Joshua 5
Chapter 5 of Judges consists of "The Song of Deborah," in which Deborah and Barak defeat Sisera, the commander of the army of Jabin king of Canaan, and sing about the joy of victory and God’s guidance. Written in the form of a poem and song, this chapter sheds light on Israel’s situation at the time, the participation of various tribes, and the ways God worked throughout from multiple perspectives.
1verseWhen all the kings of the Amorites, who were beyond the Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, who were by the sea, heard how the LORD had dried up the waters of the Jordan from before the children of Israel until we had crossed over, their heart melted, and there was no more spirit in them, because of the children of Israel.
2verseAt that time, the LORD said to Joshua, “Make flint knives, and circumcise again the sons of Israel the second time.”
3verseJoshua made himself flint knives, and circumcised the sons of Israel at the hill of the foreskins.
4verseThis is the reason Joshua circumcised them: all the people who came out of Egypt, who were males, even all the men of war, died in the wilderness along the way, after they came out of Egypt.
5verseFor all the people who came out were circumcised; but all the people who were born in the wilderness along the way as they came out of Egypt had not been circumcised.
6verseFor the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness until all the nation, even the men of war who came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they didn’t listen to the LORD’s voice. The LORD swore to them that he wouldn’t let them see the land which the LORD swore to their fathers that he would give us, a land flowing with milk and honey.
7verseTheir children, whom he raised up in their place, were circumcised by Joshua, for they were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised them on the way.
8verseWhen they were done circumcising the whole nation, they stayed in their places in the camp until they were healed.
9verseThe LORD said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” Therefore the name of that place was called Gilgal to this day.
10verseThe children of Israel encamped in Gilgal. They kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month at evening in the plains of Jericho.
11verseThey ate unleavened cakes and parched grain of the produce of the land on the next day after the Passover, in the same day.
12verseThe manna ceased on the next day, after they had eaten of the produce of the land. The children of Israel didn’t have manna any more, but they ate of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.
13verseWhen Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man stood in front of him with his sword drawn in his hand. Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our enemies?”
14verseHe said, “No; but I have come now as commander of the LORD’s army.” Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and worshiped, and asked him, “What does my lord say to his servant?”
15verseThe prince of the LORD’s army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals, for the place on which you stand is holy.” Joshua did so.
Structure and Flow
- Verses 1-3: The Beginning of the Song — Deborah and Barak begin the song, praising Israel’s voluntary devotion and God’s greatness.
- Verses 4-5: God’s Presence — Recalling the time when God came down on Mount Sinai long ago, it describes God’s holy appearance.
- Verses 6-11: An Age of Confusion — Portrays how Israel suffered amid war and oppression, and emphasizes that God raised up a new deliverer.
- Verses 12-22: Battles and the Role of Each Tribe — Mentions Deborah and Barak’s devotion, and among the tribes of Israel, those who actively joined the fighting and those who did not.
- Verses 23-27: Jael’s Courage — Describes the incident in which Jael killed Sisera, Israel’s enemy, and praises her actions.
- Verses 28-30: Sisera’s Mother — Expresses the sorrow of Sisera’s mother and his officials as they wait for him to return.
- Verse 31: Conclusion and Blessing — Declares the downfall of those who oppose God, and the blessing and peace that come to those who love Him as it ends the song.
Overall Meaning
Judges 5 contains a message that goes beyond a mere song of victory; it shows that the unity and courage of those who obey and dedicate themselves to God bring deliverance to Israel. In that process, it demonstrates how much impact the obedience and roles of one person (Deborah, Barak, Jael) can have, and that God’s sovereignty is revealed in everything. This song invites reflection not only on God’s grace and the cooperation of His people, but also on the outcomes of disobedience.
Meditation Point
- As you reflect on how different figures—such as Deborah, Barak, and Jael—being faithful to the roles assigned to them in their respective places can lead to the community’s victory,
- the ways in which tribes actively participated in the war and those that did not can be an opportunity to look back on my own attitude toward life today.
- You can also think again about a mindset of giving thanks and praise to God, the ultimate authority over all things.
Try It on Yourself
- Take a moment to ask yourself what roles you play in the community, family, and society you belong to.
- Check whether your life reflects an attitude of willing obedience and devotion to God’s work, and believe that small acts of obedience can be powerfully used.
- As with “The Song of Deborah,” pray that this will be a week in which you can express the grace you received through praise and thanksgiving.
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