Today's Reading: Judges 5

 

Melody to the Lord

This is the song of Deborah and Barak.  It is a song of victory.  But more than that, it is a song of praise to the God who gave them victory.  Deborah and Barak’s song of praise recalls the dramatic activity of God, the initiative of the leaders, and the willing service of the people which together...

produced the spectacular victory over Jabin, Sisera, and the military forces of Canaan.  One writer called this song "the finest masterpiece of Hebrew poetry" that "deserves a place among the best songs of victory ever written."*

The opening stanza gives the reason, as well as the call, to bless the Lord.  Their melody to the LORD praises Him for three reasons: (1) the leaders led; (2) the people served; and, (3) God brought the victory. 

They “bless” the LORD that the leaders took the lead in Israel.  The word “bless” in Hebrew means to kneel as an act of reverence.  They were truly thankful that God put it on the hearts of the leaders of the nation to get up and take action.  This outcome wasn’t always assured.  You remember from chapter 4, that it took a strong exhortation from Deborah to get Barak, the military leader, to get up and get going.  Now, they are thankful that God gave him the grace and courage to do so.

They also bless the LORD that the people “offered themselves willingly.”  Oh, what a blessing it is when we experience a grassroots rising of God’s people to service.  In every thriving church or ministry, there is always a strong army of servants among the congregation.  The leader cannot do it him/herself.  The people must be willing to offer themselves to get into the fray and take ground from the enemy.

The remainder of this melody to the LORD is praise for His personal involvement in the battle - not just this battle, but throughout Israel's history.  They didn’t fight alone.  God intervened and gave them the victory.  He showed Himself strong on their behalf.  And for that, they are truly thankful.

Thus we see three elements that are necessary for the success of any ministry: strong leadership, willing servants, and God’s power.  When these three elements converge, we too will be singing and making melody to the Lord for His victory.  “To the LORD I will sing; I will make melody to the LORD, the God of Israel.”

^*Robert H. Pfeiffer, Introduction to the Old Testament