The Sin of Apathy
There's a battle going on. I don't know if everyone is aware of this. Watch out for that wicked tool of the enemy called apathy along with his distraction of prosperity which might lead you right into inactivity. This is the theme of Deborah's song in Judges 5.
After the strange and yet decisive battle which saw three awkward people used in diverse ways to deliver Israel from the King of Hazor, we turn to a beautiful song from the Prophetess Deborah to hear her point of view.
The passage that sticks out is this mild rebuke to the tribes who failed to come help:
Judges 5:15–16 (ESV) the princes of Issachar came with Deborah, and Issachar faithful to Barak; into the valley they rushed at his heels. Among the clans of Reuben there were great searchings of heart. 16 Why did you sit still among the sheepfolds, to hear the whistling for the flocks? Among the clans of Reuben there were great searchings of heart.
Judges 5:17 (ESV) Gilead stayed beyond the Jordan; and Dan, why did he stay with the ships? Asher sat still at the coast of the sea, staying by his landings.
Asher and Dan were far to the west on the coast of the Mediterranean. The region of Gilead referred to the Transjordan tribes on the east of the river (Gad, Reuben and the half tribe of Manasseh). If that geography seems confusing, let me make this much simpler for you. The battle took place in the centermost area of Israel's territory and the tribes rebuked for not helping were the ones furthest from the war.
Deborah's rebuke rings much stronger now. It is a signal warning to God's people who feel that if it is not their battle/issue, it's not worth fighting. And when it comes to the purposes of God among His people, NOTHING could be further from the truth. The nation of Israel was to be a priestly nation set apart to God. It was to be a nation of concern for one another. It was to be a nation that represented to other nations that unity in the presence of God was stronger than any external threat to the people of God!
Yet how sad to see several of the unaffected tribes sit idle as their brothers fought for their lives. The song of Deborah gives some hints at what hindered Reuben: "great searchings of heart". This is translated, "there was great indecision" in the New Living Translation. Also, they were listening for the song of sheep. Sheep were a prized possession in Israel, the main agricultural commodity. Perhaps they let the SOUND of their own success keep them from risking their lives for the sake of their brothers. Asher and Dan were concerned with their shipyards! How ironic since Israel never had a strong naval operation. The hints conclude the inactive tribes were more concerned with empty pursuits of prosperity than their fellow people. This must never be the case for God's nation.
We cannot sit still and do nothing when the battle for the Gospel is being waged for the hearts and souls of men and women. And this battle is always happening. The counter-testament to this sad season in Israel's history is recounted for us in the book of Acts. After being filled with the Holy Spirit and facing the threats of the powers that be the Church became tighter with each other and looser with their possessions.
Acts 4:32 (ESV) Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.
Acts 4:34-35 (ESV) There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
The counter law to the sad season of Judges was given by the Apostle Paul:
1 Corinthians 12:26–27 (ESV) If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. 27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
After the strange and yet decisive battle which saw three awkward people used in diverse ways to deliver Israel from the King of Hazor, we turn to a beautiful song from the Prophetess Deborah to hear her point of view.
The passage that sticks out is this mild rebuke to the tribes who failed to come help:
Judges 5:15–16 (ESV) the princes of Issachar came with Deborah, and Issachar faithful to Barak; into the valley they rushed at his heels. Among the clans of Reuben there were great searchings of heart. 16 Why did you sit still among the sheepfolds, to hear the whistling for the flocks? Among the clans of Reuben there were great searchings of heart.
Reuben was not the only tribe to stay immobile during this key battle. The tribe of Dan and Asher became preoccupied with other things:
Judges 5:17 (ESV) Gilead stayed beyond the Jordan; and Dan, why did he stay with the ships? Asher sat still at the coast of the sea, staying by his landings.
Deborah's rebuke rings much stronger now. It is a signal warning to God's people who feel that if it is not their battle/issue, it's not worth fighting. And when it comes to the purposes of God among His people, NOTHING could be further from the truth. The nation of Israel was to be a priestly nation set apart to God. It was to be a nation of concern for one another. It was to be a nation that represented to other nations that unity in the presence of God was stronger than any external threat to the people of God!
Yet how sad to see several of the unaffected tribes sit idle as their brothers fought for their lives. The song of Deborah gives some hints at what hindered Reuben: "great searchings of heart". This is translated, "there was great indecision" in the New Living Translation. Also, they were listening for the song of sheep. Sheep were a prized possession in Israel, the main agricultural commodity. Perhaps they let the SOUND of their own success keep them from risking their lives for the sake of their brothers. Asher and Dan were concerned with their shipyards! How ironic since Israel never had a strong naval operation. The hints conclude the inactive tribes were more concerned with empty pursuits of prosperity than their fellow people. This must never be the case for God's nation.
We cannot sit still and do nothing when the battle for the Gospel is being waged for the hearts and souls of men and women. And this battle is always happening. The counter-testament to this sad season in Israel's history is recounted for us in the book of Acts. After being filled with the Holy Spirit and facing the threats of the powers that be the Church became tighter with each other and looser with their possessions.
Acts 4:32 (ESV) Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.
Acts 4:34-35 (ESV) There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
1 Corinthians 12:26–27 (ESV) If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. 27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
The Bible is continuously making clear that God does not create a person, He creates a people, a witness to the world of strife and faction that unity is possible when we are filled with the power of God.
So the best question we can ask ourselves right now are these: Who may be suffering in my faith family that I need to call? Who may be hurting that I need to heal? Who has a need that I need to meet?
Do not let apathy or distraction of prosperity keep you from the most valuable asset you have - your family.
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