Judges 5 is a song—a powerful, poetic celebration of a great victory that came from God’s hand. After the dramatic events of chapter 4, where Deborah and Barak led Israel to triumph over Sisera and the Canaanite army, this chapter invites us to pause, reflect, and give praise. It reminds us that remembering God’s goodness and giving Him glory is not just a response to what He’s done—it’s an essential part of our walk with Him. When we read these verses, we’re not just hearing history—we’re joining in worship and recalling that God is faithful to fight for His people.
The chapter opens with Deborah and Barak singing, “Because the leaders took the lead in Israel, because the people offered themselves willingly, be blessed, Yahweh!” This sets the tone. It wasn’t just military strength that won the day—it was leadership marked by obedience and people willing to rise up. And above all, it was Yahweh who gave the victory. Their song is full of vivid imagery, stirring language, and deep gratitude. We’re drawn into the awe of watching God step into human affairs with unstoppable might.
As the song continues, we’re taken back to remember what things were like before this deliverance. “In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied, and the travelers walked through byways.” The people were living in fear. They couldn’t even travel safely because of the oppression they lived under. Village life had ceased. There was no safety, no order, and certainly no confidence in their future. But then Deborah arose, described beautifully as “a mother in Israel.” That image isn’t just sentimental—it’s a picture of nurturing leadership, of someone who brings life, care, and courage.
The song reflects on how the people had turned from God. “New gods were chosen; then war was in the gates.” We’re reminded again how abandoning the Lord always brings chaos. And yet, when God’s people turned back to Him, He responded with power and deliverance. Deborah’s song calls on all who hear to give attention: “Speak, you who ride on white donkeys, you who sit on rich carpets, and you who walk by the way.” Everyone—from the wealthy to the humble traveler—was to hear and remember this act of God.
What’s especially moving is the way the song highlights the roles people played. It names tribes that stepped up—like Ephraim, Benjamin, Zebulun, Issachar—and also calls out those who didn’t. Reuben, Gilead, Dan, and Asher are rebuked for staying behind. They had their reasons, but they didn’t come when their brothers needed them. This part of the song reminds us that when God calls us to act, neutrality isn’t safe. To withhold our gifts, our strength, or our obedience when the call comes is to step away from His purposes.
Zebulun and Naphtali are praised for risking their lives. “Zebulun was a people that jeopardized their lives to the death, Naphtali also, on the high places of the field.” They didn’t hold back. They showed up in faith. It wasn’t just the might of their arms that mattered—it was their willingness to trust and act on God’s word. God doesn’t always look for the strongest or the most skilled; He looks for those who will say yes.
The song gives us a stunning image of God’s intervention: “From the sky the stars fought, from their courses they fought against Sisera. The river Kishon swept them away.” This victory wasn’t natural. It was divine. God used the elements—heavenly forces and even the river—to defeat an enemy that had seemed invincible. Sisera’s iron chariots were no match for the Creator of the heavens and the earth. When God fights for us, no weapon formed against us can prosper.
Then we return to Jael—the woman who ended Sisera’s life. The song honors her, calling her “blessed above women.” It paints the moment in detail. Sisera asked for water; she gave him milk. She brought him comfort and then struck decisively. While this scene is violent, the song doesn’t shy away from it. It presents Jael as an instrument of divine justice. Her courage is honored because she did what others might have feared to do. She acted when the opportunity came.
The song then shifts to a poignant and chilling contrast. It imagines Sisera’s mother looking out a window, wondering why her son hasn’t returned. Her attendants suggest he’s dividing the spoils of war. It’s a sobering image. While she waits, assuming his victory, we already know that he’s been defeated. The reversal is complete. The mighty have fallen, and the humble have been lifted up.
The final line of the song is a prayer, one that still resonates for us today: “So let all your enemies perish, Yahweh, but let those who love Him be as the sun when it rises in its strength.” This is the heart of the message. When we love and trust God, we shine—not with our own brilliance, but with His. His enemies don’t prevail forever. He will bring justice. And those who love Him, those who cling to Him and obey Him, will stand in the brightness of His victory.
Judges 5 isn’t just an old song. It’s a testimony. It teaches us to remember, to worship, and to respond when God calls. It urges us not to stand aside but to offer ourselves willingly, to let God’s strength work through our weakness. The story it celebrates is historical, but the truth it declares is eternal. Our God is still the One who fights for us, still the One who raises up unexpected leaders, and still the One who deserves all our praise. Let’s be among those who love Him, and who rise like the sun—steadfast, radiant, and full of His light.