THE TESTIMONY OF SONG. Judges 5 Victories were often made real to the people through songs that would impress the action on the minds and hearts of those who were not in the battle but could join in the singing. The purpose of this song was to praise the deeds accomplished during that battle. It would also exhort the Israelites to act consistently with their heroic past when God gave them this land of promise. Deborah's part is featured in the song, followed by the gathering of the warriors. The actual battle was then sung about, and the triumph of Jael over Sisera. A scene in the song includes the anxiety of Sisera’s mother and ends with a testimony to the love and power of the Lord.
The power of poetry is clear in this song as it reflects on God’s ways and deeds for His people during difficult times. Songs help identify and remember significant events so they can be retold across families and generations. Unless the historical stories of life experiences and lessons learned are passed down somehow, each new generation will have to relearn and reapply lessons that should have been taught and practiced through the sharing of truth.
Songs and victories often go hand in hand. Many national anthems celebrate victories of various kinds, which are retold and set to music to promote patriotism. Singing a song can unite people, helping them think the same thoughts at the same time about shared goals. When sung only with voices and no music, the words are often hard to understand.
When words are set to music, the harsh sounds of simply saying the words become clear messages with meaning. When music is arranged so that tones change, singing a song becomes very enjoyable. Often, the more people singing at one time, the stronger the impact on both the singers and the listeners. Songs of praise and worship of God go hand in hand.
Similarly, we commemorate important events in song, like "At the Cross, at the Cross, Where I first saw the Light," so our focus is on a Person in a song like "Savior, we remember Thee." Everyone participating, from myself to the whole group, is uniting our hearts to focus on Jesus. The combined voices produce more than individual worship thoughts because the attention is on our Lord. Songs and celebrations go hand in hand. The Spirit of God uses carols at Christmas, special hymns and songs at weddings, and even appropriate songs at funerals to convey truth.
Praising the Lord naturally follows from being a child of God when we see His mighty power in helping us through tough times. Like Deborah and Barak, believers in the Lord Jesus Christ recognize that all praise and glory belong to Him when there is success in any effort or event. Victory over opposition, temptation, and potential defeat is God's work.
Songs and their words, in times of uncertainty and sorrow, serve to provide comfort and a balm to troubled souls facing great changes, loss, and confusing issues. When concerns arise, "Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus, Look Full in His Wonderful Face" can help a person go beyond physical pressures and immediate worries, offering a spiritual perspective.
Deborah and Barak sang a historic praise song called "Deborah's Song.” Her song (Judges 5) was sung on the same day victory was assured when Jael drove the nail into Sisera's temple, commemorating the victory immediately to prevent any misrepresentation of the events. The song emphasizes that praise is given to both the leaders who led and the people who volunteered; all are included in the ballad. “Mother in Israel” is a phrase used here to refer to a wise woman who spoke to Joab and then took action to protect her family and city. The title is one of honor, respect, and recognition.
All classes of society, from the highest to the lowest, were called upon to witness through song the mighty acts of God and to praise Him. For people who had endured twenty years of oppression, joining together in a song of praise to God would serve as an emotional release and a way to teach history. The song testified that travel and commerce during those years were disrupted because they had to take back roads to avoid being robbed. There were no blacksmiths allowed to the Israelites by their oppressors, lest they make weapons of war.
The desperate situation (vs.5-8) was addressed; the response to the challenge (vs.2,9) was mentioned. The song was spontaneous, practical (v.13), and individual. Included was the motive for the volunteer service some gave. The right attitude toward God (v.31) and the right attitude toward service were in the song (v.23). Reuben would not act (v.15,16); they only had emotion. Gilead was out of fellowship (v.17); voluntary lack of fellowship. Dan lacked growth (v.17); they just wanted things to stay the way they were. Asher lacked vision (v.17).
Those four tribes would not come to help drive out the enemies they had not driven out themselves. They may have stopped short because they [a] lacked faith and did not rely on God for help, [b] refused to put in the effort needed due to complacency, [c] feared the enemy and had no hope for the outcome, [d] and did not want to upset those they did business with, making them similar to those who are without God in the world. Disobedience and lack of faith lead to a loss of power to overcome obstacles and opposition.