Judges 5 -- "A Poetic Celebration Of What God Had Done"

This chapter is "a poetic celebration of what God had done to help his people.  Jewish poetry differs from English poetry," my commentary said, "and contains frequent outbursts of praise."

"The leaders led Israel.  The people volunteered to go to battle."  It's almost as if normality had returned!  They praised the Lord that this had occurred!

Then we read that they urged future leaders to take note of all that follows, for things had changed.  It wasn't the status quo.

God was the God of Israel, yet we read that He came from Edom.  Had He left the land because of Israel's sin?

It had become too unsafe to travel in Israel, especially on the main roads.  The enemies of Israel fought at the city gates of Israelite cities!  And Israel had no weapons!

The faithful remnant ("those who were left ... the Lord's people") were the ones who entered the battle.  The Bible doesn't pull punches, telling us who didn't go to battle as well -- Reuben, East Manasseh , Dan, and Asher.  "When Joshua was the commander of Israel's armies, all the tribes participated, but when Barak summoned the forces, only half of them went to war... The people of God today are not unlike the people of Israel when it comes to God's call for service:  Some immediately volunteer and follow the Lord; some risk their lives; some give the call serious consideration, but say no; and others keep to themselves as though the call had never been given," my commentary says.

Father, I pray that I will be one who immediately volunteers, who answers Your call.  I trust You, Father.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford