 SPIES DISCOVERED IN THE LAND OF CANAAN
IN NUM 13:23.
TO WHAT DID THE CANAANITES OWE THEIR ABUNDANT HARVESTS? THE CANAANITES CLAIMED IT WAS
THEIR FERTILITY GODS THAT ENABLED THEM TO SUCCEED AT FARMING.
THE ISRAELITES WERE ATTRACTED TO THESE FERTILITY GODS AND THOUGHT THEY NEEDED THEM TO
FARM THE LAND SUCCESSFULLY.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PEACE (10-11):
VERSES 10-11 SPEAK OF THOSE FEW GODLY LEADERS IN THE LAND THAT PROVIDED SECURITY FOR THE
PEOPLE.
A NATION THAT DESIRES PEACE NEEDS TO PURSUE THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN:
READ PSA 85
WHAT IS IT THAT CAUSES GOD TO BRING PEACE TO A LAND?
WHEN MERCY AND TRUTH ARE PRESENT, RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PEACE HAVE KISSED EACH OTHER. (PSA
85:10)
WHEN PEOPLE ALLOW GOD’S TRUTH TO PREVAIL IN THE NATION, THEN PEOPLE LIVE IN A
SPIRIT OF MERCY AND FORGIVENESS WITH EACH OTHER AND WITH GOD.
THAT IS WHEN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PEACE KISS EACH OTHER.
IN OTHER WORDS, PEOPLE ARE LIVING RIGHT AND PEACE IS THE RESULT.
DEBORAH SEEKS VOLUNTEERS TO HELP HER AMONG THE RICH, AMONG THE LEADERS, AND AMONG THE
POOR (9-11)
THOSE ON WHITE ASSES = THE RICH
THOSE WHO SIT IN JUDGMENT = THE LEADERS
THOSE WHO WALK BY THE WAY = THE POOR
READ JDG 5:12-22 FROM WHENCE DOES HELP COME?
GOD COMMANDS DEBORAH AND BARAK TO EXERCISE THEIR AUTHORITY.
BARAK HAD COMMAND OVER THE NOBLES WHILE DEBORAH HAD COMMAND OVER THE "MIGHTY"
(THE TOP LEADERS OF VARIOUS TRIBES).
TWO OF THE 12 TRIBES OF ISRAEL FOUGHT VALIENTLY BESIDE DEBORAH AND BARAK. THEY ARE
COMMENDED FOR DOING ALL THEY COULD (18):
THE TRIBES OF ZEBULUN AND NAPHTALI.
SOME OF THE OTHER TRIBES AGREE TO SOME SENSE OF PARTIAL UNITY, PARTIAL HELP, AND
COOPERATION, WHILE OTHER TRIBES DO NOTHING AT ALL TO HELP HER.
THE TRIBES OF EPHRAIM,BENJAMIN, AND ISSACHAR JOIN DEBORAH. (14)
HOWEVER, THE TONE IN THE CHAPTER IS THAT THIS IS A HALF-HEARTED ATTEMPT ON THEIR PART
BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT LISTED ALONG WITH ZEBULUN AND NAPHTALI. =(THOSE WHO DON’T
BELIEVE IN THE CAUSE BUT OUT OF SOME SENSE OF LOYALTY, DO THE MINIMUM EXPECTED.)
MAKIR, IS A DIVISION OF THE TRIBE OF MANASSEH WHO SENT A FEW LEADERS TO HELP.
(14) =(THOSE WHO DON’T REALLY BELIEVE IN THE CAUSE BUT WANT TO MAKE A POLITICAL
PRETENSE OF LOYALTY.)
THE TRIBE OF REUBEN THOUGHT ABOUT SENDING HELP BUT DID NOTHING TO SUPPORT
DEBORAH. (15)
THE REUBENITES DECIDED THAT IT WAS BETTER TO IGNORE THE THREAT AND STAY WITH THEIR
FLOCKS. =(THOSE WHO DENY THE PRESENT THREAT)
THE TRIBE OF DAN DID NOT HELP. THEY THOUGHT IT WAS BETTER TO CONTINUE THEIR
TRADING BUSINESS. (17) =(THOSE WHO PROMOTE COMMERCIALISM AND MATERIALISM AS THE ANSWER TO
EVERYTHING.)
THE TRIBE OF ASHER DID NOT HELP. THEY STAYED ON THE COAST. (17) =(THOSE WHO
CAN’T BE BOTHERED BECAUSE OF THE PURSUIT OF PLEASURE.)
THE SONG MENTIONS THE FAILURE AND PARTIAL FAILURE OF 7 OF THE 12 TRIBES, WHICH INDICATES
THE COMPLETENESS OF THE ISRAELITE FAILURES DUE TO THEIR FEELINGS OF APATHY, SELF-INTEREST,
ANTAGONISM, AND DIVISIVENESS IN THE NATION.
