The Word for Today with Ray

Saturday, September 19, 2026

In the Days of Shamgar - Judges 5:6

In the book of Judges we learned, “Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying, praise you the LORD for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves. Hear, O you kings; give ear, O you princes; I, even I, will sing unto the LORD;I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel. LORD, when you went out of Seir, when you marched out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped, the clouds also dropped water. The mountains melted from before the LORD, even that Sinai from before the LORD God of Israel”, and in chapter five and verse six of Judges, we learn how Deborah and Barak used their voices to sing, “in the days of Shamgar the son of Anath” where we read,

In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael,

the highways were unoccupied, and the travelers walked through byways.

The verse reads, “In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, …” The writer began with the words, “in the days of Shamgar” which means “in the time period or season belonging to Shamgar whose name means ‘sword’ and was a judge of Israel; with an ox-goad he slew 600 Philistines and delivered Israel” “the son of Anath” or “the male offspring belonging to Anath whose name means ‘answer’” “in the days of Jael” which means “in the time period or season belonging to Jael whose name means ‘mountain goat’ and was the wife of Heber the Kenite who killed the general Sisera as he slept by driving a peg through his temples into the ground”. The writer referred to the time periods of “Shamgar who was Anath’s son and Jael”.

The verse continues, “… the highways were unoccupied, and the travelers walked through byways.” The writer added the words, “the highways were unoccupied” which means “the path, road and wayfarers ceased, desisted and ended”, “and the travelers” or “and the ones who walked, departed and proceeded” “walked through byways” which means “ambled and made their way by winding a crooked paths”. The writer shared how the paths and roads ended and people ambled along the crooked paths.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn in the time periods belonging to “Shamgar and Jael”, the broad traveling roads were empty and people traveled by means of the crooked paths because of the oppression of “Jabin”. Let us be mindful that “Deborah and Barak” were singing their song, and this was a recounting of the way it was before they delivered Israel. God loves the people of “Israel”, and He loves us. He knows the conditions we live in, and He is well aware of our eternal separation from Him unless we receive His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth and to give us the ability to understand that He knows our circumstances and is working on our behalf. (See John 3:16; Matthew 6:6, 18)

Next time we learn how Deborah and Barak sing, “the inhabitants of the villages ceased”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

The Mountains Melt Before the LORD - Judges 5:5

In the book of Judges we learned, “Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying, praise you the LORD for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves. Hear, O you kings; give ear, O you princes; I, even I, will sing unto the LORD;I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel. LORD, when you went out of Seir, when you marched out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped, the clouds also dropped water”, and in chapter five and verse five of Judges, we learn how Deborah and Barak sung, “the mountains melted from before the LORD” where we read,

The mountains melted from before the LORD,

even that Sinai from before the LORD God of Israel.

The verse reads, “The mountains melted from before the LORD, …” The writer began with the words, “the mountains” which means “the hill country and risings above the plain” “melted from before the LORD” or “distill, flow forth and drop in front and within the presence of Jehovah who is the existing One and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”. The writer shared how the risings above the plain distilled and flowed forth in the presence of Jehovah God.

The verse goes on to say, “… even that Sinai from before the LORD God of Israel.” The writer continued with the words, “even that Sinai” which means “indeed and also that Sinai whose name means ‘thorny’ and was the mountain where Moses received the Law from Jehovah; located at the southern end of the Sinai peninsula between the horns of the Red Sea; exact site unknown” “from before the LORD God” or “in front and within the presence of Jehovah who is the existing One and is the proper name for the One True God, the Supreme Deity” “of Israel” which means “belonging to Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’ and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”. The writer shared how “Deborah and Barak” referred to “Mount Sinai” as being the “mountain” being “melted” in the presence of Jehovah God the Supreme Deity of “Israel”.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how “Deborah and Barak” included the “melting” of the risings above the plain including “Sinai” that “melted” in the presence of Jehovah God of “Israel”. God is the Creator of the heavens and earth, and mountains melting before Him are not difficult at all. When He decided to move on behalf of His people, no one and nothing was able to stop Him. He also desires a personal relationship with everyone through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we submit to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and to help us recognize how powerful and awesome He is in the presence of all the earth. (See John 3:16; Psalms 24:1)

Next time learn how Deborah and Barak sing, “in the days of Shamgar the son of Anath”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

When the LORD Went To Seir - Judges 5:4

LORD, when you went out of Seir, when you marched out of the field of Edom,

the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped, the clouds also dropped water.

