In chapter 1 of Judges we saw a reference to the Kenites. In the reading today we find that God moved a man north so that his wife could be where God intended to use her to win a battle.

Barak leaves his comfort zone, goes down the mountain, into overwhelming odds, believing in the words spoken to him through God's prophetess, Deborah.

Chapter 4 was written in prose. Chapter 5 covers the same events but is written in poetry, the song of Deborah and Barak. It is not Deborah the Prophetess, but Deborah the Poet. Chapter 5 reveals that there was real involvement on the part of a few, and little involvement or apathy on the part of many. Both chapters begin and end with the role of women in victory in Israel.

There was a song sung in Exodus 15, a song of redemption that everyone was expected to sing. This song in Judges 5 is not a song of redemption, but a song of deliverance in the face of overwhelming odds, and it is only two people this time who are singing.

v1-5 is Delight in God.
v6-11 describes the distress in Israel prior to this victory.
v12-18 deals with divided loyalties.
v19-23 describes the defeat of the Canaanites.
v24-31 covers the death of Sisera and the despondency of his mother.

Every Christian will be reviewed after the battle is over. We have an appointment with the Lord Jesus, and that day will reveal what we have done in the day of battle. The Cross brings not only redemption, but also responsibility.

The same God whose power was seen so clearly at Mount Sinai was seen that day on the field of battle.