Judges 5:23

Curse Meroz, said the angel of the Lord, curse its inhabitants bitterly, because they did not come to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty (NKJV).

Our text comes from the praise songs of Deborah. She was the only woman that ruled as judge in Israel. Yes, she was a judge and a mother of the nation. In this poem Deborah tells about the struggle of Israel against the Canaanites after a period of oppression. Together with Barak, she guided ten thousand men to attack the enemy’s army under the leadership of Sisera.

The outcome was a glorious victory for the people of God. Sisera fled and looked for shelter in the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber. Judges 5:24–27 describes how Sisera approached Jael, but then, how she after putting him at ease, killed him as she pierced his head.

In this poem of Deborah, Jael is acknowledged and honoured for what she has done, but at the same time we note the curse that is mentioned in verse 23: Curse Meroz, said the angel of the Lord, curse its inhabitants bitterly, because they did not come to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty (NKJV).

The sin of Meroz?

Meroz was a town in Israel, safely situated somewhere between the mountain slopes. The men of Meroz heard the call to report for duty, to assist against Sisera that was leading the Canaanites to attack Israel. Unfortunate and very sad to say: they did not respond to the call; they were disobedient. Some perhaps neutral, others perhaps passive and useless as they failed to do their duty. Never again do we read in the Bible about Meroz, as Meroz disappeared from the scene.

Meroz resembles people, more specifically Christians, Christians that are not prepared to pull their weight. It refers to those that are prepared that others rather carry the burdens and face the dangers. For many it has become too much of a tall order to be salt and light in this world. Comfort, laziness and self-interest has sadly conquered so many Christians in being faithful light bearers in the dark warfare against the great enemy.

Whatever your ability or talents and whatever your situation or circumstances today, may opportunities not pass us to be light bearers for Him in every possible way, I pray, in Jesus name, Amen.