When the princes in Israel take the lead, when the people willingly offer themselves— praise the Lord !   “Hear this, you kings! Listen, you rulers! I, even I, will sing to the Lord ; I will praise the Lord , the God of Israel, in song.   “When you, Lord , went out from Seir, when you marched from the land of Edom, the earth shook, the heavens poured, the clouds poured down water. – Judges 5:2-4

This passage is part of the song of Deborah after the victory over Siresa and his army.  She is stopping to remember, although I noticed there are more references to Deborah and her greatness than I remember in previous songs of remembrance like the one after the red sea crossing.  The focus on people rather than God is consistent with the slow fade we explored in yesterday’s post.

The description of water here provides an interesting contrast to the rain from heaven described earlier in the book of Joshua and numbers.  This rain seems to “pour down” in a destructive deluge reminiscent of God’s Rain that was described during Noah’s flood.  It is also a departure from the rain on tender plants that God promised to provide the Israelites.  The rain that pours down in this passage comes across more like a tank used in battle to blast the bad guys than a gentle rain to feed thirsty souls.

There is clearly a difference in the way the Israelites are perceiving and relating to God in this passage.  Whose position or posture changed?  Who moved?  Did god’s gentle rain turn into a downpour or were the Israelites seeing a deluge because that is the God they were looking for?  How often do we find the God we are looking for instead of the God who is, who was, and is to come — the great I am.

Prayer: God help me to maintain a posture and perspective so that I can see You for who You are instead of who I want You to be.