My younger son likes to ask lots of “why” questions. He likes to ask on a variety of topics, but at least one of them (which I actually appreciate for a change) is why we do things at church. Why do we go to church on Sunday, and not Tuesday? Why do we sing? Why can’t I go to Sunday School?
These “why” questions are really important. We do these things for a reason. Why do we sing at church? It’s not because of an enjoyment of choral music, but because we are gathering together to sing praises to God. Why? Because of who God is, and what God has done.
Singing praises to God was important throughout history, and in Judges 5 we see another song which sings praises to God for who he is and what he had done for God’s People in delivering them from their oppressors. This song speaks of God’s action versus Israel’s plight, the different approaches of God’s People to the call to arms, and praise for God’s servant versus the mother of wickedness.
Firstly, Deborah and Barak’s song speaks of God’s action compared to Israel’s plight. They offer praise to God for raising up God’s People and leadership for the deliverance (vv.1-3). Their deeds responded to God’s calling.
Next, they describe God as going forth from Seir and marching out from Edom. When this happened “ the earth trembled and the heavens dropped, yes, the clouds dropped water. The mountains quaked before the LORD, even Sinai before the Lord, the God of Israel” (vv.4-5). The God who went out to conquer Sisera was the God who saved them from Egypt.
Compared to this lively action, the Israelites cowered. They did not use the highways, only byways, due to thieves, and they were defenceless (vv.6-8). It was only when they saw how desperate they were, they understood how great God is. And now victorious, the humble and even the greatest should praise the greater God (vv.9-11).
Secondly, this song contrasts the different approaches of God’s People to the call to arms. While most were cowed by their oppressors, a noble few answered God’s call and marched out, led by Deborah and Barak (vv.11-13). Amongst them were Ephraim, Benjamin, West Manasseh, Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali (vv.14-15,18) who risked their lives for the sake of Israel and serving God.
In contrast, others played it safe. Reuben discussed joining the uprising thoroughly, but the sheep needed watching (v.16). East Manasseh across the Jordan found the river “too hard” to cross, while Dan and Asher had maritime trade they had to maintain (v.17). The local inhabitants of Meroz, close to the battle, are cursed for their failure to join God’s side (v.23).
The faithful tribes fought alongside God, and were joined by the elements of nature (vv.19-20). That meant God was fighting, as he sent a torrent to flood the valley and wreck Sisera’s chariots (vv.21-2).
Thirdly, Deborah praises God’s servant Jael, and mocks Sisera’s mother. Two women have their fruits contrasted.
Where Meroz was cursed, Jael is blessed for coming to Israel’s aid (v.24). The song graphically retells Jael’s acts, as she lulled Sisera into security then smashed a tent peg into his head, delivering God’s judgement on him (vv.25-7). While confronting us, this is Israel’s delight in God’s deliverance; with no sugar coating.
Contrast this with Sisera’s mother, sarcastically described as pining at the window for her son to return from war (v.28). She and her attending princesses reassure themselves falsely that it takes time to divide up the spoils of war and brutalise the women (vv.29-30). The wicked fruits of this woman’s womb will lead to her sorrow, while the good fruits of Jael lead to blessing. Good riddance to bad rubbish.
The song closes with a hope that the demise of Sisera would fall on all God’s enemies, so only God’s Kingdom remains. At the same time, it called Israel to faithfulness in their covenant love and friendship with God, and to find their strength in him (v.31). If they would do so, the rest would not just be 40 years, but forever.
This too should be our prayer. That we will be faithful to God, loving him and keeping his commandments until God crushes all God’s enemies under his feet, just as Jael’s tent peg crushed through Sisera’s skull. Secondly, that we will hear and answer God’s call on our lives, to wage war against sin and witness to the world of God’s greatness and his soon-coming judgement of the nations.
It also reminds us that God’s deliverance is something to savour. While a tent peg is brutal, it delivered many of God’s People from great brutalities. In the same way, the brutality of Christ’s death on the Cross saves many people from the brutality of eternal judgement. This is not something we should shrink from, but something we should embrace and dwell upon.
God’s goodness, greatness, and deliverance of his people is always something to praise.