The verse reads, “LORD, when you went out of Seir, when you marched out of the field of Edom, …” The writer began with the word, “LORD” which means “Jehovah who is the existing One and is the proper name of the One True God”; “when you went out of Seir” or “at the time and moment you, Jehovah God, left and departed from Seir whose name means ‘hairy or shaggy’ and was a mountain range in Edom extending from the Dead Sea to the Elanitic Gulf”; “when you marched” which means “at the time and moment you, Jehovah God, stepped and made a stride” “out of the field of Edom” or “from the land, country and cultivated ground belonging to Edom whose name means ‘red’ and was the land south and southeast of Palestine”. The writer shared how “Deborah and Barak” referred to the time Jehovah God departed from Mount “Seir” and took strides from the cultivated ground belonging to “Edom”.

The verse continues, “… the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped, the clouds also dropped water.” The writer added the words, “the earth trembled” which means “the land, country, territory and region quaked and undulated”, “and the heavens dropped” or “and the visible sky, abode of the stars, universe and atmosphere dripped, and distilled gradually”, “the clouds also dropped water” which means “the thickness, darkness and cloudy mass even so and indeed dripped water”. The writer said the “earth, heavens and clouds” put forth distilled water when Jehovah God departed from “Seir” and “marched” from the cultivated ground of “Edom”.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how “Deborah and Barak” sang about the movement of the earth and skies at the time God was on the move. God was behind the victory that Israel had over over “Jabin”, and nothing would stop Him when He decided to act. God will do the same for us when we yield to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the grave after three days. At the time and moment we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and teach us the value of knowing the power He exercises on behalf of His people. (See John 3:16; Revelation 6:2)

Next time learn how Deborah and Barak sing, “the mountains melted from before the LORD”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Hear, O You Kings - Judges 5:3

In the book of Judges we learned, “Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying, praise you the LORD for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves”, and in chapter five and verse three of Judges, we learn how Deborah and Barak sung, “Hear, O you kings; give ear, O you princes” where we read,

Hear, O you kings; give ear, O you princes; I, even I, will sing unto the LORD;

I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel.

The verse reads, “Hear, O you kings; give ear, O you princes; I, even I, will sing unto the LORD;” The writer began with the words, “hear, O you kings” which means “listen and pay attention, O you royal rulers and leaders”; “give ear, O you princes” or “hearken and listen, O you weighty, judicious, commanding and honorable rulers”; “I, even, I will sing” which means “I, Deborah and Barak, shall make music with my voice” “unto the LORD” or “to Jehovah who is the existing One and is the proper name for the One True God”. The writer shared how Deborah and Barak called out for the royal rulers and honorable leaders to listen to and hearken unto them because they were making music with their voices to Jehovah God.

The verse goes on to say, “I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel.” The writer continued with the words, “I will sing praise” which means “I, Deborah and Barak, shall bless, adore, salute and kneel by making music with my voice” “to the LORD God” or “to Jehovah who is the existing One and is the proper name of the One True God” “of Israel” which means “belonging to Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’ and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”. The writer shared how “Deborah and Barak” purposed to give honor and blessings to Jehovah who is the Supreme Deity belonging to “Israel”.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how important this portion of the “song” was for “Deborah and Barak”. They called upon royal rulers and leaders to listen to their “song” which was directed to Jehovah God. God loves the people of Israel, and He loves us as well. When He sent His Son Jesus into the world to be crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind and to be raised from the dead after three days, He made the way through faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”. When we submit to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit to help us “sing” of His victory over sin, death and our hating foes. (See John 3;16; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:37

Next time learn how Deborah and Barak sing, “LORD, when you went out of Seir”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Praise You the Lord for Avenging - Judges 5:2

In the book of Judges we learned, “Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying, …”, and in chapter five and verse two of Judges, we learn how Deborah and Barak sung, “Praise you the LORD for the avenging of Israel”” where we read,

Praise you the LORD for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves.

The verse reads, “Praise you the LORD for the avenging of Israel, …” The writer began with the words, “praise you the LORD” which means “bless, adore, salute and kneel you, people of Israel hearing this song, Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God” “for the avenging of Israel” or “because, since and on account of the exposing, dismissing and perishing pertaining to Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’ and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”. The writer shared how “Deborah and Barak” challenged the people of Israel in song to bless and adore Jehovah God because He absolved them and set them free.

The verse continues, “… when the people willingly offered themselves.” The writer added the words, “when the people” which means “at the time and moment the human beings” “willingly offered themselves” or “voluntarily incited, impelled and freely gave their own selves”. The writer referred to the time and moment the human beings of “Israel” voluntarily gave “themselves”.

