The Trouble with Meroz by Wm. Covert

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 1, 1902

The Trouble with Meroz

By Wm. Covert

MORE than three thousand years ago Deborah, a prophetess in Israel, sang of deliverance from the power of a mighty foe. Negligence and backsliding on the part of God's professed people had given the heathen a chance to repossess much of the land, and become strongly fortified in different places. Through this enemy, Baalism had re-established itself in many parts of Palestine, and by it the Lord's people were brought into great distress. So far had the matter gone, that those who wished to worship the true God were in many cases driven from their homes, and lived in constant danger of violence from the foe. At a time when this sad condition was at its worst, the Lord, through Deborah, called upon His people to arise and drive the enemy from their borders.

Barak, of Kedesh, in the land allotted to Naphtali, was requested to lead the armed warriors of Zebulon and Naphtali against the mighty host of Sisera, captain of Jabin's army, Jabin being the heathen king of Canaan. Zebulon and Naphtali at that time could arm only ten thousand men for the war. Deborah in her song states that forty thousand had neither sword nor spear. These had, doubtless, through intrigue of the enemy, been prevented from procuring weapons for the fray. So the brave ten thousand went forth to meet the foe without the aid of their brethren.

There were many anxious hearts in Israel on the day of that sharp conflict. The chief officers among the people became so intensely concerned that many of them went with Deborah on foot to the scene of action, that, if possible, they might render helpful service for their country when the decisive hour should come. As the conflict was raging in the northwestern part of the land allotted to the Hebrews, there were strong cries to the Lord going heavenward from the dwellings of Reuben in the southeastern division of the tribal territory.

Barak with his little band ascended Mt. Tabor from the north, and Sisera led his armed host of idolaters up the Kishon valley until he came to the foothills a few miles south and west from the base of Tabor. The situation of the two armies was now such as to give Barak a great advantage in handling his forces, as the surface of the country in that vicinity was such that the nine hundred chariots of iron were an incumbrance rather than a means of strength.

The conflict began on territory belonging to Issachar, but the charioteers of Sisera's host retreated down the Kishon valley, and “Barak pursued after the chariots, and after the host, unto Harosheth of the Gentiles; and all the host of Sisera fell upon the edge of the sword; and there was not a man left.”

But while the chariots were driven down the river in trying to escape from Barak, Sisera fled on foot over or around Mt. Tabor to seek protection from Heber, a supposed friend, who lived on the opposite side of the mountain. It was there that the captain of this heathen host was smitten with a marlin pin by the hand of Jael, the wife of Heber, and perished in her tent.

But all this conflict did not arouse to action the inhabitants of Meroz. This community of easy-going people was situated a short distance east of the place where the first onset of battle began. So near were they to the scene of strife, that possibly they could hear the battle cry and the loud bugle call. Issachar, the chief of their tribe, gave a helping hand, and received honorable mention by Deborah and Barak in chanting the victor's song. But Issachar could not prevail upon the inhabitants of Meroz to enter their country's service even for a day.

The faithless people of Meroz doubtless thought Sisera's mighty army, so well armed with sword and spear, and nine hundred chariots of iron, would early slay the foe led by Barak, and then the superior wisdom of Meroz in staying at home in easy content would be loudly praised by all the tribes around. But their conclusions were illy drawn; for when the Lord by His prophet spoke, Gad, Asher, and Dan were rebuked for want of interest, but Meroz was bitterly cursed by the angel because the inhabitants had refused to help the cause of the Lord against a mighty foe.

This opportunity proved to be a final test to the inhabitants of Meroz. Their refusal to help in time of such great need brought upon them discouragement and everlasting disgrace. History gives no reference to the church at Meroz after that occasion. Modern geography does not mark the spot where that people dwelt. The angel's bitter curse was final, not because of what Meroz did, but because of what that people did not do.

As we study the song of Deborah and Barak, we think much about the work now given the Lord's people to do, and wonder if those churches which now refuse to help will be regarded by the angel as were the inhabitants of Meroz. How many will stay at home because they love not the work? In this campaign for the sale of “Christ's Object Lessons” will some remain idle because of their dread to work? Is not negligence now as wrong as it was then?

How many members at this time will be as courageous as Barak's ten thousand soldiers were? Who are like the forty thousand in Israel found without sword or spear? Cannot every division of God's people in this call be as faithful as were the tribes of Zebulon and Naphtali in the days of Barak and Deborah? Wm. Covert.