6 “In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath,
In the days of Jael, the highways [c]were deserted,
And travelers [d]went by [e]roundabout ways.
7 “The peasantry ceased, they ceased in Israel,
Until I, Deborah, arose,
Until I arose, a mother in Israel.
8 “New gods were chosen;
Then war was in the gates.
Not a shield or a spear was seen
Among forty thousand in Israel.
9 “My heart goes out to the commanders of Israel,
The volunteers among the people;
Bless the Lord!
10 “You who ride on [f]white donkeys,
You who sit on rich carpets,
And you who travel on the road—[g]sing!
11 “At the sound of those who divide flocks among the watering places,
There they shall recount the righteous deeds of the Lord,
The righteous deeds for His [h]peasantry in Israel.
Then the people of the Lord went down to the gates.
In verses 10 and 11 we have a contrast between the rich and the peasantry. Now, I don’t know if this is intentional, but it stood out to me, that she commands the rich to sing about God’s miracles. But, with the peasantry, the “average Joe”, she says “they shall recount the righteous deeds of the Lord…”
It could just be the way things came out to make it work nicely in song, but there’s no hint of commandment or exhortation with the peasantry. It’s almost a foregone conclusion that they’ll be talking about this down at the local watering hole (literally).
When things seem to be going fine (materially), we too easily forget that everything we have is from God. That all of it comes at His provision, and we ought to be forever grateful for each new day, for each breath pulled into our lungs. But it becomes routine to, and we take it for granted.
On the reverse side, the one who must work hard and struggle each day, knows the worth of each day, is more likely to be thankful for the miracles of God, and the everyday wonders we so easily take for granted.
Rich or poor (or somewhere in between), never let the gifts of God become commonplace in your life. Be thankful, work to keep that thankful attitude, and place your trust in Him regardless of your situation in this material world.