(NUMBER 7 IS A BIBLIBLICAL SYMBOLIC NUMBER FOR GOD’S PERFECT NUMBER OF
COMPLETENESS.)
GOD INTERVENES IN THE BATTLE (21)
GOD SENT AN UN-SEASONAL RAINFALL AND HAIL THAT CAUSED THE IRON CHARIOTS TO BECOME STUCK
IN THE MUD.
READ JDG 5:23 THE REBUKE OF THE ANGEL OF THE LORD
WHO IS THE ANGEL OF THE LORD?
THE PHRASE, ANGEL OF THE LORD, IS AN OLD TESTAMENT REFERENCE TO THE PRE-INCARNATE
CHRIST.
THIS IS AN APPEARANCE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT OF JESUS CHRIST AS THE SECOND MEMBER OF THE
TRINITY BEFORE HE WAS BORN IN A MANGER IN BETHLEHEM.
THE LORD REBUKES THE TRIBES WHO DID NOT HELP DEBORAH AND THE CITY OF MEROZ FOR NOT
HELPING DEBORAH IN GOD’S WORK.
THE NAME, MEROZ, MEANS = SECRET. IN FACT, IT IS SO SECRET THAT THE EXACT LOCATION OF THE
CITY OF MEROZ IS UNKNOWN!
PERHAPS THIS CITY IS SEVERELY REBUKED BY THE LORD BECAUSE IT WAS IN THE PATH OF
SISERA’S FLIGHT AND THEY DID NOTHING TO STOP HIM.
THE REBUKE IS ALSO DIRECTED AGAINST THE TRIBES OF REUBEN, GAD (GILEAD), PARTS OF
MANASSEH, DAN, AND ASHER.
THE BATTLE AGAINST GOD’S ENEMIES WAS GOD’S WORK.
THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE TODAY WHO SAY THAT NATIONS SHOULD AVOID WARFARE NO MATTER WHAT
HAPPENS. THAT IS A NOBLE IDEA BUT VERY NAÏVE IN A WORLD WHERE SATAN, GOD’S ENEMY, IS
HARD AT WORK TO DESTROY GOD’S PEOPLE.
THERE ARE SOME BATTLES AGAINST EVIL THAT CANNOT BE AVOIDED.
THIS PASSAGE INDICATES THAT THE LORD LOOKS DOWN WITH DISDAIN ON THOSE WHO DO NOT PROMOTE
UNITY AND HELPFULNESS IN THE WORK OF GOD AGAINST THE ENEMY.
READ JDG 5:24-31 BLESSINGS FOR JAEL AND THE NATURE OF A WOMAN’S HEART:
REMEMBER FROM OUR LAST LESSON THAT JAEL WAS THE GENTILE WOMAN WHO HELPED DEBORAH AND
BARAK WHEN SHE KILLED THE CANAANITE GENERAL, SISERA.
JAEL IS THE HEROINE OF THE DAY. SHE IS THE JOAN OF ARK AND THE MOLLY PITCHER OF THE
AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
WHEN GOD CAN’T USE MEN, HE USES WOMEN.
BARAK WAS WEAK AND HESITANT IN FAITH AND OBEDIENCE, SO GOD USED DEBORAH. BUT EVEN
DEBORAH DOES NOT GET THE CREDIT FOR CAPTURING THE ENEMY GENERAL. THE HONOR GOES TO JAEL, A
GENTILE.
WHEN GOD CAN’T USE A JEW, HE WILL USE A GENTILE.
DISCUSSION:
HOW CAN GOD COMMEND JAEL FOR SUCH A CRUEL ACT OF MURDER?
IN ANSWERING THIS QUESTION, WE MUST CONSIDER SEVERAL ASPECTS:
GOD’S VIEW OF THE BATTLE BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL, GOD VERSUS SATAN.
DOES GOD CONDONE WARFARE?
THE ANSWER IS YES AND NO.
IN THE OLD TESTAMENT, GOD OPPOSED A NATION GOING TO WAR WITH WRONG MOTIVES. (FOR
EXAMPLE, ASSYRIA WENT TO WAR AGAINST ISRAEL TO DESTROY GOD’S PEOPLE AND WERE
DESTROYED INSTEAD.)
IN THE OLD TESTAMENT GOD TOLD HIS PEOPLE TO GO TO WAR AGAINST THEIR ENEMIES IN THE BOOK
OF JOSHUA TO TAKE POSSESSION OF THE LAND.
DOES GOD TAKE SIDES IN WARFARE?
THE ANSWER IS YES AND NO.
IN THE OLD TESTAMENT, GOD SIDED WITH THE NATION THAT FULFILLED HIS PLAN. (FOR EXAMPLE,
GOD SIDED WITH BABYLON WHEN WAR PUNISHED THE ISRAELITES FOR THEIR IDOLATRY, BUT GOD SIDED
WITH ISRAEL WHEN THEY WERE IN DANGER OF BEING TOTALLY DESTROYED.)
