Celebrate Good Times/Facing the Music- Judges 5

I struggled to give this message a title as I was preparing for this Sunday. Given what we will be looking at, I wasn’t sure whether or not to call this sermon “Celebrate good times, Come on!” or “Facing the Music.” The truth is, songs can hit different people in different ways and create different responses. The same is true in the tune recorded for us in Judges 5. As Deborah and Barak celebrate the victory God gave them over Canaan, their celebratory stanzas communicate important and powerful principles that will have us singing along with great joy, or quietly considering what is being said in a spirit of conviction (or some combination of the two). This makes for an especially compelling piece of music! Therefore, let us press “play” and pay careful attention to six celebratory stanzas contained in the song of victory found in Judges 5:1-31.

a. CELEBRATION OF LEADERSHIP-5:1-5

Following the high of their victory over Sisera and the Canaanite army, Deborah and Barak break out into song—"Then Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam sang on that day,…” (5:1). While Barak is introduced as one of the singers in verse 1, he, given his hesitancy in battle and absence during the demise of Sisera, is conspicuously absent from the stanzas that will be heard. This fulfills what Deborah predicted in 4:9 when she revealed that because of his lack of faith, the glory of victory would be kept from him. That said, he is not kept from singing and celebrating here. Their song begins as follows: “That the leaders led in Israel, that the people volunteered, Bless the Lord!” (5:2). From the very beginning, God is given the credit that he is due for the victory provided. Leaders may have been involved and people may have volunteered, but these components were only present because of how the Lord moved and empowered. Make no mistake, the same is true in every episode where God’s people are successful.

The celebration of God’s leadership continues in verses 3-5-“Hear, O kings; give ear, O rulers! I—to the Lord, I will sing, I will sing praise to the Lord, the God of Israel. Lord, when You went out from Seir, when You marched from the field of Edom, the earth quaked, the heavens also dripped, even the clouds dripped water. The mountains quaked at the presence of the Lord, this Sinai, at the presence of the Lord, the God of Israel.” This song of praise is unmistakably directed “to the Lord” (a phrase repeated twice here in the same breath!). He is celebrated as the God of Israel (as opposed to the inferior/false gods just exposed as weak and feckless in Canaan). Evidence of Lord’s leadership is witnessed in the theophanies listed in this stanza—i.e. physical manifestations/demonstrations of God’s power. Things like the earth quaking and the “heavens dripping” with rain illustrate that God was on their side.

Like the “Tiger roar” on the hills of Augusta in the spring, the earth quaking and the heavens dripping demonstrated that something big, unmissable, and especially intimidating was approaching—the God of Israel. While the world saw a relatively small and weak set of tribes, God’s leadership and all the power and provision that was associated therewith, rendered Israel a force to be reckoned with. This is what is celebrated here.

Today’s church ought to appreciate this as she is about her mission. Though the body of Christ may be looked upon as “unnecessary” or “inessential” by those in the world, she must remember that she has the backing of God himself. He is the power and provision behind all she does and he promises her victory in the end. Many institutions will come and go but the body of Christ will endure forever.

b. CELEBRATION OF INSPIRATION-5:6-11

Next, there comes a celebration of the inspiration given for meeting the challenge of the Canaanites. First, the stanza provides an account of where the inspiration came from—God speaking through Deborah—“ In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, In the days of Jael, the highways were deserted, And travelers went by roundabout ways. The peasantry ceased, they ceased in Israel, Until I, Deborah, arose, Until I arose, a mother in Israel…” (5:6-7). In this account Deborah emerges in a difficult situation. The writer paints a picture of desolation and danger in Israel during the days of the Canaanite oppression. Travel was restricted and roads in Israel were unsafe. Some speculate that trade was disrupted or rendered too expensive or difficult to engage in, leaving people taking routes off the beaten path. That said, things took a positive turn when Deborah, the prophetess emerged like a protective mother “passionately committed to Israel’s well-being” (Ackerman, Warrior, Dancer, Seductress, Queen, 43).

Not only was their economic unrest due to dangerous roads and tedious trading routes, the writer reveals “New gods were chosen; then war was in the gates. Not a shield or a spear was seen among forty thousand in Israel…” (5:8). Idolatry and conflict were the order of the day for Israel during this time and, worse yet, the people were ill-prepared for such. No weapons were available to Israel’s population, leaving them defenseless from the pressures that surrounded them. Things were dire and it would take much inspiration to move beyond this “new normal.”

This inspiration is what is given in verses 9-11—“ My heart goes out to the commanders of Israel, the volunteers among the people; Bless the Lord! You who ride on white donkeys, you who sit on rich carpets, and you who travel on the road—sing! At the sound of those who divide flocks among the watering places, There they shall recount the righteous deeds of the Lord, The righteous deeds for His peasantry in Israel. Then the people of the Lord went down to the gates…”. Celebrating after the fact, Deborah remembers the commanders and volunteers who were inspired to act. She then calls upon those looking on to “bless the Lord” for the victory given to Israel. After all, one consequence of Israel’s victory was the reopening of the trade routes and roadways, allowing safe passage to travelers and merchants abroad. Those experiencing the positive benefits of the victory given Israel are encouraged to recount the righteous deeds of the Lord who paved the way for their blessing. God had used the humble people of Israel—“his peasantry in Israel”—to provide for their well being too. In other words, a victory for Israel was also a reason for the world to celebrate.

When God blesses his people, he does so, in part, to bless the world around them. This is true today. When God sustains a body of believers through crisis, he does so, in part, for the benefit of those in the context around that congregation. Both Israel and the Church were to be agents of blessing to those around them. It is when they forget this or neglect this that they get into trouble.

c. CELEBRATION OF PARTNERSHIP-5:12-18

Next, the song celebrates the partnership God used to bring the victory to his people. First, “the originals” are identified—" Awake, awake, Deborah; Awake, awake, sing a song! Arise, Barak, and take away your captives, O son of Abinoam….” (5:12). Let us go back to the beginning of chapter 4. Israel is in the dire straits mentioned above and there is no courageous leadership in the land. The people of God are under the oppression of Canaan and there is no deliverer to be found. It is in this situation that God speaks to a prophetess—Deborah—who then convinces Barak—(a “lightning bolt” not living up to his name)—to lead a coalition against Canaan’s mighty army. These two form the nucleus of the coalition that God puts together to wipe out Israel’s enemy in this cycle of the judges.

Added to these two are the tribes of Israel who join their ranks, forming an army—“Then survivors came down to the nobles; The people of the Lord came down to me as warriors. From Ephraim those whose root is in Amalek came down, Following you, Benjamin, with your peoples; From Machir commanders came down, And from Zebulun those who wield the staff of office. And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah; As was Issachar, so was Barak; Into the valley they rushed at his heels; Among the divisions of Reuben There were great resolves of heart…Zebulun was a people who despised their lives even to death, And Naphtali also, on the high places of the field…” (13-15, 18). These courageous tribes are commended for their participation in God’s program of victory. These are the ones who rose to the occasion amidst difficulty, responding positively to the call of God and his chosen leaders.

However, interrupting the commendations voiced of these faithful tribes in verses 13-15 and 18 is the identification of those tribes who remained on the bench and decided not to be involved—“ Why did you sit among the sheepfolds, To hear the piping for the flocks? Among the divisions of Reuben There were great searchings of heart. Gilead remained across the Jordan; And why did Dan stay in ships? Asher sat at the seashore, and remained by its landings…” (5:16-17). These pointed questions lodged against the non-participants are intended to convict these tribes for their apathy. Regardless of their reasons for not joining the cause of God, their lack of solidarity contributes to their shame in this episode, shame that this song calls attention to and shame that echoes whenever this song is read (even to this day).

Oh that this would not be said of the church in general or of individual churches in particular—that they did not participate in the mission of God or contribute to what God was doing in this season or that! May we never be caught apathetic toward what has been called of us! May we never relegate ourselves to the bench when the game is on the line! There is no compelling excuse for not joining the Lord on his mission and contributing to the calling he has placed on us. When we don’t participate with God on his mission, we bring shame upon ourselves.

d. CELEBRATION OF VICTORY IN BATTLE-5:19-23

Following the acknowledgement of the active players (and the benchwarmers) is a celebration of victory in battle—“ The kings came and fought; Then fought the kings of Canaan at Taanach near the waters of Megiddo; They took no plunder in silver...” (5:19). To put this in context, you have, at most, six tribes coming together (not a full dozen as was possible) against the formidable forces of Canaan led by Sisera, complete with 900 iron clad chariots. This hardly seems like a fair fight. And yet, what looks like a sure bet in favor of Sisera and the Canaanites turns into the upset of the ages when God comes through and provides in Israel’s weakness.

God’s involvement is described as follows: “The stars fought from heaven, from their courses they fought against Sisera. The torrent of Kishon swept them away, The ancient torrent, the torrent Kishon. O my soul, march on with strength. Then the horses’ hoofs beat from the dashing, the dashing of his valiant steeds…” (5:20-22). Though this is a figurative retelling of the battle raged, this description provides us with some clues as to how God came through on his promise for victory. It sounds as though the Lord caused a torrential downpour to overwhelm Israel’s enemy. The stars of the heavens, associated with the Lord’s assembly elsewhere in the Old Testament, were viewed as sources of rain in the ancient, rain that would pour down on the enemy (Chisholm, Judges and Ruth, 239). If this happened, the mud this possibly created no doubt would have rendered the chariots useless and the army perched atop them vulnerable to attack. After recollecting this vulnerability, the singer remembers the sound of the Israeli horses that overwhelmed this enemy.

