Judg 5:2 | KingComments | STEP | The song that Barak and Deborah sing after victory is a special and impressive song. It is also a long song compared to the brief description of the battle. It is the only song in this book, there is no other singing. The content of the song suits the situation of those days. It expresses the experienced emotions and preserves the memory of God’s actions. But it is not just about looking at the past, what God has done and how the different persons and tribes have behaved. It is also a song in which faith sees the future final victory. It draws this certainty from what God has just done for His people. In the life of the believer, every victory he achieves is an advance on his final victory. In faith he can count on the promise: “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet” ( ). The final victory is sure. Every victory of faith refers to that moment and encourages the believer in his confidence in God. In the first song we encounter in the Bible, the song of Moses ( ), we see something similar. In it we read how Moses’ faith looks over the whole wilderness journey, which then still lay before them, to the promised land ( ). He sings about it and the whole people agree. The latter is not so in Deborah’s song. We hear only two voices. It is beautiful to see how this song begins and ends with the LORD ( ; ). A subdivision of this song can help to better understand its content: 1. The LORD is praised for His intervention ( ). 2. What it looked like in Israel during the occupation ( ) 3. Call to testify of the victory of the LORD ( ). 4. The role of the single tribes ( ). 5. A description of the battle ( ). 6. Jael is praised for her deed ( ). 7. The mother of Sisera waits in vain ( ). 8. Perish and rise ( ). ( ) As said, this song is sung by only two people, a woman of faith and a man of faith, although the whole people share in victory. Yet it is a song to the heart of God. In times of decay, it is not about bringing together a mass of people to sing songs of praise. Today we may well ask ourselves whether the organization of so-called ‘praise meetings’, where everyone is invited, stems from the working of God’s Spirit. Singing can also become a goal in itself. There is nothing against singing together if there is reason to do so. However, if such meetings are held to bring about unity among Christians, then singing is used for a cause not supported by the Bible. How does a song of praise come to originate? It is born in a heart that has gained an experience with God. God has revealed Himself in such a life in a special way. The result is a song of praise. The person who knows that his sins are forgiven, can sing about this. This is possible together with all those who also have the certainty of the forgiveness of their sins. There is a common reason to sing together. How could you sing together with unbelievers to the glory of God? After all, they have not had experiences with God, have they? The reason for the song of Deborah and Barak is what God has done with Jabin. The previous chapter reads: “So God subdued on that day Jabin” ( ). In of our chapter it says: “Then Deborah and Barak … sang on that day.” On the same day that God subdued Jabin, there is singing. There is no waiting for an official occasion. God’s actions in favor of His people apparently arouse a spontaneous reaction in the form of a song with Deborah and Barak. Thus, every form of deliverance is also for us a direct reason to sing a song of praise. We are even told that through the Lord Jesus we “offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name” ( ). Do we do that? ( ) The translation of the first part of this verse does not seem to be simple. In an explanation of this verse someone who knows Hebrew writes: ‘The opening sentence is one of the darkest sentences of the song. It can also be translated: “When the hair-locks grew long in Israel.” This would be a reference to a practice of not having one’s hair cut to fulfill a vow ( ). This would mean a commitment to the LORD to participate in a holy war. Deuteronomy 32:42 may mean a reference to long-haired soldiers, although to translate ‘leaders’ is also possible ( )’. Long hair represents devotion and submission. Of the woman it is said that long hair is “a glory to her. For her hair is given to her for a covering” ( ). In that section it is about her relationship with the man and how God sees it. The woman can show in her appearance that she has an inner mind of devotion and submission to the man. The woman can show in having long hair that she agrees with what God asks of her in her relationship with the man. She gives up her own will and takes a position of submission. This general thought about long hair also applies to texts in the Old Testament where long hair is spoken of. If we look at the other translation, which talks about leaders, it seems to highlight a completely different aspect. Yet this is not the case. When leaders return to function again in the way they are expected to function and take on their responsibilities again, they can only function as true leaders if they commit themselves to God and are aware of their submission to Him. The result of this is that the people offer themselves voluntarily. No order is issued, but an example is set. Good example stimulates to follow the good example. If the relationships in the people of God will work like this again, this is a reason to praise the LORD. Is it not beneficial for a community of faith to be led in a biblical way by leaders appointed not by men, but by God? It is about such persons that Paul says: “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers” ( ). Is it not the result of their actions that others voluntarily offer to do something for the Lord? Are we aware of this and what is our reaction? ( ) The faithfulness of the leaders and the willingness of the people awake in Deborah a song to the honor of the LORD. At the same time, this song is a testimony to other dignitaries. Kings and other rulers are called upon to listen to what she is going to sing. They can learn a lot from that. Rulers who want to take into account the will of God, are encouraged by Deborah in her song. However, those who do not take God’s will into account will be given clear warnings in this same song. If we consider that we, that is to say the believers of the church, are also called kings ( ; ), then her song also has something to say to us. Let us open our ears and take in the content of this song. ( ) In these verses all attention goes to the LORD Himself and what He has done in the past. He is described here as a visible appearance. So God is also described in Psalm 68, where He is also sung as the Deliverer of His people ( ). Deborah compares God’s actions in favor of His people in the previous chapter with His actions at the beginning of Israel’s history. She sees Him going out with a majesty that paralyses the opponents. Great and impressive is the majesty of this Hero. Also Habakkuk gives a vivid description of God’s actions for His people in the past ( ). Much of God’s action in the present is explained when we look at His action in earlier times. Seïr is a name for the mountains where the descendants of Esau, the Edomites, live. They treated the Israelites with hostility when the Israelites asked to pass through their land ( ; ). The Israelites were not allowed to wage war with Edom and had to go around their land. In the song of Deborah we hear how God Himself goes ahead His people in majesty. Mountains in the Bible are often a picture of great earthly powers, but they falter against the greatness of God. They do not hold out for Him. Sinai, the mountain where God has given the law to His people, undergoes the same impression ( ). The fact that God has chosen Israel to be His people does not alter the fact that He remains an impressive appearance for them too. Although as believers who belong to the church we do not stand in a covenant relationship with God and may call Him our Father, it is also written for us: “For our God is a consuming fire” ( ). This need not frighten us, but it will increase our respect and awe for Him. At the same time it is an encouragement to know that this God is our God. He is going out before us in the battle against the enemy. Which enemy will be able to hold out?

