The Meaning Of Life

https://biblehub.com/nkjv/judges/5.htm

I had wanted to be a fireman since I was five years old, maybe younger. I have many stories throughout my childhood that reinforced my desire, but the big turning point was in my Freshman year when, in Civics class, our teacher spent and entire 9 week period reviewing different occupations, bringing in members of the community to talk about their various occupants. And of course, there were two fireman that came and talked about the fire department.

Honestly, I don’t remember what they said except for one thing. When they were asked what it took to be a fireman, they honestly replied, “a High School Diploma and a Driver’s License”. From that point on, those were my goals. I didn’t care if I got D’s, as long as I passed the class and received credit towards graduation.

I should have paid better attention in English Literature. I didn’t want to at the time, but now half a century later, I wish I had.

The fifth chapter of the Book of Judges is titled, “The Song of Deborah”, and is a piece of work that is difficult to understand. I know what she is saying, but it is hard for me to comprehend the meaning behind it. Kind of like the Book of Job, which Ernest Hemingway said was the greatest piece of literature of all time. I don’t understand most of it, either.

The Song of Deborah is a song to the Lord, something they did frequently in those days. I don’t think it was like the hymns we sing today, these were focused on a particular subject, a particular event. And this song was about Israel’s fight with King Jabin, and how Barak and Israel’s army fought against them, how Jabin’s army commander Sisera had fled from battle, and how he had been killed by Jael.

And I guess as I think about it, I somewhat do the same; I don’t just give a blanket “thank you” to God for His blessings, I cite specific things He has done for me. I want Him to know that I recognize His blessings, specifically.

Most of Deborah’s Song is a recant of the even and what happened, but there are some interesting things I make note of. First, she refers to herself as the “Mother” of Israel. I’m sure that had something to do with her being the first female judge, the first female over Israel.

Then she specifically points out Jael; she knew the importance of what Jael did, and wanted to recognize her in song and prayer. And I still don’t think religion gives enough time or credit to the importance of Jael in this battle. And think, she didn’t just poison Sisera, she didn’t just tie him up and hold him for the army of Israel, she took a tent peg and drove it into his head with a hammer!

24“Most blessed among women is Jael,
The wife of Heber the Kenite;
Blessed is she among women in tents.
25He asked for water, she gave milk;
She brought out cream in a lordly bowl.
26She stretched her hand to the tent peg,
Her right hand to the workmen’s hammer;
She pounded Sisera, she pierced his head,
She split and struck through his temple.”

Then Deborah talks about the tribes who were not involved in the battle, and to me, she seems kind of critical of them, kind of disappointed that they didn’t come to help.

The chapter ends talking about how Israel “had rest” for 40 years. Forty years in the bible is considered one generation, and you will find that God times very things in 40 year increments. And through the Old Testament, the battles of Israel are told, and some are followed talking about the “rest” Israel experienced after those battles. Sound familiar? Israel today will go through many years of rest, then they are war for a period of time before this is rest once again. Only Israel isn’t on the attack like they were in those Biblical days, today Israel’s actions are more of a self-defense event.

Read and study the Song of Deborah, and I hope you enjoy it. I hope you did better in English Lit than I did.