When we think through the words in this verse, we see how “Deborah and Barak” encouraged the people of Israel to bless and adore Jehovah God because He set them free at the time and moment their “people” voluntarily gave their own selves. God was with the people of Israel, and when they gave themselves to His ways, He “avenged” them. God continually seeks for people to be in a personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus who came into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and to be raised from the dead after three days. When we believe and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and teach us the value of aligning with Him wherever He leads in His Kingdom. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Ruth 1:16)

Next time learn how Deborah and Barak sing, “Hear, O you kings; give ear, O you princes”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Deborah and Barak Sing - Judges 5:1

In the book of Judges we learned, “as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said unto him, Come, and I will show you the man whom you seek. And when he came into her tent, behold, Sisera lay dead, and the nail was in his temples. So God subdued on that day Jabin the king of Canaan before the children of Israel. And the hand of the children of Israel prospered, and prevailed against Jabin the king of Canaan, until they had destroyed Jabin king of Canaan”, and in chapter five and verse one of Judges, we learn, “then sang Deborah and Barak” where we read,

Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying,

The verse reads, “Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam …” The writer began with the words, “then sang Deborah” which means “at that time Deborah whose name means ‘bee’ and was the prophetess who judged Israel” “and Barak” whose name means ‘lightning or lightning flash’ and was the son of Abinoam of Kedesh who, incited by Deborah, a prophetess of Ephraim, delivered the Israelites from the yoke of Jabin by routing the Canaanites in the plain of Jezreel” “the son of Abinoam” which means “the male offspring belonging to Abinoam whose name means ‘my father is delight’”. The writer shared how “Deborah and Barak who was Abinoam’s” male offspring began to sing.

The verse goes on to say, “… on that day, saying,” The writer continued with the words, “on that day” which means “on that particular sunrise to sunset” “saying” or “uttering, declaring and proclaiming” the words in our next verse. The writer shared how “Deborah and Barak” began to sing on that particular day.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how “Deborah and Barak” began to sing a song on the day when “Jabin” and his entourage were defeated by the offspring of “Israel”. We shall discover the words or lyrics in our next few verses, but for now, let us be mindful that “Deborah and Barak” seized the opportunity to celebrate the victory the LORD gave them over “Jabin the king of Canaan”. God wants us to celebrate who He is and what He has done for us through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we yield to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and to help us know how to celebrate in song when He has given us the victory. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Philippians 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16)

Next time learn how Deborah and Barak sing, “Praise you the LORD for the avenging of Israel”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

The Children of Israel Prospered - Judges 4:24

In the book of Judges we learned, “as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said unto him, Come, and I will show you the man whom you seek. And when he came into her tent, behold, Sisera lay dead, and the nail was in his temples. So God subdued on that day Jabin the king of Canaan before the children of Israel”, and in chapter four and verse twenty-four of Judges, we learn how, “the hand of the children of Israel prospered, and prevailed against Jabin the king of Canaan” where we read,

And the hand of the children of Israel prospered, and prevailed against Jabin the king of Canaan, until they had destroyed Jabin king of Canaan.

The verse reads, “And the hand of the children of Israel prospered, and prevailed against Jabin the king of Canaan,…” The writer began with the words, “and the hand of the children of Israel” which means “and the power, might and authority pertaining to the offspring and progeny belonging to Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’ and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob” “prospered” or “became stronger and stronger”, “and prevailed against Jabin” which means “and were overcoming in opposition to Jabin whose name means ‘whom God observes’ and was another king of Hazor whose general, Sisera, was defeated by Barak” “the king of Canaan” or “the royal ruler and leader belonging to Canaan whose name means ‘zealous or lowland’ and was the fourth son of Ham and the progenitor of the Phoenicians and of the various nations who peopled the seacoast of Palestine”. The writer shared how “Israel” became more and more powerful and conquered “Jabin” who was the royal ruler belonging to “Canaan”.

The verse continues, “… until they had destroyed Jabin king of Canaan.” The writer added the words, “until they had destroyed” which means “till such time they, the children of Israel, cut off, eliminated and killed” “Jabin” “whose name means ‘“whom God observes” “king of Canaan” which means “the royal ruler and leader belonging to Canaan whose name means ‘zealous or lowland’”. The writer shared how the offspring belonging to “Israel” continued to dominate “Canaan’s royal ruler Jabin” till such time that they killed and destroyed him.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how Jehovah God caused the offspring of “Israel” to become stronger and stronger which allowed them to dominate and destroy “Jabin” the royal ruler belonging to “Canaan”. God gave them the power and strength to do this, and because He desires to have a personal relationship with us through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days, when we yield to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and give us the strength to defeat all foes who rise up in opposition to us and Him. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:37)

Next time we begin a new chapter and learn, “then sang Deborah and Barak”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…