Deborah and the Messenger of Yahweh (#12 in Yahweh and the Angel of Yahweh)

I have always considered this kind of language used of God in the judge Deborah’s song of victory as figurative:

Yahweh, when you came from Seir, when you marched from the fields of Edom, the earth trembled, the skies poured rain, and the clouds poured water. The mountains melted before Yahweh, even Sinai, before Yahweh, the God of Israel. (Judges 5:4,5)

And it may be figurative, but it might be literal. The troops are marching, but Yahweh is marching with them. We have already seen how the Messenger of Yahweh traveled from Gilgal to Bokim (Judges 2). Perhaps Deborah is describing the physical manifestation of Yahweh whom Scripture calls the Messenger of Yahweh. He is equal to Yahweh, yet distinct from Yahweh.

Deborah says this later in her song:

“Curse Meroz,” says the Messenger of Yahweh, “Bitterly curse her inhabitants, for they did not come to help Yahweh, to help Yahweh with the warriors.” (Judges 5:23)

The Messenger of Yahweh was intimately involved in this battle, and here He is cursing one of the Israelite or Canaanite town that should have provided soldiers to fight Sisera. Deborah was a prophetess (Judges 4:4) and perhaps the Messenger of Yahweh appeared to her or spoke to her some other way, but she says He cursed Meroz.

Deborah admits in verse 8 that “Israel chose new gods.” They had sunk once more into idolatry, and that is when “there was war in the city gates.” Yahweh has been putting up with this constant decline into rejection of Yahweh worship to worship of Canaanite gods, one of the reasons He had required of Israel that they destroy the Canaanites, not allow them to continue influencing the people of Israel. But Yahweh rescues them when they repent and acknowledge their failure to be loyal to Yahweh. He raised up Deborah and other judges to lead His people in victory over their enemies.

Yahweh’s patience is extraordinary. He will put up with this pattern of misbehavior for 700 more years before He finally expels Israel from the land. How patient He has been with us, also.