Israel had fought against their enemies. In this battle, they had had a dual leadership: Deborah, a prophetess and judge, had joined forces with a man, Barak, for the purpose of military action.

After God had given them victory, these two sang a song. In it they evaluated, among other things, how each of the tribes of Israel had answered the call to battle. Here are two positive, encouraging examples:

Zebulun had been willing to sacrifice himself for the good of the entire nation. This tribe had “jeopardized their lives to the point of death.” That is how much the interests of God had been worth to them! Humanly speaking, victory had been by no means guaranteed. The enemy was absolutely superior in numbers and equipment. Here to count on victory—only faith could do this.

The apostle Paul mentions a couple with similar qualities in Rome. Priscilla and Aquila had “risked their own necks for my life” (Rom. 16:4). Apparently, they had saved his life in a particular situation and had been willing to sacrifice their own lives for it.

The tribe of Naphtali had positioned themselves in the battle of the Israelites “on the heights of the battlefield.” These were exposed places of the battlefield where one could be well seen and easily attacked. But whoever could occupy and hold these heights was a good deal closer to victory. Maybe this is not everyone’s task. But even today there are spiritual positions that must not be abandoned; biblical truths that we must hold on to at all costs.

Who today is willing to give himself for God’s truth, for the welfare of His people and for the interests of the Lord’s work, and to take a firm stand?