March 8, 2025 - Judges 3-5

Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar and, then, Deborah and Barak.  With them is the repeat of a scenario that we see over and over again in the book of Judges; different people and kings but similar scenarios:  “And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord after Ehud died.  And the Lord sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan” (4:1-2).  Disobey God and do evil rather than good and what did Israel, and do we, expect?  But God was gracious and, after a season of discipline at the hands of Israel’s enemies, under Deborah’s leadership, “God subdued Jabin the king of Canaan before the people of Israel” (4:23).  And Deborah and Barak sang,

        “That the leaders took the lead in Israel,

      that the people offered themselves willingly,

      bless the Lord!

         “Hear, O kings; give ear, O princes;

      to the Lord I will sing;

      I will make melody to the Lord, the God of Israel.

That is, they sang unto the Lord in thanksgiving and praise for his giving victory over their enemies.  We should always do the same, especially for the victory over sin.  With Paul, we testify, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57).

I heard an old, old story, how a Savior came from glory

How He gave His life on Calvary to save a wretch like me

I heard about His groaning, of His precious blood's atoning

Then I repented of my sins, and won the victory, yeah

Oh, victory in Jesus, my Savior forever

He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood

He loved me 'ere I knew Him and all my love is due Him

He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood   --E. M. Bartlett (1939)