5th.: Deborah and Barak’s song
Joy filled Deborah and Barak. God defeated an enemy that had oppressed the Israelites for twenty years (Judg. 4:3b).
Expressed this joy through song. This song was recorded in Judges chapter 5.
This song rehearses the events surrounding this delivery:
1) God’s mighty power (Judg. 5:4-5).
2) Describes the condition of the people of Israel, from the previous judge, Shamgar, until the archers [of Jabin?] that were by the wells (places of drawing water) (Judg. 5:6-11a).
3) When the oppressed people of Israel remembered the righteous acts of the Lord, God called Deborah (“Awake, Awake, Deborah”) (Judg. 5:12a), and Barak.
4) Thanks are given to the people of Israel who helped fight, and curses toward those who did not fight. (Judg. 5:13-23
5) Special thanks is given to Jael, who killed Sisera (Judg. 5:24-27)
6) A rebuking remembrance is made for the coming sorrow of the enemies’ loved ones (Judg. 5:28-30).
7) The Lord’s enemies shall be defeated, and those that love the Lord shall shine like the sun. (Judg 5:31)
If we have that gift, it is good to write songs of thanks to the Lord, when He does very special things in our lives.
“I will sing to the Lord God of Israel.” (Judg. 5:3b)