Calendar

THE SONG OF DEBORAH (I)
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17
Judges 5:1-11

2 Chronicles 15

 

“The LORD is with you,

while ye be with him…”

THE SONG OF DEBORAH (I)
 
The song of Deborah gives an expanded account of the narrative of Judges chapter 4. In this expanded account, God’s work through divine intervention and through providential intervention are highlighted. The song, thus, has various lessons on how God works as seen from what God has done. First, God raises men!
 
“…when the people willingly offered themselves” (Judg 5:2). This reflects the theme that runs through the book of Judges. God used men, men who were available. It was God who worked and accomplished all the deliverances, it was God who saved, who brought peace, who freed the children of Israel from bondage; but in accomplishing it, God used men. The times were of spiritual declension, times when every man did that which was right in his own eyes. Although that was the general characteristic of that time, there were individuals, men who despite their personal weaknesses, and despite the widespread declension and idolatry, “willingly offered themselves,” ill-equipped and out-numbered in the face of great dangers, to face a powerful oppressor. Yet they offered themselves to the LORD!
 
When many offer themselves to worldliness, idolatry, and sinful pursuits, there are those who offer themselves to God. When many rise to prominence and take up leadership for personal gain and glory, there are those who offer themselves for service for God’s glory and to further God’s cause. It is such men that God would use. Deborah’s song is not about the exploits of Barak, or about her influence in the recently concluded battle. Rather, it is for “praise to the LORD God of Israel” (Judg 5:3). May God grant us men like the “governors of Israel, that offered themselves willingly among the people” (Judg 5:9).
 
THOUGHT: “Who is on the Lord’s side? Who will serve the King? Who will leave the world’s side? Who will face the foe?”
PRAYER: “Jesus Thou hast bought us, with Thy blessing filling, make Thou us willing. Saviour we are Thine.”

Search