Joel M Bradshaw

…Among the clans of Reuben there were great searchings of heart. 16Why 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.
17Gilead 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.
18Zebulun is a people who risked their lives to the death; Naphtali, too, on the heights of the field.–Judges 5

After the great deliverance from the enemy, Deborah sang a song of praise to God. Towards the end the mentions tribes by name. They either joined the battle or they didn’t. I highlighted here the humorous ending.

Reuben searched his heart. His tribe was called to action and they were stuck on ‘thoughts and prayers’. They sat still when they were needed.

When you read Gilead, think of the tribes that got land on the other side of the Jordan River. And as you can see, they weren’t willing to cross the Jordan to come help!

Dan hung back by the ships. We don’t know why. He just wasn’t where he was needed to be. Same with Asher.

And then there were others like Zebulun and Naphtali who risked all.

In life, we are called to respond to the teachings of the Bible. When you hear the word of the Lord, you are expected to be obedient and live a changed life. The temptation is to shift to neutral and have a great searching of your heart. Neutral stays put and doesn’t go anywhere.

When the Bible convicts you, respond. Be faithful. You can’t read, say, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers’ in Matthew 5 and say, “Gee, I’ll think about it.” God has already searched your heart and convicted you in your heart. You don’t need to search it anymore. The time is for action, to change.

How do you respond to the leading and convicting of the Bible? Where would you land in such a roll call? As one who got to action or as one who stayed still?–JMB