Judges Chapter 5

 

Well we saw in our last study – The 3rd Judge in Israel /God did something NEW – A woman – Deborah

A)She was teamed up with a General named Barak – Led Israel into war W/ Jabin – King of Canaan & HIS 900 Chariots

 

B) After the Victory: Deborah & Barak – sing this song

1)   Song is a good Memorial – easy to remember – Reminder of what God has done  { song writers here -

 

C) Ps 33:1-4

Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous!

For praise from the upright is beautiful.

2 Praise the LORD with the harp;

Make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings.

3 Sing to Him a new song;

Play skillfully with a shout of joy.

4 For the word of the LORD is right,

And all His work is done in truth.

 

Ps 96:1-3

Oh, sing to the LORD a new song!

Sing to the LORD, all the earth.

2 Sing to the LORD, bless His name;

Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.

3 Declare His glory among the nations,

His wonders among all peoples.

 

D) So Deborah writes a new song / Song Exalting God for his working in the lives of his people – her & Barak Sing { Sony & Cher

Judges 5:1-2

Then Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam sang on that day, saying:

2 "When leaders lead in Israel,

When the people willingly offer themselves, Bless the LORD!

The First thing that Deborah praises the Lord over is when Leaders being willing to lead in Israel

A)It took her making a Stand – but once she did – the leaders followed

 

B) There is a shortage today of Leaders – those who are willing to challenge the status quo and Lead – go against the grain { comfortable

1) Those who are willing to make a stand for righteousness – Not just say it but live it – { Grieved by Bill Bennett – gambling Revelation} anyone can talk

 

C) Another thing when People lead – set the pace !!!

 

Notice the result –When leaders lead – people willingly offer themselves up

A)That is the healthiest kind of service – People willingly offer themselves

 

B) Paul in Phi. 2:17 talked about being poured out as a drink offering for the people – { Lord fill me & pour me out

1)   That is what ministry is about

 

C) That is what Jesus modeled - Eph 5:1-2

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

 

D) The mark of a real leader is one who is willing to offer himself up to the Lord to be poured out – by the Lord – wherever the Lord sees fit

1)   Not choosing to SERVE where he/she feels comfortable – but seeking to be available –

 

3 "Hear, O kings! Give ear, O princes!

I, even I, will sing to the LORD;

I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel.

 

E)Deborah was this industrious woman - / woman of vision / leader / very gifted – but apparently she didn’t have a good voice – Even I will sing

A)Now I can relate to that: Ever heard that song – NOT SUNG LIKE THAT

 

B) But this is a good reminder to us that worship is not about how well I sing but it is about how worthy God is TO BE PRAISED!!!

 

C) Good to remember: Worship is not something we do – something we are!!!!!    MAX LUCADO

 

Christianity in its purest form, is nothing more than seeing Jesus. Christian service, in its purest form is nothing more than imitating him who we see. To see His majesty & to imitate him, that is the sum of Christianity.

 

Something happens to the person who has witnessed His majesty . One glimpse of the king & you are consumed w/ a desire to see more of Him & to say more about Him.         SO TRUE!!!!!!

 

D) So Deborah says – Even I will sing

 

V4 LORD, when You went out from Seir, When You marched from the field of Edom, The earth trembled and the heavens poured,

The clouds also poured water;  5 The mountains gushed before the LORD,

This Sinai, before the LORD God of Israel.

 

Now here she gives some insight into how the Lord gave the Victory to Israel in the Battle.

A)Noted Jabin had 900 iron Chariots – which was the military machine of the day – Huge advantage { faster more mobile / less tired

 

B) Huge advantage unless it was raining & muddy – Chariots were of no use – stuck in the mud – God sent a STORM

 

C) Now I love the way that Deb. Describes this – the storm was no coincidence : The Lord marched from the Field of Edom –

1)   The Lord sent the storm it was HIS DOING

D) It is such a great thing when God’s people see God’s hand in things

1)   Blessings that come into our lives – His handy work

2)   Revelation of sin: His way of trying to keep us from going farther or deeper – Whom the Lord loves He chastens

 

E) So Deborah praises the Lord for sending a storm to aid them in the battle

 

6 "In the days of Shamgar, son of Anath, In the days of Jael,

The highways were deserted, And the travelers walked along the byways.

A)Here she is making reference to the how poor the quality of life was in Israel – RDS WERE DANGEROUS -  couldn’t travel on Highways

 

B) 7 Village life ceased, it ceased in Israel, There was NO COMMUNITY

No kids playing –

 

C) Life was a mess Until I, Deborah, arose, Arose a mother in Israel.

