Judges 5:1-5 – Leadership
As Judges 5:7 indicates, Deborah, herself composed this song in celebration of Israel’s victory over Sisera and Jabin. Verse one tells us she and Barak sang it on the day Jabin was destroyed. The song is addressed to leaders. Although there was no king in Israel in the days of the judges, the “kings” and “princes” of verse three may be a poetic reference to the leaders of Israel. It might also be a warning to the kings of the nations surrounding Israel. If the LORD protected His people from such a powerful man as Jabin, who else could dare to oppress them.
Verses four and five point out that any military victory for Israel has come only by the might of the LORD, making reference to Mount Sinai, where the Israelites’ journey to the Promised Land began, and Mount Seir (in the land of Edom). As Numbers 20 tells us, it was when Israel was turned back from the land of Edom that the wars for control of the land of Canaan began. The victory over Jabin is a continuation of that God-led effort.
Verse two praises the leaders of Israel for stepping up when called to duty, and the people for following them willingly. While victory comes from God alone, He is pleased to use means to bring it about. In this case, it is the means of strong leadership. Similarly, God, today, calls elders and pastors to positions of leadership in His Church. He is pleased to use such leaders to advance His Kingdom as the people, armed, not with material weapons, but with the Word of God, follow them in proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost and fallen world.
Questions
- Whom did God use to give Israel victory over Jabin?
- Whom does God use to lead His Church today?
Prayer Points
- Pray for the leaders of your church.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.