The first time the Israelites battled the Canaanites, Joshua was their leader and he relied on God’s help. So, to defeat the Canaanites 200 years later, Deborah knew the Israelites would need God’s help again. We all face bullies and challenging times; sometimes the same problems repeat yearly, monthly, or even daily. And each time, the only wise choice is to seek God’s help.
[Deborah and Barak finished their song,]
“So may all your enemies perish, Lord!
But may all who love you be like the sun
when it rises in its strength.”
Then the land had peace forty years.
The big deal is that iron made for stronger equipment, including stronger weapons. The Canaanites were big, mean bullies, which was bad enough. But big, mean bullies with access to waaay better weapons is a recipe for disaster. The Hittites (one of the groups living in Canaan) were one of the first people groups to become skilled at fashioning items out of iron and steel. Without God’s help, a battle of iron versus bronze (what the Israelites had access to) could have been an epic fail. But Iron versus God? God wins every time.
Memorize part of Deborah’s song in Judges 5 to remind you that wise people trust in God. (Bonus: If your name is Deborah, you can use the first half of verse 12 as your own wake-up call.) Look at verses 12–13: “‘Wake up, wake up, Deborah!
Wake up, wake up, break out in song! Arise, Barak!
Take captive your captives, son of Abinoam.’
“The remnant of the nobles came down;
the people of the Lord came down to me against the mighty.”
God, give me wisdom so that I know what to do when I face big challenges. Amen.