Our Choice

"In the days of Shamgar, the son of Anaath, in the days of Jael,  the highways were unoccupied, and the travelers walked through byways." Judges 5: 6

Today, we see the 'byways' of this world are often traveled more than the 'highway of holiness' in which the Lord tells us to walk.  It is either the "byway" or the "highway of holiness", which  we will chose as we walk through this life.  In Deuteronomy 30:15, the Lord says he set before his people life and good, and death and evil.  In that, He commanded his people to love the Lord and walk in his ways, keep his commandments, statutes and judgments that they might live and multiply. The result would be blessings in the land which they went in to possess.  The Lord was their life and the length of their days.  He is also our life and we have been given a spiritual highway on which we must travel and walk within his commands and boundaries. 

The right highway refers to progress as we go forward in our journey with Christ.  In Hebrew definition, the byways were called the crooked paths and not as the straight and narrow road called the highway of holiness, which is the way to our heavenly destination.

**Judges 5 is a Song of Deborah and Barak after the victory God had given them in battle.  In this passage of Scripture, Israel was oppressed as the land was full of confusion and anarchy.  The holy land was full of bandits and no public road was safe for travel.  The people of the villages were forced to live in strong and fortified places or to live together in numbers, in order to protect themselves from bands of wicked men.  The inhabitants of the villages ceased in Israel, until Deborah arose a mother in Israel. (Judges 5: 7)

Israel had forsaken God for new gods which could not deliver them.   They had been totally unarmed by their enemies with war in the gates.  Disobedience was the cause of their calamities as a Nation, as when they had served the Lord God, they were at peace.  While they were living according to God's laws, they were prosperous and there was no danger of bandits, as the nation was fully armed to defeat anyone who might attack them.

Deborah is seen as one of the main characters in this story of history, which shows us how God used a woman in a great way to direct the war by prophecy.  She judged Israel at this time and was a prophetess to speak for the Lord.  Barak was also chosen to lead in this battle but told Deborah if she would not go to battle with him, then he would not go.  She had confidence in the Lord to fight the battle.  Then, God placed within Barak and the hearts of 10,000 men to have faith without bearing weapons to overcome a large and well armed company of men who also had 900 chariots of iron.  Victory looked impossible but with God in charge, became a reality for his honor. This was a great miracle as the Lord chose a new way of war, and Himself defeated the gates of the enemy which opposed Israel.  Deborah had said the Lord would sell Sisera, the captain of the enemies army, unto the hand of a woman for his honor. 

The army of Sisera attacked Barak and the 10,000 men who had come to Mt. Tabor.  *In the midst, Barak and his soldiers rushed upon these suddenly, and God begin to act in their behalf, causing terror and confusion throughout the entire army of the Canaanites.  They threw down their weapons in fear to turn and run in defeat.  The battle was fought by the Lord as his people followed his instructions. The Israelites then picked up the weapons of the Siseran Amy and the enemy was slain as they ran away.  The whole army of the enemy was slain by men and the captain slain by a woman. This was a new type of war that brought victory and deliverance to Israel.  Israel fought in this battle for liberty and for their lives, not for the spoils of war.  The Kings came and fought, but took no gain of money. This also made a difference in their winning the victory.  The children of Israel prevailed against Jabin, the King of Canaan, until they had destroyed him on this day with victory in the battle led by the Lord.  We also fight the good fight of faith as free in the Lord and to endure until the end, not just for the benefits or blessings; but that we might bless the Lord by obedience. Unity, obedience, and faith in God wins battles.

**In this battle, the angels of heaven and the stars fought in their courses for God's people, Israel, on that day.  This day was a crisis in the history of Israel, who were the chosen people of God, to bring the Messiah into the world through their seed. They would also produce the revelation of God through writing the Holy Scriptures as inspired by God.  The Lord would not let this people be defeated even though they had at times failed him in their walk.  He knew the plans for the future he had for them and was there to make sure nothing interrupted his plans.  Every scheme of the enemy was defeated by the power of the hand of the Lord on this day.  We note there had been no singing before the victory, but there was now rejoicing and songs of praise in the 'Song of Deborah and Barak' for victory in battle.

"The Song of Deborah was to thank God for the victory and deliverance of Israel from defeat and oppression for 20 years.  It celebrated the zeal and bravery of the rulers and people who had faith in God and had volunteered to go to war against their common enemy.  These joined in unity and believed the prophetic words stated.  More than anything, this song honored God for his supernatural part in this uneven struggle between two earthly foes.  Deborah had said unto Barak:

"Up, for this is the day in which the Lord hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the Lord gone out before thee?"  Judges 4: 14

Her prophetic statement came to pass just as it had been spoken, and the Lord went before them in battle and then gave a new song of rejoicing.

In our day, if we choose the highway of God, He will go before us to lead and be our guide all along the way. Choosing the byways and crooked paths will lead one astray, as they lead to the road of destruction.  God is always drawing  those he loves to come out from among the world and be separate, a people called by his name who love him.  May we always be this people who will keep walking in the light of the Lord and know that we have one who will protect us on our journey and in battle give us assurance as He has already won the war.

This is the day the Lord also tells us to "arise, he has given the enemy of our souls into our hands."  He will go before us and fight our battles as he has promised no weapon formed against us shall prosper.  Thanks to our Lord for the assurance that what the enemy means for harm shall not prosper with God in control of all things.  He has promised all things work together for good to those who love him and are called according to his purpose.  As we go on with the Lord, we will never walk alone. He will always be with us.

Blessings in Christ,
Jo Ann Kelly (c) 2002
J. P.'s Inspirations

**Scriptures References KJV Bible
*King James "The New Open Bible"... Study Edition
**Commentary Dake Bible notes & references