Continuing our reflection on the story of Deborah and Barak (Judges 4-5), I came across this curious phrase in the song Deborah sang;
‘Thus let all your enemies perish, O LORD, but let those who love Him be like the rising of the sun in all its might’ -Judges 5:31
or in another version it says; ‘Let those who love Him be like the sun’
But what does it mean to ‘be like the sun’?
Deborah and Baraks request is reminiscent of Jesus’ illustration when He predicted a time when ‘the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their father’ (Matthew 13:43)
How to ‘Be like the Sun’?
How are we to be like the sun?
These scriptures indicate what we are to do to be like the sun:
- Wait on the Lord (Psalm 37:5-7)
- Fear My Name (Malachi 4:2)
- Walk with integrity (Psalm 34:11)
- Who rules with justice, who rules in the Fear of the LORD (2 Samuel 23:3-4)
- Light shines on the righteous, and gladness for the upright heart (Psalm 97:11)
- Light shines in the darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate and righteous'(Psalm 112:4)
- Fasting That (Isaiah 58:6-8) (Isaiah 58:9-10):
- Frees those wrongly imprisoned
- Lightens the burden of those who work for you
- Lets the oppressed go free/removes the chains that bind people
- Share your food with the hungry
- Give shelter to the homeless
- Give clothes to those who need them
- Do not hide from relatives who need your help
- Remove the heavy yoke of oppression
- Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors
- Feed the hungry and help those in trouble
Shine Like Stars
Those who love Him are not only called to be like the sun, they are also called to shine like stars…
‘And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever’ (Daniel 12:3)
‘Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.’ (Philippians 2:14-16)
Do you want to shine like stars?
Then, lead many to righteousness and do all things without grumbling and disputing!
Shining Lights
Whether we choose to be like the sun, or shine like stars…we, who are disciples of Jesus, are all lights in this world!
‘You are the light of the world – like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly father’ (Matthew 5:13-16)
‘For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ...
We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves’ (2 Corinthians 4:6-7)
I will tell you a mystery…
There are also indications that we will be literal lights in the world to come…
‘There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for stars differ from star in their glory’ (1 Corinthians 15:41)
Someone may ask,
‘How will the dead be raised? What kind of bodies will they have?’ (1 Corinthians 15:35)
Jesus’ resurrection body is described in this way;
‘He held in His right hand seven stars, and a sharp double-edged sword came from His mouth. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest’ (Revelation 1:16)
This is how the bridegroom is described in Songs of Solomon;
‘Who is this that shines like the dawn, as fair as the moon, as bright as the sun, as majestic as the stars in procession’ (Song of Solomon 6:10)
And when Jesus ‘was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light’ (Matthew 17:2)
Arise, Shine
If ever there was a time to arise and shine, it is now!
As the song of Deborah exhorts;
‘Wake up, Deborah, wake up! […]
Arise, Barak’ (Judges 5:12)
Catherine Booth said this:
‘Many do not recognize the fact as they ought, that Satan has got men fast asleep in sin and that it is his great device to keep them so. He does not care what we do if he can do that. We may sing songs about the sweet by and by, preach sermons and say prayers until doomsday, and he will never concern himself about us, if we don’t wake anybody up. But if we awake the sleeping sinner he will gnash on us with his teeth. This is our work – to wake people up.’
It is time to wake-up, arise and shine!
Thick Darkness
‘Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you’ (Isaiah 60:1-2)
Little Fires & A Flotilla
A few years ago, we received a prophetic word about God lighting little fires and forming a flotilla across Britain (See the Prophetic Word HERE!)
Now is the Time to Shine in the Darkness!
‘The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it’ (John 1:5)