‏ Judges 5:2

Introduction

The song that Barak and Deborah sing after victory is a special and impressive song. It is also a long song compared to the brief description of the battle. It is the only song in this book, there is no other singing. The content of the song suits the situation of those days. It expresses the experienced emotions and preserves the memory of God’s actions.

But it is not just about looking at the past, what God has done and how the different persons and tribes have behaved. It is also a song in which faith sees the future final victory. It draws this certainty from what God has just done for His people. In the life of the believer, every victory he achieves is an advance on his final victory. In faith he can count on the promise: “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet” (Rom 16:20a). The final victory is sure. Every victory of faith refers to that moment and encourages the believer in his confidence in God.

In the first song we encounter in the Bible, the song of Moses (Exo 15:1), we see something similar. In it we read how Moses’ faith looks over the whole wilderness journey, which then still lay before them, to the promised land (Exo 15:13 ; 17). He sings about it and the whole people agree. The latter is not so in Deborah’s song. We hear only two voices. It is beautiful to see how this song begins and ends with the LORD (Jdg 5:1-5; Jdg 5:31).

A subdivision of this song can help to better understand its content:

1. The LORD is praised for His intervention (Jdg 5:1-5).

2. What it looked like in Israel during the occupation (Jdg 5:6-8)

3. Call to testify of the victory of the LORD (Jdg 5:9-11).

4. The role of the single tribes (Jdg 5:12-18).

5. A description of the battle (Jdg 5:19-23).

6. Jael is praised for her deed (Jdg 5:24-27).

7. The mother of Sisera waits in vain (Jdg 5:28-30).

8. Perish and rise (Jdg 5:31).

1. The LORD Is Praised

(Jdg 5:1) As said, this song is sung by only two people, a woman of faith and a man of faith, although the whole people share in victory. Yet it is a song to the heart of God. In times of decay, it is not about bringing together a mass of people to sing songs of praise. Today we may well ask ourselves whether the organization of so-called ‘praise meetings’, where everyone is invited, stems from the working of God’s Spirit. Singing can also become a goal in itself. There is nothing against singing together if there is reason to do so. However, if such meetings are held to bring about unity among Christians, then singing is used for a cause not supported by the Bible.

How does a song of praise come to originate? It is born in a heart that has gained an experience with God. God has revealed Himself in such a life in a special way. The result is a song of praise. The person who knows that his sins are forgiven, can sing about this. This is possible together with all those who also have the certainty of the forgiveness of their sins. There is a common reason to sing together. How could you sing together with unbelievers to the glory of God? After all, they have not had experiences with God, have they?