While those who showed up enjoyed a victory, those who decided to sit this one out were issued a curse—“’Curse Meroz,’ said the angel of the Lord, ‘Utterly curse its inhabitants; because they did not come to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the warriors” (5:23). While only one town that didn’t contribute to the campaign is mentioned, it is probably serving as the representative of all who did not join Deborah and Barak in this episode. While the Lord certainly didn’t need/require their help to bring victory to his people, when God comes calling, the only appropriate answer is “yes.”

This causes me to wonder, is my “yes,” is your “yes,” is the church’s “yes” on the table? Let’s be perfectly clear, just as it was in the days of the judges, while God certainly doesn’t need us to do his bidding, he invites us to be a part of the adventure and we would do well to join him when he comes calling.

e. CELEBRATION OF THE DEATH OF SISERA-5:24-27

Following the celebration of the victory in battle is the celebration of the death of the enemy commanding officer. In case you forgot or didn’t hear last week’s message, the song reminds the reader of how it all went down in verses 24-27—“Most blessed of women is Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite; Most blessed is she of women in the tent. He asked for water and she gave him milk; In a magnificent bowl she brought him curds. She reached out her hand for the tent peg, And her right hand for the workmen’s hammer. Then she struck Sisera, she smashed his head; And she shattered and pierced his temple. Between her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay; Between her feet he bowed, he fell; Where he bowed, there he fell dead…”. As predicted by Deborah, Jael, the wife of a descendant of Moses, finished the job Barak started and killed Sisera, the commander of the Canaanite army who fled the battle scene once he started losing to Israel. This proves that God can use anyone to do his will and often moves/works in peculiar ways. This is worth celebrating.

Just as is done here, we ought to celebrate when God moves, regardless of exactly how it happens or whom he chooses to use. Victories that God brings for his people do not always come as expected, but when they do, they ought to be celebrated nonetheless. Do we celebrate the victories that God brings, even if we aren’t directly involved or even if it comes in a most unexpected way? Something to consider as this song continues into its final stanza.

f. CELEBRATION OF GOD’S VICTORIES OVER HIS ENEMIES-5:28-31

The last verse of the song is a celebration of God’s victories over his enemies. This comes in the form of a taunt and then a concluding remark. Listen to the faux consideration that Israel exhibits in verses 28-30 after their victory—“Out of the window she looked and lamented, The mother of Sisera through the lattice, ‘Why does his chariot delay in coming? Why do the hoofbeats of his chariots tarry?’ Her wise princesses would answer her, indeed she repeats her words to herself, ‘Are they not finding, are they not dividing the spoil? A maiden, two maidens for every warrior; To Sisera a spoil of dyed work, A spoil of dyed work embroidered, Dyed work of double embroidery on the neck of the spoiler?’…”. Here we are taken in our minds to Sisera’s palace where a worried mother eagerly awaits the return of her son from war. While at first glance we may be sympathetic to her anxiety, as we read, we realize that she is more concerned about the potential plunder he would be bringing than she is about his safety. Little does this mother know that another woman was tucking her son in bed and giving him a glass of milk to drink (playing the part of mom). This Jael did only to end Sisera’s life in a most brutal way. It is a taunt that wreaks of irony and disdain for Canaan. 

God’s unusual victory over Sisera and his army brough on by Deborah, Barak, and Jael sends a powerful message to anyone who would prove to be an enemy of God and his people. This message is communicated in verse 31—“Thus let all Your enemies perish, O Lord; but let those who love Him be like the rising of the sun in its might…”. This is similar to a promise given in the days of Abraham—“I will bless those who bless you and I will curse those who curse you” (Gen. 12:3). Here, the sentiment is repeated, reminding the world not to test God by oppressing his people.

So What?

Quite a lyric, isn’t it? Equal parts celebratory and convicting depending on who is tuning in to hear it. I wonder how these stanzas hit you today. If you are a believer, does this song confirm the joy you have of victory in God as you obediently follow him and his calling upon your life or is it a bit convicting as perhaps you have benched yourself from being involved or on mission for him due to this or that? Does it give you confidence knowing that God is ultimately in control and working to bring about His will or does is create anxiety because you realize you’ve been relying on yourself to get you through? For those of us who are in the family of God and members of his church, my prayer is that this song might engender confidence, knowing that God is our leader. It is also my prayer that this song might inspire us to think outside of ourselves and seek victories not just for our own sake, but for the sake of those around us. May it also encourage us to partner with God and not sit on the sidelines when there is much work to be done. Finally, I hope that this tune generates a culture of celebrating God’s victories, regardless of how he chooses to accomplish them and through whom.

Maybe you are without a relationship with the Lord today? You are not yet a part of his family and, as such, an enemy of his cause. Perhaps this song does not engender joy or confidence at all. Instead, it creates an awareness of future defeat. You might say to yourself, I’d love to be a part of God’s family and contribute to his plan, but he would not want me given who I am or what I’ve done. My friend, if he can use a leaderless Israel and hesitant deliverer to take care of a formidable enemy in judges, certainly he can more than make up for your weaknesses, failures, and limitations. He loves you and wants you to join him and his mission all the way to ultimately victory.