5:1ff Music and singing were a cherished part of Israel’s culture. Chapter 5 is a song, sung and possibly composed by Deborah and Barak. It sets to music the story of Israel’s great victory recounted in chapter 4. This victory song was accompanied by joyous celebration. It proclaimed God’s greatness by giving him credit for the victory. It was an excellent way to preserve and retell this wonderful story from generation to generation. (Other songs in the Bible are listed in the chart in Exodus 15.)
5:1ff In victory, Barak and Deborah sang praises to God. Songs of praise focus our attention on God, give us an outlet for spiritual celebration, and remind us of God’s faithfulness and character. Whether you are experiencing a great victory or a major dilemma, singing praises to God can have a positive effect on your attitude.
5:8 War was the inevitable result when Israel chose to follow false gods. Although God had given Israel clear directions, the people failed to put his words into practice. Without God at the center of their national life, pressure from the outside soon became greater than power from within, and they were an easy prey for their enemies. If you are letting a desire for recognition, craving for power, or love of money rule your life, you may find yourself besieged by enemies—stress, anxiety, illness, fatigue. Keep God at the center of your life, and you will have the power you need to fight these destroyers.
5:13, 14 Even against great odds, God’s people had “dominion over the mighty.” If you are struggling with something greater than you can handle, turn to the Bible for God’s encouragement. When the odds seem stacked against us, God can swiftly turn them to our favor.
5:15-17 Four tribes—Reuben, Gilead (either Gad or Manasseh), Dan, and Asher—were accused of not lending a helping hand in the battle. No reasons are given for their refusal to help their fellow Israelites, but they may be the same ones that stopped them from driving out the Canaanites in the first place: (1) lack of reliance on God for help, (2) lack of effort, (3) fear of the enemy, and (4) fear of antagonizing those with whom they did business and thus from whom they prospered. This disobedience showed both a lack of commitment to God’s plan and a weak faith in God’s power.
5:23 Meroz was probably a city near the scene of the great battle between the Canaanites and Israelites. It must have been an Israelite city, because it was cursed for not sending help against Sisera’s forces.