Judges 5:19-23– God’s people have His backing

The Canaanites had a formidable force. Several kings in alliance joined forces and fought the make-shift army of the Israelites. Though the people of Israel had 10,00o men they all came, because they were oppressed. With the rallying cry of Deborah and led by Barak, the oppressed Israelites came from the different tribes as we have discovered in the previous verses. They came to him and joined in the fray with him. Remember, Sisera had 900 iron chariots. The force that Israel was up against was an impressive force. How could mere flesh and blood come up against an intimidating coalition of armies with 900 iron chariots? However, at Taanach near the waters of Maggido and in the valley of Esdraelon, they fought. And the Canaanites with the formidable force could not plunder the Israelites. They took nothing, not a single silver. Why? The Lord intervened on His people’s behalf. Poetically verses 20-21: tells us how. These two verses say:   

“The stars fought from heaven,
From their courses, they fought against Sisera.

“The torrent of Kishon swept them away,
The ancient torrent, the torrent Kishon.

What happened was the Lord had sent a mighty torrent. A huge rainstorm occurred and turned the normally calm and non-turbulent river Kishon into a mighty violent flow and surge of water. As a result, the horses pulling the 900 iron chariots failed in their struggle to beat the chaos caught by the rainstorm. That was when the Israelites came and routed the forces led by Sisera until he had to flee on foot. We know that the commander finally came to the tent of Jael, where he was murdered. The hand of God was fighting on His people’s behalf. This time, He used the force of nature to save His people. No one can predict what the Lord can do just to rescue His people. This should encourage us to trust the Lord and know that He can take care of us when we cast our care upon Him.

However, we find here a group whose failure was highlighted. They did not come to assist in the battle that the Israelites were engaged in. They were the people located in Meroz, a city near the battle scene. Here the angel of the Lord put a curse on them. Like the Reubenites, like the tribe Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh who were located west of Jordan and like the coastal tribes of Dan and Asher, the Israelites living in Meroz did nothing to assist in the fight against the Canaanites. They remained nonchalant in the fray that their brethren were engaged in. They did not avail themselves to God and did not help their fellow brethren with their difficult encounters. This is a timely reminder that whatever our brethren are encountering, we cannot stay passive and not help. God will hold us accountable.  

Again, we are so privileged to be under the protection of our mighty God. Truly when He is for us, nothing can come victoriously against us. The unseen forces of God are at His behest to bring about our victory. Praise His name!