 

Now notice how Deborah refers to herself as a mother in Israel

Some translations – the Mother in Israel – Not accurate { a mother

A)I find this to be very interesting – that of all the things that she could have referred to herself as – she uses this term a mother

 

B) Women with Children – Highest CALLING 

 

C) Titus 2:3-5 3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things --  4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

 

3Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that is appropriate for someone serving the Lord. They must not go around speaking evil of others and must not be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good. 4These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, 5to live wisely and be pure, to take care of their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.

D) This is a message that isn’t too popular today: But Paul is saying here that the mark of a young woman’s Christianity is going to be seen thru her role in the Home !!!!

 

E) Loving her husband / loving and training her kids – taking care of the house

 

 Does that mean that a woman cannot have outside ministry or a Job

A) No – But this has to be the #1 Priority – and if she cannot keep this intact – then she should do anything else

 

B) Ladies some of you are not going to like me for this: But if your kids are neglected – pawned off on others – so you can minister or what ever wrong !

1)   If your husband starts feeling IN competition W/ your ministry or your Job that is not right

 

C) Understand : Marriage is an ordered equality – God has set up

1)   He knows what is best – You find your highest degree of fulfillment in His designed place for you.

 

D) You older women – kids are gone – enjoying that freedom – Realize your place to teach the younger gals – God’s design

 

E)So Deborah could have described herself as a Judge a counselor / a leader in Israel but she chose the term MOTHER

 

V8 They chose new gods; Then there was war in the gates;

Not a shield or spear was seen among forty thousand in Israel.

A)Here she reveals the cause of their oppression – Chose new gods

 

B) Result : All their steel taken left defenseless –

1)   Lesson here: Anytime you chose another master – { that master will end up taking – { What he takes won’t compare w/ pleasure he brings

 

C) Greatest misconception: People turn from the Lord – to something else thinking – this is going to make me happy – Sin is pleasurable…..season

1)   But it always takes away – Leaves you defenseless and in bondage

 

9 My heart is with the rulers of Israel Who offered themselves willingly with the people. Bless the LORD!

10 "Speak, you who ride on white donkeys, Who sit in judges' attire, leaders

And who walk along the road. regular people

 

The Leaders offered themselves even though they didn’t have weapons even though outnumbered they led by example

A)Those who road on donkeys– the rich & those who walked – the poor all coming together for the work – THE BODY – no Hierarchy

 

From here she moves to describe some specifics about the battle v.11-15a

A)So here she mentions the tribes of Ephriam / Benjamin / Machir or the ½ tribe of Mannaseh & Zebulen – Honored for fighting

 

B) God notices those who get involved !!!!

 

C) But He also notices those who DON’T !!!!!

 

V 15a Among the divisions of Reuben There were great resolves of heart.

16 Why did you sit among the sheepfolds, To hear the pipings for the flocks?

The divisions of Reuben have great searchings of heart.

 

 

Here we see a Rebuke of those who didn’t come down

A)Deborah says Reuben had great resolve in his heart / great searchings

 

B) Here is the idea: They had great intentions – they were the type who would say: we really should get involved help out in the battle

1) Some day I am going to get in the middle of it – maybe Tomorrow

 

C) They had great resolve and great searchings – Wonderful committee meetings – but they never entered the Battle

 

D) What was required for that Hour was that they would enter the battle that was the need at Hand

1)   Not more people on the sidelines / Great Resolve – no Action !!

 

IS that You : Are you one who is always saying – I really should get involved more: Hear of a need – Should do that

A)This is a day when it is ALL HANDS ON DECK - Church described like a Basketball game: 40,000 in stands watching 10 guys on the floor

 

B) Life IS A VAPOR – Could be my last night – go out with a bang!!

Spend my life in the Purposes of God

1)   Needs all over the place – what do you want me to do Lord !!!

 

C) Give ourselves for the Lord –

 

V.17,18 – Note the Contrast

 

V.19-23 She retraces the events of the War

 

Meroz was a great city in that day – A city that was located only 15 miles away from the battle.

A)They never entered the Battle – and so a curse was upon them because they didn’t join in the CALL  - They didn’t join in to help out in what the Lord was doing .

 

B) God was expecting great things for them – He had given them all that they needed to be greatly used by Him – But they never showed up

1) And God took note of it !!!!!

 

 

V. 24-30 Retrace the events of the story of Jael & Sisera – which we looked at closely last time – lets read –

Judges 5:31 "Thus let all Your enemies perish, O LORD! But let those who love Him be like the sun  When it comes out in full strength."

So the land had rest for forty years.

A)I love this description: Let those who love the Lord be like the sun when it comes out in full strength

 

B) Let those who love the Lord – Shine brightly for Him

1)   Radiate the Love / the Power / the strength / the compassion of the Lord

 

C) LORD BURN BRIGHTLY IN OUR HEARTS & THRU OUR LIVES