For example, God took Deborah but not her husband Lapidoth – a name that means “torches.” He must have been a good man. Instead of Israel’s general, who had the beautiful name of Barak, meaning “lightning,” God used her as an instrument fit for His use. She became “a mother in Israel” (Jud. 5:7 JND) to judge and lead His people.

A Song In The Night
Deborah’s name is often translated “honeybee” – a word closely related to the Hebrew verb “to speak.” She honored her name, for she became a prophetess, speaking on God’s behalf, presenting His thoughts to His people who came to her “for judgment,” and communicating to them what was right. Notice that she did not claim to be a prophetess as Jezebel did (Rev. 2:20), but she truly was God’s spokesperson (see Jud. 4:4).

Things were upside-down, so to speak, during the time of the book of Judges. The days were characterized by failure, even lawlessness (Jud. 17:6, 21:25); there was not much to sing about in Israel. Still, whenever God is introduced by a true prophet, there will be a song (consider 1 Chr. 25:1-7), even though not many may join the singing. At this time only Barak sang with Deborah (Jud. 5:1).

In His discipline, to bring the Israelites back to Himself, God chastised His people by placing them under the harsh hand of Jabin, the Canaanite ruler, for 20 years. This caused Israel to cry to the Lord (4:1-3). With this background our attention is drawn to Deborah, who was used by God to train, during the years of oppression, a new generation of 10,000 soldiers (v.10). God used this long period of trials to prepare His people a lesson for us today (see Rom. 5:3-5). Under God’s guidance and blessing, Deborah challenged Barak to attack the enemy, which he did, and the Lord gave the victory (Jud. 4:6-16). Amazing story!

Mount Tabor is situated on a plateau in the middle of the country of Israel. God worked from that mountain with His people to give them a resounding victory (vv.6,12,14-15, 5:20) and enable Israel to gradually subdue the enemy’s power (4:24).

Overcomers Going Against The Downward Stream
Among the many heroes of faith listed in Hebrews 11, Barak is mentioned after Gideon and before Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets (v.32). Despite their shortcomings, God trained them in His school to become overcomers. Similarly, God used Deborah to prepare a generation of soldiers, including the general, Barak. Without Deborah’s spiritual leadership and courage, there would not have been any victory.

As a woman Deborah kept her proper place as Lapidoth’s wife, staying at home under the palm tree, a symbol of victory in Scripture. The people came to her there to be instructed about what is right according to God (Jud. 4:4-5; see Gen. 18:25). He used another woman, also at home, to eliminate the enemy’s top general (Jud. 4:17-22, 5:24-27).

Today our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities (2 Cor. 10:3-6; Eph. 6:10-18). This implies that we need to be willing to become God’s instruments so He can use us the way He wants. Do we have spiritual energy, faith and love for God and for His people as Deborah had (see Jud. 5:2,7)? Her right attitude was expressed by her words: “My heart is toward the governors of Israel, who offered themselves willingly among the people” (v.9).

The amazing composition sung by Deborah and Barak (vv.1-31) combines many elements needed for victory. The first song in Scripture (Ex. 15:1-19) was led by Moses. “The song of Moses” is also the last song in the Bible, “the song of the Lamb” (see Rev. 15:3-4). In Exodus it was sung by His people whom God had delivered from bondage, and it was followed by a response from the singing women, led by Miriam, Moses’ sister (15:20-21).

Towards the end of their wilderness journey we read about another song that Israel sang (Num. 21:16-18). It was sung by a new generation, after those who were older than 20 years when they left Egypt under Moses (1 Cor. 10:1-5) had died. Likewise, those trained by Deborah were a new generation. Today the Lord continues to prepare a new generation of believers who are ready to obey Him and be led to victory. Are you ready?

The Song Of Deborah And Barak
The warriors educated by Deborah were ready to commit themselves to God’s interests and willing to take charge – a reason to bless the LORD (Jud. 5:2,9). God is always looking for willing hearts and happy givers (Rom. 12:1-2).

Her song draws our attention to the LORD and responds in singing to Him. Then, it refers to His methods and actions, briefly reviewing His victorious ways (Jud. 5:4-5). In contrast to God’s magnificent leadership, Deborah described the people’s failure during her days. She emphasized the lack of proper communications and of defensive or offensive means to counter the enemy (vv.6-8). This state of affairs necessitated a complete turnaround, which would come through a sovereign work of God in the willing hearts of true overcomers – those who honored God (vv.9-11). Very vividly, Deborah called herself four times to awake, and called Barak to rise up and lead his captivity captive (v.12; consider Ps. 68:18; Eph. 4:8). The song also called the remnant of the willing people, nobles and mighty ones, to come down with her (Jud. 5:13). This implies their coming down from Mount Tabor together with the Lord. These details provide many lessons for us today, namely that a spiritual battle can only be fought with His help and on His terms (see 1 Cor. 10:6-13).

The song goes on to describe others and their involvement or lack of it. This victory song does not hide the fact that there was failure among God’s people. Deborah, as a spiritual mother, complimented Ephraim, the tribe to which she belonged, as well as Benjamin and Machir (part of Manasseh). She also included Zebulun and Issachar, as these tribes had been involved in the battle against the Canaanites (Jud. 5:14-15). Reuben, however, after much deliberation decided not to get involved (vv.15-16), nor did Gilead, Dan and Asher (v.17).

Zebulun and Naphtali fought (v.18) with the help from heaven (4:14-15, 5:20), for God gave sudden rains which swept the enemies away (v.21). Such torrents were very dangerous, because people would flee using dry riverbeds and then, suddenly, rushing water from a rainstorm would cause them to perish. This is what happened.

The third part of the song (vv.23-27) describes two different attitudes. First, the indifference of those who might have been useful to provide help, being closest to enemy territory, especially when the battle turned into Israel’s favor. Meroz, part of the tribe of Naphtali, did not want to get involved (v.23), even though several from Naphtali did (v.18). Therefore Meroz was put under a curse. In contrast, the song calls Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite who had come from outside of Israel, “blessed” because of what she did to Israel’s major enemy (4:18-22, 5:24-27). She acted as a true overcomer. We need to keep in mind that we are involved in a spiritual battle. In the day of grace, rather than trying to avenge ourselves we should promote the interests of the God of all grace.

Some divide this song into nine stanzas, of which 5:30-31 is the last one, forming the conclusion. As believers belonging to the period of grace we should pray as Jesus did on the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Lk. 23:34), or like Stephen, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:60 ESV).

It is remarkable how the song in Judges 5 describes exact details and provides insight that only the Spirit of God could reveal. Yet, they were a blessed reality for the faith of Deborah and of Barak. We may, through faith, fully identify with the song’s last line, “Let them that love Him be as the rising of the sun in its might” (v.31 JND). This links us with Abraham – the father of the believers, who “was called a friend of God” (Jas. 2:23 ESV) and with all true believers. Because of this relationship of true love we can be overcomers through the strength only our Lord gives, compared with the rising of the sun in its might. Then we will enjoy rest in the turmoil of this world and calmness, as in the eye of the hurricane. To such friends the Lord reveals the secrets of His heart through His Word and Spirit (see Amos 3:7).

Closing Comment
Other songs of praise and prayer by women in Scripture connect Deborah with mothers like Hannah (1 Sam. 1-2), Elizabeth (Lk. 1:41-45) and Mary (1:46-55). May the Lord help us all to likewise live with a spirit of devotion and dependence on Him.

By Alfred Bouter