HOWEVER, GOD DOES NOT TAKE SIDES IN A WAR WHEN IT IS INCIDENTAL OR UNIMPORTANT TO HIS
PLAN.
THE GOOD OF SOCIETY AS A WHOLE.
THE EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE TIME (THIS WAS A TIME OF WARFARE.)
THE WORDS OF THIS SONG IN JDG 5 ARE DEBORAH’S WORDS. WE SEE IN IT THE HEART OF A
WOMAN.
ONLY A WOMAN AND A MOTHER WOULD THINK ABOUT THE FEELINGS OF ANOTHER MOTHER LOOKING FOR
HER SON TO RETURN HOME AFTER BATTLE. EVEN THOUGH THAT WOMAN IS THE MOTHER OF THE HATED
ENEMY, SISERA, DEBORAH HAS COMPASSION FOR SISERA’S MOTHER WHO WAITS IN VAIN FOR HER
SON TO RETURN HOME.
SUMMARY AND APPLICATION:
WHAT IMPRESSIVE PHRASES DO WE SEE IN THIS SONG?
PERSONALLY, ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING VERSES IN THE SONG IS VERSE 8.
THEY CHOSE NEW GODS THEN THERE WAS WAR IN THE GATES.
THE GATE OF A CITY WAS THE LOCATION OF THE GOVERNMENT, THE COURT SYSTEM, AND THE PLACE
OF COMMERCE.
THERE WAS WAR IN THE GATES BECAUSE THE PEOPLE WERE WEAK AND UNPREPARED FOR WAR.
THE ISRAELITES DID NOT HAVE IRON WEAPONS LIKE THE PAGAN TRIBES AROUND THEM. THEREFORE,
THE PAGAN TRIBES VIEWED THE ISRAELITES AS WEAK AND AN EASY TARGET.
ANOTHER VERY INTERESTING PHRASE IS IN VERSE 20. "THEY FOUGHT FROM HEAVEN, THE STARS
IN THEIR COURSES FOUGHT AGAINST SISERA."
THIS VERSE INDICATES THAT THIS IS NOT JUST AN EARTHLY BATTLE, BUT A SPIRITUAL BATTLE AS
WELL.
ANOTHER VERY INTERESTING PHRASE IS IN VERSE 24. "BLESSED ABOVE WOMEN SHALL
JAEL….BE…"
THIS PHRASE REMINDS US OF THE PHRASE USED FOR MARY, THE MOTHER OF JESUS IN LUK 1:42
"BLESSED ART THOU AMONG WOMEN…"
WE HAVE CONSIDERED SEVERAL ASPECTS THAT PERTAIN TO OUR PRESENT DAY SITUATION WHICH
CURRENTLY CAUSE MUCH CONTROVERSY AND ARGUMENT IN THE HALLS OF POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT.
WHAT ARE THEY?
=1= DANGERS IN SOCIETY BECAUSE OF LAWLESSNESS.
=2= THE DEVASTATING ASPECTS OF A DIVIDED NATION.
=3= THE ROLE OF TRUTH, MERCY, AND RIGHTEOUSNESS IN REGARDS TO PEACE.
=4= THE ROLE OF WOMEN.
=5= THE NECESSARY AWFULNESS OF WARFARE.
HOMEWORK
JUDGES 6
APPLICATION OF JDG 5
CONSIDER THE FIVE ASPECTS OF THE CHAPTER THAT PERTAIN TO OUR PRESENT DAY.
HOW WILL THE TRUTHS WE DISCOVERED IN THIS CHAPTER AFFECT YOUR PRAYER LIFE IN RESPECT TO
THESE 5 ASPECTS?
=1= LAWLESSNESS IN SOCIETY
=2= DIVISIVENESS IN THE NATION
=3= TRUTH, MERCY, AND RIGHTEOUSNESS THAT BRING PEACE.
=4= THE ROLE OF WOMEN.
=5= THE AWFULNESS OF WARFARE.
PREPARATION FOR JDG 6
READ JDG 6:1-40
WHEN THE LORD FOUND GIDEON UNDER A TREE, WAS GIDEON A MAN OF COURAGE AND FAITH OR A WEAK
COWARDLY MAN? HOW DO YOU KNOW?
WHERE DO YOU SEE A VERSE THAT DISPLAYS GOD’S MARVELOUS SENSE OF HUMOR?
HOW DOES GOD ENCOURAGE GIDEON?
WHAT EXCUSE DOES GIDEON GIVE TO GOD AFTER GOD CALLS HIM TO BE THE NEXT JUDGE?
IN GIDEON’S FIRST TEST OF FAITH, WHAT IS HIS ATTITUDE? (14-27)
AFTER THE HOLY SPIRIT CAME UPON GIDEON (34), WHY DID HE NEED TO SET OUT THE FLEECE?