This chapter relates the same story as chapter 4, but in poetic form. A few of the details differ but this should not make us think one account is erroneous. What probably happened is that the person who compiled the stories of this book related the story from 2 separate sources, 2 different perspectives. This is quite common in the historical books of the Bible. When we combine the 2 we can get the full picture of what happened and how.
In the song of Deborah we see that although human beings did the work, the Lord gets the glory. Israel is depicted as weak, dispirited, powerless and unable to act. The Lord uses Deborah and Barak to bring the people up out of their despair and act in unity. Alone none of them can achieve anything. Together as a body they become an invincible force.
No believer operates alone, apart from the rest of the Body, the Church. There is no such thing as a “lone ranger Christian”. We need other believers to encourage us in our daily walk and to hold us accountable for our actions. We need other believers so we can minister to them and express the love of God even as they do the same for us. Yes the church is full of hypocrites but what better place for them to be? After all, they are sinners in need of love and grace as are we all.
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