Why did you stay among the sheep pens to hear the whistling for the flocks? In the districts of Reuben there was much searching of heart. – Judges 5:16

Today's Scripture Reading (April 25, 2025): Judges 5

One of the enormous differences between the United States and Canada is the tie to Europe of both countries. For better or worse, Canada has voluntarily remained connected with Europe through the United Kingdom and the British Commonwealth. However, that time may be coming to a close. With the Commonwealth's refusal to back Canada in its current dispute with the United States, maybe the time has come for that relationship to end. Yet, even nations like Germany have affirmed their support for Canada. In a surprise move that I will admit I didn't see coming, there is support in Canada for the country joining the European Union. It won't happen because Europe won't allow a North American country to join their club, but the idea that Canada would want to join is a massive surprise. 

The United States has somewhat cut ties with Europe. However, the relationship has had its moments. The United States has consistently considered events in Europe as something that happens a long way off, and there has been a hesitancy in getting involved in "European conflicts." That was true in World War I. The United States declared its neutrality in the war. At the same time, Canada entered the war in August 1914 on the side of the United Kingdom, while the United States didn't join the fight until almost three years later, in April 1917. The reason the U.S. entered the war was that German submarines were indiscriminately sinking ships in the Atlantic Ocean, including American transports. The German action affected the United States' ability to sell its wares in Europe. And so, the United States entered the fight. 

World War II revealed a similar calendar of events. In many ways, the timeline of the Second World War begins with the end of the First. However, the accepted date for the beginning of the Second World War was September 1939, when Germany invaded Poland. The event forced the United Kingdom to admit they couldn't sit on the sideline anymore. They entered the war in an attempt to support Poland and the nations of Europe, and once again, Canada entered the war with their British friends. The United States once again attempted to stay neutral but entered the war when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, in December 1941.

There isn't a moral conclusion here. Maybe Canada should have waited to enter the war, coming in simultaneously with the United States. Or perhaps the United States should have recognized that both conflicts would bring war to the world and that neutrality might be a concept from the past. The good news is that in both wars and many other conflicts, the United States and Canada have fought more like brothers than anything else, sometimes side by side. In both wars, Britain understood that the presence of the United States was essential to a favorable resolution to the conflicts, which is another difference between the United States and Canada. The United States was the difference maker in both wars.  

Jabin, the King of Canaan, was threatening Israel. And something had to be done. Enter Deborah, the prophetess. She prophesied that Israel was going to defeat the Canaanite forces in battle. She also prophesied that a woman would strike the final blow because of Barak's hesitancy in going into battle without Deborah.

Because Israel had faith in Deborah, an army was raised to go up against the forces of Jabin, and Israel received from God their victory. And in the aftermath, Deborah and Barak sang a song of victory and praise to God. It is in this victory song that Deborah reminds us of an unfortunate truth. Not every tribe from Israel was involved in the victory. These tribes weren't late to the dance; they never showed up. Maybe they felt that the war was too far away and didn't involve them. East Manasseh and Reuben were located on the East side of the Jordan River, and Dan and Asher were in the far north of Israel. But Gad participated, and they were also located on the East side of the Jordan. And Naphtali was situated in the north, and they showed up, so not everyone used the excuse. Therefore, Deborah feels justified in her attempt to shame the "no-shows" in her song. 

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Judges 6