Year 7, Day 266: Judges 5

Theological Commentary: Click Here

As we continue the story of Deborah in Judges 5, we see a familiar continuation of the themes from the last chapter.  Deborah sings a song about the victory.  Do you hear who the main characters are in the praise?  Deborah and Jael get the praise throughout the whole hymn.  Of course, it is most proper to say that Deborah and Jael get the praise because they are the hands of God’s will.

Naturally, the soldiers who came out behind Deborah and behind Barak also get praise.  Ephraim, Benjamin, Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali came.  These are the people who responded to the call.  These are the faithful who allowed themselves to be led.  These were the followers who were willing to risk life and death for the completion of God’s calling.

However, there were also timid tribes.  There were those who did not answer the call.  There were those who hesitated when others acted.  Reuben struggled to respond.  Gilead stayed behind.  Dan stayed with their ships.  Asher stayed in the comforts of home.  There are those who rally for God.  There are also those who seek their own will when things get tough.

The real question is where our loyalties lie?  When push comes to shove, are we God’s leader?  If not God’s leader, are we at least prepared to follow and accomplish God’s will under the guidance of others?  Or are we likely to look for our own interests and stay where it is comfortable when God’s call arrives on our doorstep?

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