Deborah's song

Deborah is the name given to my third child. I didn't realize that she has one of the longest song in the bible (30 verses - Joshua 5)! David's victory song was likely the longest (50 verses - 2 Samuel 22) and the song of Moses and Miriam after they crossed river Jordan on dry land is much shorter (18 verses - Exodus 15).  These songs have one thing in common: they speak of God's redeeming power and victory is ours if we trust Him fully. Deborah's song ended with this verse (verse 31):
“So may all your enemies perish, Lord!
    But may all who love you be like the sun
    when it rises in its strength.”

Deborah was the only female judge in the bible (see christianity.about.com). There were 12 judges mentioned in the Book of Judges. They were heroes (though often imperfect as human can be) used by God to rescue the Israelites from their enemies. This book tells us that God is merciful and gracious, and is willing to save his people when they repent of their sins. I also learned that Samuel the prophet was probably the writer.

Carl Hagensick wrote a nice commentary on Deborah's song. This is a summary (and my applications):

• Deborah begins her song with praising the Lord for the victory, but is quick to add her appreciation of the willingness with which ten thousand Jews put their lives on the line to defend the nation against the superior armaments of the armies of Sisera. (verses 1-3) Application: with every victory I should remember to thank God as well as other Christians who supported me along the way.
• Undoubtedly the method God used to bring victory to Barak’s army was a flash flood of the river, brought on by a sudden storm making the approach route for Sisera’s chariots not only impassable but actually bogging them down in the mire. (verses 4,5) Application: the dark clouds that seem to cause the deepest distress in me are the very means God uses to destroy my enemies!
• Much of the blame for Israel’s desperate circumstances rested on their shoulders. Those to whom the safety of the people had been committed became instead the very ones who helped sponsor idolatry. (verses 6-8) Application: warning to those entrusted with the spiritual welfare of their flocks (including me!), who frequently depart from the teachings of the Bible, substituting the gods of humanism, secularism, or the creedal gods of the dark ages. Therefore, let me stay focus on the teaching of the only true word - God's!
• Deborah’s praise of the governors of Israel is in contrast to her attitude toward “those who ride on white asses” and those that “sit in judgment” and those that “walk in the way.”...Thus the conduct of the governors was to be an object lesson to them, as it was to lesser local judges who sat in judgment at the city gates and to those who walked by the way, an idiomatic expression for those who went along with popular opinion and did not have the strong character to stand for Israel. (verses 9-11) Application: I should follow the example of good leaders. I should be a good role model for those who look up to me.
• Awake, awake, Deborah: awake, awake, utter a song: arise, Barak, and lead thy captivity captive, thou son of Abinoam. Then he made him that remaineth have dominion over the nobles among the people: the LORD made me have dominion over the mighty.(verses 12,13) Application: reminding me to celebrate when I follow the Lord's call into action; otherwise I will miss the blessings!
• Deborah’s song demonstrates the varying decisions of the different tribes. Deborah singles nine of these tribes out for specific mention. Judah, Simeon, and Manasseh are not mentioned. This omission may indicate the extent of control that Midian, Amalek, and the Arabs had just before Sisera’s defeat.(verses 14-18). Application: don't refrain from giving assistance to other Christians for fear of financial loss, or out of the sense of personal security that says, “This is your battle to fight, it does not affect me.”
• It is from the song, and not the account of the battle in the previous chapter, that we learn the method God used was a flash flood down the Kishon River. The Kishon flows for about twenty-three miles from the hills of Taanach through a narrow mountain gorge to the sea. Usually dry in summer, spring rains can quickly cause a rushing torrent and swell the river to as wide as sixty six feet. Such a sudden onsurge of water would overwhelm the prancing horses and thoroughly mire down the scythed steel chariots. (verses 19-23) Application: God will fight for me against those I cannot!
• It was for this act of heroism that Deborah lavishes praise on Jael. By thus meeting his death at the hand of a woman, the prophecy was fulfilled that Barak would not receive the glory for the victory (Judges 4:9). (verses 24-27) Application: learn from the mistake of Barak - be brave and trust the Lord; otherwise the glory will go to someone else!
• Deborah closes her song on a satirical note, mocking the mother of Sisera for anticipating the victorious return of a conquering general... The song ends, like it begins, praising Jehovah, and neither Barak nor Jael, as the ultimate cause of victory. May it be thus, she pleads, to all tyrants who oppress the people of God. The enemies are temporary but the shining prospect of those who are the Lord’s is to shine eternally as the sun—the Sun of Righteousness with “healing in its wings” (Malachi 4:2). (verses 28-31) Application: a lesson for all Christians as they battle the foes of the world, the flesh, and the devil in their personal lives. Every time we experience a personal victory, let us lift up our hearts and voices in a hymn of testimony and praise.