The Princes of Issachar with Deborah - Judges 5:15

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,  … Out of Ephraim was there a root of them against Amalek; after you, Benjamin, among your people; out of Machir came down governors, and out of Zebulun they that handle the pen of the writer”, and in chapter five and verse fifteen of Judges, we learn how Deborah and Barak sung, “the princes of Issachar were with Deborah” where we read,

And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah; even Issachar, and also Barak: he was sent on foot into the valley. For the divisions of Reuben there were great thoughts of heart.

The verse reads, “And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah; even Issachar, and also Barak:” The writer began with the words, “and the princes of Issachar” which means “and the rulers, chiefs, chieftains and officials belonging to Issachar whose name means ‘there is recompense’ and was the ninth son of Jacob and the fifth by Leah his first wife and the progenitor of a tribe by his name” “were with Deborah” or “were alongside and accompanied Deborah whose name means ‘bee’”; “even Issachar” which means “also and indeed Issachar whose name means ‘there is recompense’”, “and also Barak” or “and even so and indeed Barak whose name means ‘lightning or flashing lightning’ 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 writer shared how the leaders and rulers from “Issachar” accompanied “Deborah” and “Barak”. 

The verse continues, “he was sent on foot into the valley. For the divisions of Reuben there were great thoughts of heart.” The writer added the words, “he was sent on foot” which means “he, Barak, was dispatched and assigned upon his, Barak’s, physical feet” “into the valley” or “to the vale, lowland or open country”. “For the divisions of Reuben there” which means “because, since and on account that the classes belonging to Reuben whose name means ‘behold a son’ and was the eldest son of Jacob by Leah within that location” “were great thoughts of heart” or “existed as large, intense, important and mighty decrees, resolves, salutes and actions prescribed belonging to the soul, will and mind”. The writer shared how “Barak” was dispatched on his physical feet into the vale or lowland, because the classes of the tribe of Reuben who were there  were mighty and important in their souls and minds. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how “Deborah and Barak” had more support from the chieftains belonging to the tribe of “Issachar”. “Barak” was dispatched into the open country because the classes of the tribe of “Reuben” possessed important resolves within their souls and minds. God gave all these tribes their abilities and purpose to go alongside “Deborah and Barak” for the deliverance of Israel, and because He loves all people, God has employed many people to share His gospel throughout the world. God wants everyone to know that He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him 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 give us His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and give us the ability to tell others about His saving grace to those who believe. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:19-20)

Next time we learn how Deborah and Barak sing, “Why abode you among the sheepfolds, to hear the bleatings of the flocks?”, 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".