THE BOOK OF DEBORAH THE SONG OF DEBORAH

I was reading through the verses of the song the Prophetess Deborah wrote. It’s in the bible and is considered as noteworthy as The Song of Moses. It could be rearranged to fit today’s world. Take the emphasis from a war against the Canaanites by the Israelites and apply them to the citizens of the world versus the Coronavirus.

The song begins by Deborah praising the warriors who “consecrated” themselves to liberation from the enemy. Think of the health care professionals, and the many essential folks working in the midst of this viral battle.

She describes how the people had forsaken living good lives and were easily oppressed by the enemy. Travel was banned. She sent up a cry for war. She sympathized with the Governors. There were no weapons to use in defense.

Many people were slow to heed the call. But she called for one of the most influential men of the time, named Barak. Barak means lightning. He refused to lead alone in the struggle and Deborah agreed to accompany him.

There was a terrible battle and the force of the enemy seemed unbeatable. Rains turned the battlefield to mud. The many chariots the enemy used became useless. Deborah, Barack, and their army beat them back.

The leader of the enemy was named Sisera in the bible. For today I’ll call him Corona. He escaped and took refuge in the home of a fearless woman named Jael. She let him in and as he hid, sleeping, she killed him.

The song ends with the oppressor defeated and the people returning to their lives. Deborah and Barak reminded the people to remain true to living good lives.

The people were free from the enemy for the next forty years. Maybe an ominous foretelling of another pandemic. The original verses are one translation of the song and history, as are these I’ve written, but it reminds me so much of a quote we have all heard and one of my grandmother’s favorites. She always said...“There’s nothing new under the sun.”

This Deborah’s advice is: “Keep your noses clean as well as your act.”