Zebulun and Naphtali Jeopardized - Judges 5:18

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,  … Why abode you among the sheepfolds, to hear the bleatings of the flocks? For the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart. Gilead abode beyond Jordan: and why did Dan remain in ships? Asher continued on the sea shore, and abode in his breaches”, and in chapter five and verse eighteen of Judges, we learn how Deborah and Barak sung, “Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeopardized their lives” where we read,

Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeopardized their lives unto the death 

in the high places of the field.

The verse reads, “Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeopardized their lives unto the death …” The writer began with the word, “Zebulun” whose name means ‘exalted’ and was the tenth of the sons of Jacob, sixth and last of Leah; progenitor of the tribe of Zebulun” “and Naphtali” whose name means ‘wrestling’ and was “the sixth son of Jacob and the second by Bilhah the handmaid of Rachel and the progenitor of the tribe of Naphtali” “were a people that jeopardized their lives” which means “existed as a group of human beings who reproached, taunted, blasphemed, defied and upbraided their, the people of Naphtali’s, selves, minds, desires, emotions and passions” “unto the death” or “till dead, killed or destroyed”. The writer shared how “Deborah and Barak” sung about how the people of “Zebulun and Naphtali” reproached their own living to the point of dying on behalf of the liberation of Israel. 

The verse goes on to say, “… in the high places of the field.” The writer continued with the words, “in the high places” which means “within the elevated, lofty and haughty locations” “of the field” or “pertaining to the cultivated land, ground or country”. The writer shared how “Deborah and Barak” sung of how “Zebulun and Naphtali” “jeopardized their lives” within the lofty locations of the cultivated grounds. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how the people of “Zebulun and Naphtali” were intensely involved in rescuing “Israel” from “Jabin”. Not only did they put aside their own emotions and passions to live, but they also engaged in battle within the lofty cultivated plains. Not everyone came to the aid of “Deborah and Barak” when they were going to attack the armies of “Jabin”, but the people of “Zebulun and Naphtali” did. God want us to engage in the battle for souls to be saved in His Kingdom. 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 so that all who put their faith and trust in Him will be forgiven of their sins, granted everlasting life and equipped with His Holy Spirit who will guide them into all truth and give them the ability to be bold and courageous in fighting for the salvation of as many people as possible. (See John 3:16; 4:35)

Next time we learn how Deborah and Barak sing, “the kings came and fought”, 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".