The reason for the song of Deborah and Barak is what God has done with Jabin. The previous chapter reads: “So God subdued on that day Jabin” (Jdg 4:23). In Jdg 5:1 of our chapter it says: “Then Deborah and Barak … sang on that day.” On the same day that God subdued Jabin, there is singing. There is no waiting for an official occasion. God’s actions in favor of His people apparently arouse a spontaneous reaction in the form of a song with Deborah and Barak. Thus, every form of deliverance is also for us a direct reason to sing a song of praise. We are even told that through the Lord Jesus we “offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name” (Heb 13:15). Do we do that?

(Jdg 5:2) The translation of the first part of this verse does not seem to be simple. In an explanation of this verse someone who knows Hebrew writes: ‘The opening sentence is one of the darkest sentences of the song. It can also be translated: “When the hair-locks grew long in Israel.” This would be a reference to a practice of not having one’s hair cut to fulfill a vow (Num 6:5 ; 18). This would mean a commitment to the LORD to participate in a holy war. Deuteronomy 32:42 may mean a reference to long-haired soldiers, although to translate ‘leaders’ is also possible (Deu 32:42)’.

Long hair represents devotion and submission. Of the woman it is said that long hair is “a glory to her. For her hair is given to her for a covering” (1Cor 11:15). In that section it is about her relationship with the man and how God sees it. The woman can show in her appearance that she has an inner mind of devotion and submission to the man. The woman can show in having long hair that she agrees with what God asks of her in her relationship with the man. She gives up her own will and takes a position of submission. This general thought about long hair also applies to texts in the Old Testament where long hair is spoken of.

If we look at the other translation, which talks about leaders, it seems to highlight a completely different aspect. Yet this is not the case. When leaders return to function again in the way they are expected to function and take on their responsibilities again, they can only function as true leaders if they commit themselves to God and are aware of their submission to Him. The result of this is that the people offer themselves voluntarily. No order is issued, but an example is set. Good example stimulates to follow the good example. If the relationships in the people of God will work like this again, this is a reason to praise the LORD.

Is it not beneficial for a community of faith to be led in a biblical way by leaders appointed not by men, but by God? It is about such persons that Paul says: “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers” (Acts 20:28). Is it not the result of their actions that others voluntarily offer to do something for the Lord? Are we aware of this and what is our reaction?

(Jdg 5:3) The faithfulness of the leaders and the willingness of the people awake in Deborah a song to the honor of the LORD. At the same time, this song is a testimony to other dignitaries. Kings and other rulers are called upon to listen to what she is going to sing. They can learn a lot from that. Rulers who want to take into account the will of God, are encouraged by Deborah in her song. However, those who do not take God’s will into account will be given clear warnings in this same song.

If we consider that we, that is to say the believers of the church, are also called kings (1Pet 2:9; Rev 5:10a), then her song also has something to say to us. Let us open our ears and take in the content of this song.

(Jdg 5:4-5) In these verses all attention goes to the LORD Himself and what He has done in the past. He is described here as a visible appearance. So God is also described in Psalm 68, where He is also sung as the Deliverer of His people (Psa 68:7-8). Deborah compares God’s actions in favor of His people in the previous chapter with His actions at the beginning of Israel’s history.

She sees Him going out with a majesty that paralyses the opponents. Great and impressive is the majesty of this Hero. Also Habakkuk gives a vivid description of God’s actions for His people in the past (Hab 3:3-15). Much of God’s action in the present is explained when we look at His action in earlier times.

Seïr is a name for the mountains where the descendants of Esau, the Edomites, live. They treated the Israelites with hostility when the Israelites asked to pass through their land (Num 20:14-21; Deu 2:1-8). The Israelites were not allowed to wage war with Edom and had to go around their land.

In the song of Deborah we hear how God Himself goes ahead His people in majesty. Mountains in the Bible are often a picture of great earthly powers, but they falter against the greatness of God. They do not hold out for Him. Sinai, the mountain where God has given the law to His people, undergoes the same impression (Heb 12:18-21). The fact that God has chosen Israel to be His people does not alter the fact that He remains an impressive appearance for them too.

Although as believers who belong to the church we do not stand in a covenant relationship with God and may call Him our Father, it is also written for us: “For our God is a consuming fire” (Heb 12:29). This need not frighten us, but it will increase our respect and awe for Him. At the same time it is an encouragement to know that this God is our God. He is going out before us in the battle against the enemy. Which enemy will be able to hold out?